Nehemias
When Nehemias first walked through the doors of Branches as a brand-new Kindergartener, he was quiet, observant, and unsure—he didn’t speak English yet, and everything around him felt unfamiliar. But from day one, his teachers saw something special in him: a spark of curiosity, a gentle determination, and a heart ready to grow.
Ms. Dreena, his Branches’ classroom teacher, recognized his potential and immediately stepped in to support him both academically and emotionally. She worked closely with Nehemias every day, encouraging him to participate, celebrate small victories, and feel safe in his learning environment. She also made it a point to partner with his mother, offering strategies and resources that could be used at home. Together, they created a consistent, nurturing routine—reading books every night, practicing letters and sounds, and turning bedtime into a time for learning and bonding.
At the same time, Mrs. Karen, our reading specialist, brought Nehemias into small group sessions that focused on foundational literacy skills. From phonics and alphabet recognition to building vocabulary and reading fluency, Nehemias received personalized attention designed to help him close the language gap and grow in confidence.
And grow he did. Over time, the shy little boy who once hesitated to speak, began raising his hand, reading aloud with excitement, and eagerly participating in class activities. His joy became contagious, and his classmates rallied around him, creating a supportive learning community.
All of this hard work and love bore incredible results: Nehemias scored a 98 on the State Reading and Comprehension Exam—an extraordinary achievement for a student who didn’t speak English just months before. Even more impressive, he is now reading confidently at a second-grade level.
Recently, Nehemias’ mom came to Branches to express her deep gratitude. With tears in her eyes, she thanked Ms. Dreena and Mrs. Karen for believing in her son and for pouring so much care, time, and guidance into his development.
Nehemias’ story is a beautiful example of what’s possible when families and educators work hand-in-hand, and when a child is surrounded by consistent encouragement and high expectations. At Branches, we don’t just teach—we build bridges of trust, confidence, and hope. And for Nehemias, those bridges have opened up a future full of possibility.
