Dunamis Literacy Clinic

In Response to COVID-19:

Immanuel Christian School Launches Saturday Literacy Clinic to Support the Community in this time of Remote Learning for Public Schools

Hazleton, PA - August 22, 2020—Immanuel Christian School announced today that it is

launching the Dunamis Literacy Clinic beginning October 3rd, for children in 3rd through 10th

grade. This strategic effort is being launched to meet the increasing literacy needs in the broader Hazleton community, especially during this time of uncertainty in education. It will be led by Immanuel Christian School’s new Academic Coach, Tiffany Joyner. Ms. Joyner also serves as a family coach with the Agora Charter School in the Greater Philadelphia area. She has been an English Language Educator for both youth and adults, implementing ESL curriculums for select organizations. Ms. Joyner is currently a doctoral student in literacy through Hofstra University and has her Master’s in Education from Baptist Bible College, her BA in English from Michigan State University and her TOESL Certification from Oxford Seminars.

The literacy clinic has after school and Saturday morning sessions available, which include two hours of instruction, along with a 45-minute online group session. The goal is to help every student reach their academic potential through ongoing group work, assessments, and

independent literacy projects. The program includes bi-weekly drills and assessments, monthly progress reports, weekly homework assignments, and a healthy snack. The clinic will be offered Saturday mornings from 9–11AM and again from 12–2PM.

“Dunamis is a Greek concept that means power, potential or ability. Over fifty percent of

Immanuel Christian School students come from economically disadvantaged families and many are children of immigrants. As a school, we have come to see that there is a great need in the city of Hazleton for literacy services because of the large percentage of first-generation native Spanish speakers from Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and other locations. We are grateful to have Ms. Joyner coming at this critical time in our community,” says Susan Selby, the CEO of Immanuel Christian School.

“I am passionate about literacy and so excited about this opportunity to foster and nurture the

needs of those desiring to enhance their basic literacy goals. To do this in partnership with

“Bless the city...Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” - Jeremiah 29:7

Immanuel Christian School is more than I could ask for. I look forward to meeting families in the Hazleton community and serving its students, especially those for whom English is not their first language,” says Ms. Joyner.

The benefits of literacy clinic offerings include:

• Improved reading fluency

• Increased self-esteem as students are empowered to communicate

• Personalized instruction for English Language Learners

• Assessments that supplement the classroom

Tuition is only $25 per child per week and is open to any child in the Greater Hazleton area.

Students do not have to attend Immanuel Christian School. If interested, please email

dunamis@icshazleton.org or call (570) 459-1111. Registration is available at icshazleton.org/dunamis. Education is being transformed in the midst of this pandemic. The Dunamis literacy clinic is breaking down divides of access and equity. Immanuel Christian School looks forward to contributing to the education of Hazleton’s children during this critical time.

Immanuel Christian School in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, celebrated its 40th anniversary of teaching students of Luzerne County in 2019. In 2015 its board made a significant shift to impact the City of Hazleton. Immanuel Christian School envisions dramatically impacting the city of Hazleton by empowering generations of diverse students, through Christ-centered education, to love God, serve others, and bless the world. Its mission is to provide a financially accessible, grace-filled, Christ-centered education shaping students to become lifelong learners who serve their community with integrity.

For the 2020-2021 academic school year, Immanuel Christian School is offering a hybrid learning environment for its students, along with an optional choice for full-remote instruction. If you are interested in enrolling, please contact the admissions director at admissions@icshazleton.org. For questions related to the Dunamis Literacy Clinic, email

dunamis@icshazleton.org.