Reading, Skating, and Giving Back with Elena Compton
I’m at First Tuesdays, a gathering spot for your professional in Kanawha Valley. My guest today is Elena Compton, someone who embodies the spirit of the hustle in more ways than one. Elena introduces herself as the Development and Grants Manager for Read Aloud West Virginia, an organization dedicated to improving literacy rates across the state by encouraging children to read for fun and emphasizing the importance of book choice in their distributions.
As a parent, I can relate to the challenge of getting kids interested in reading. Elena shares that growing up with dyslexia made reading a chore for her, something she avoided whenever possible. She pretended to read her birthday cards, unwilling to admit the struggle she faced. For her, the breakthrough came when she discovered topics she truly enjoyed. That discovery shifted her perception of reading from a burdensome task to an opportunity to explore subjects that intrigued her. She suggests finding what kids are naturally interested in and providing them with books on that topic at different reading levels, allowing them to develop their skills at their own pace.
Our conversation turns to the balance between required reading and reading for pleasure. Elena believes that while it’s important for kids to cover their school material, it’s equally crucial to find something that genuinely interests them. This approach doesn’t just apply to traditional books but extends to digital formats as well. Elena admits she’s a bit of a nerd, always looking for threads and articles online about topics she’s curious about, demonstrating that reading in any form can be valuable.
Today, Elena is being recognized as the member of the month by Up Next Charlie West. She humbly downplays the accolade, reluctant to brag, but I encourage her to take a moment to acknowledge her achievement. She’s not just involved with Read Aloud; she’s also a part-time tutor at the Appalachian Reading Center, which focuses on teaching children with dyslexia how to read. This work is especially meaningful to Elena because she was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of eight and credits the Appalachian Reading Center with her success today. She’s gone through the entire Wilson Reading System and now gives back by mentoring children who face the same challenges she once did. The mentorship she provides is something she wishes she had growing up, and she finds deep satisfaction in helping these kids find their path.
Elena surprises me by mentioning that she’s also a figure skater. She’s been skating since she was three years old and began coaching at sixteen. While she’s not as active in coaching now, she still helps out with learn-to-skate programs and considers figure skating a lifelong passion.
Our conversation wraps up with Elena sharing her involvement with the WIN Academy Advisory Board, a new charter school through Bridge Valley Technical Institute. The academy offers high school juniors the opportunity to finish their high school education early and pursue degrees in nursing and manufacturing. The program is completely free of charge and accepts 60 students per semester. Elena encourages those interested to visit the WIN Academy website and reach out to her if they have any questions. As I thank Elena for her time, I’m reminded of the incredible impact one person can have on their community. Through her work with Read Aloud West Virginia, her tutoring at the Appalachian Reading Center, her passion for figure skating, and her role on the Win Academy Advisory Board, Elena is making a difference in the lives of many. She exemplifies what it means to be a hustler in Kanawha Valley—dedicated, multifaceted, and committed to helping others succeed.