2 Moreno Valley teachers inspire students to raise reading levels

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- English 180 at Vista Del Lago High School in Moreno Valley is helping to change the lives of several students one book at a time.

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"When I use to read I was a slow reader but now I can read up to ten pages in the class, probably more if I stay focused in it," said student Omar Navarro.

He credits John and Trenquilla Francis for the focus. The husband-and-wife teaching team teach mostly freshman with remedial reading skills.

"All of our students start out at a 5th grade reading level or below and our goal is by the end of the year to have them as close as possible to grade level," John said.

This year, students have jumped up between three to five grade levels. That is the largest gain in reading comprehension the couple has seen in their 10 years of teaching the course, which means they are about to fulfill a promise they make each year to students but have never come close to actually doing.

"We offer to take them all to Disneyland," John said.

But first the class, as a team, must boost their average Lexile test score by 300 points. All three classes are very close.

"For 28 students or I don't know how many, that's a lot of money to spend and I'm like amazed, like 'wow, they really care for our education,'" said student Jada Santiago.

The Francis' will pay for the tickets out of their own pockets. It's not the first time they've spent money to benefit students.

"The district was very kind and got us seven NOOKS, but all the books were from us," Trenquilla said.

These books have taken students to places in their imagination and now it may earn them a trip to the happiest place on Earth.