Literacy Connects’ Reading Seed program is working hard to make sure that students throughout Pima County have access to high quality (read here – fun and exciting!) books both in their classrooms and at home. To help make that goal a reality, Reading Seed staff select two teachers every month to receive a donation of 250 books for their classroom library.
Meet our November 2013 winners!!
| Teacher: Nina Jolly, Kindergarten |
| Peter Howell, November 21, 2013 |
As Violet entered Howell School November 21, she came upon a Reading Seed coach in her native habitat! We love to see the coaches who visit the Lending Library and Free Book Area at the office on Silverlake doing their thing out “in the wild!” Not only is this coach reading weekly with students, she has stepped-up to improve the school by volunteering as an attendance clerk, filling a need due to staff cutbacks.
After catching up with the coach, Violet headed over to Nina Jolly’s kindergarten class where the students and teacher were eagerly awaiting their book delivery. “Peter Howell School serves many people who have low income. This is the first exposure to books for some of the children. They love to learn from books, but have little exposure.”
| Teacher: Miriam Grijalva, 5th grade |
| Pueblo Gardens, November 25, 2013 |
When she started at Pueblo Gardens Elementary, Miriam Grijalva walked into a 1st grade classroom to find nearly empty shelves. A year later, she switched to 5th grade and was disheartened to find a similar scene.
New shelves, same story: few books, most of which were outdated and held little interest for her students craving the freshest stories. Recognizing Miriam’s big jump to teaching a different age and reading level, Pueblo Gardens’ Reading Intervention Specialist recommended that she apply for Reading Seed’s Books for Teachers Program so that her new5th grade classroom would have access to books that they wouldn’t want to put down.
On Monday, November 25, Reading Seed staff hand delivered books specially selected for this older audience by RS library coordinator Violet Kennedy. We wish many happy adventures in reading to Ms. Grijalva’s 5th grade class!
Know a teacher who could use some free books for their classroom? Click here to learn how to apply.
What a great way to honor and support teachers in the classroom! Congratulations Ms. Grijalva and way to go Reading Seed!