Guest Speakers Motivate Early Readers

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child, several community leaders read to Charlton-Pollard, Dishman and Martin pre-K and kindergarten students.

“I am so grateful to my guest readers. They came with enthusiasm, kept our students engaged and made a difference,” said Parent Center Coordinator Henrietta Savoy. “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader!”

Guest readers included:

Phyllis Fernandez - First United Methodist Church

Bobby Jones - parent

Stacey Lewis Jr., Stacey Lewis Jr. Barber Grooming Studio

Michelle Rasa, West Brook High School PTA 

Pastor Wiley Rice - St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church 

Pastor Jessica Robbins - Life Church 

Dr. Teresa Simpson - Lamar University

Albert “AJ” Turner - AJ Turner Enterprises

Sabrina Cooper Whittley - tutoring instructor 

“Students were so excited not only to have a guest reader, but to get outside and hear some great books,” said Savoy. “With rain a few days, we improvised and read to students in the hallway or library.”

Some guests also incorporated projects for the children to enjoy. Robbins handed out pre-packaged colorful slime for each student to create different colors to accompany the book “Splatter” by Diane Adler.

“I had a super fun morning reading a book about teamwork to pre-K students at Dishman,” said Robbins. “We had a fabulous time.”