Inspiring readers, building leaders: Leith Walk Elementary/Middle School celebrates Read Across America

By Ronald Christian Jr.
Special to the AFRO

In 1998, the National Education Association started Read Across America, a year-round program designed to inspire students across the country to be avid readers. In honor of one of the most prolific authors of all time, Dr. Seuss, the NEA started their annual weeklong and monthlong celebrations on March 2–Dr. Seuss’ birthday. On March 7,  Leith Walk Elementary/ Middle School held a daylong celebration that entailed guest speakers encouraging their students to be the best that they can be. 

City Council President Zeke Cohen (D-District 1) and Deputy Chief Academic Officer Taiisha Swinton-Buck read to eager elementary school students. Baltimore City Police representatives Maj. Joanne Waller, Capt. Scott Swenson, Sgt. Marlon Harry, Officer Monica Cooper and Officer Alexia Davis spoke to students about their commitment to fostering better community relationships and the responsibilities of policing their community. Baltimore’s own Carter Davis – a defensive back for the Boston College Eagles football team – spoke to students about his journey as a student athlete. Associate organizer for Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development Sameka Turner spoke to students about her childhood and the power of one’s voice. All in all, it was a day of inspiration and education that hopefully encouraged youth to be active readers and leaders in their communities.

According to the 2022 National Assessment of Education Progress, 37 percent of fourth-graders perform below the basic reading level. The studies show that low-income communities and communities of color experienced the greatest decline in proficiency. While this information can be disheartening, the students in the city are inching towards closing the gap. Earlier in the school year, City Schools reported that there was a 13 to 16 percentage point increase in middle school literacy since 2016. Deputy Chief Academic Officer Taiisha-Swinton Buck spoke on what has led to the exponential growth students are experiencing, this was her response:

“I think that it is attributed to the high quality instructional materials that we have adopted and the investment in professional learning that we made for our teachers. So we know that the more that we empower our teachers with the resources that they need for what happens in the classroom every day, the better off our students will [be] as far as state testing and different benchmarks,” she said.

There is still plenty more ground to be gained as disparities persist, fueled by a number of factors ranging from structural inequality to socioeconomic conditions. It is going to take the full commitment of students, parents and educators to raise our standards for excellence. Efforts such as Read Across America do a great job of inspiring the next generation of leaders to commit to their personal growth in meaningful and engaging ways. 

The presence of leaders who are passionate about our students’ well-being and doing the work outside of the classroom is essential to inspiring our students to stay in the classroom and make the most of their current opportunities to build future success. Events such as the Read Across America celebration at Leith Walk Elementary/ Middle School blend all that is required to support the sustainable growth and development of the future leaders of Baltimore and the nation at large.

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