This year WVEA visited several schools throughout the state during Read Across America week. The participating schools were in Cabell, Kanawha, Mineral, and Monongalia Counties. In celebration of Read Across America Day, WVEA members read a story aloud to one lucky grade level.

Assistant Principal Cammie McCourt read to first graders at Central City Elementary School. “I was so excited to participate in the celebration that encourages children to read. Our students loved the story Thank You, Neighbor by Ruth Chinn. Read Across America Day is a great opportunity to promote a love for reading to our students,” said McCourt. At Mary C. Snow Elementary School, KCEA Co-President Lynn Greter also read Thank You, Neighbor to kindergartners.

MCEA Treasurer/Kindergarten Teacher Beth Hardy read More-igami by Dori Kleber to kindergartners at Keyser Primary School. Ms. Hardy’s class enjoyed the book provided to them through a grant from NEA. “It was wonderful to see my students engaged in this spectacular story. All of them enjoyed the activity at the end of the book,” said MCEA President/School Counselor Blake Mangold. School Librarian Teresa Richardson read Thank You, Neighbor to kindergartners at Mountainview Elementary.

336 books were handed out to students during the Read Across America event. Students also received a pencil, a bookmark, and stickers in their goody bags. WVEA Organizational Development Specialists were onsite at the participating schools and held a gift card drawing for new members that joined WVEA at the event.

Want to plan a Read Across America event, but don’t know where to start? Visit qrco.de/betRuA.