Let us remember, one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher, an change the world. 

-Matata Yousafzia 

I enjoy reading books about girls who look like me, have a similar life to me, and have pets like mine. 

Reading at first was fun. I loved being read to and "reading" to my stuffed animals in preschool. I had a horrible experience in Kindergarten. My first grade teacher made all the difference. She gave me strategies as well as coached my parents on how to help me at home. She is an example of how one teacher can change a student's education.

Similar to my childhood self, I still enjoy reading books where the character lives a similar life to me.

When I was in second grade my teacher choose a "writer of the month" and our work was displayed outside of our classroom. I remember this being a HUGE deal and getting so excited when I was chosen. The topic she gave us was along the lines of write about something you enjoy doing. 

Embarrassing as it is to admit, I wrote about brushing my hair.

As an adult I try to read for enjoyment daily. This may be blog posts, fictional novels, or educational articles. 

I should write more. The most I write is during my bible study. I would like to incorporate more writing/journaling of feelings and everyday life. 

As a teacher, I survey each of my students at the beginning of the school year. I want to know their most interested genres, characters, plots, etc. I share this with any teachers I may share the student with as well as our librarian. 

I encourage my student to take book previews and if its not the book for them, to put it back and choose another. 

We love to set reading stamina goals as a class. I let the students choose how many minutes to go up each time and what their prize should be.

I see myself in many of the students I have taught and are currently teaching. I try to give them strategies and talk through their struggles with them. 

When choosing a text I always try to keep in mind their interest and different topics we need to cover. 

I love to help parents help their students by giving them strategies to use at home.