Alexandria, Va.— For NEA’s Read Across America, award-winning author and illustrator Juana Medina joined National Education Association and Alexandria City Public Schools leaders in a reading celebration with students from Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School in Alexandria, Va. The joy of reading and fun played center stage for the third-grade students at Tucker, who, after a read aloud from her book titled Juana and Lucas and a presentation by Medina, participated in a hands-on experience to create artwork of their own.
“NEA’s Read Across America offers an opportunity to celebrate a nation of diverse readers so that every student, no matter their place or race, can have access to age-appropriate books that open new possibilities and provide important lessons about ourselves and each other,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Books are like mirrors and windows. Not only do they reflect what we observe and know about the world in which we live, they also allow us to view and understand lives that are different from our own. They connect us, inspire us, and broaden our perspectives. Our students need access to the books they want to read and the freedom to make their own choices.”
For more than a quarter century, NEA’s Read Across America has raised awareness about the importance of reading and how reading is fun. With an estimated 45 million people participating, NEA’s Read Across America is the biggest reading celebration in the country. Reading events nationwide are more important than ever to ensure diverse, age-appropriate books are available to all students. At Tucker, nearly 100 third graders participated in a hands-on experience led by Medina designed to help students think about how to express their feelings through art and a discussion to reflect on their feelings about books, reading, and to draw a self-portrait of themselves as readers. For select photos of the event, please click here.
“Cultivating a love of reading at an early age sets the stage for lifelong learning,” said ACPS Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt. “Reading is critical for a student’s education as it builds their cognitive skills, language development and expands their creativity, ultimately improving their problem-solving skills.” “I am pleased ACPS had the opportunity to partner with the NEA to create such a dynamic experience for our students.”
About NEA’s Read Across America
Launched in 1998 by the National Education Association and guided by a committee of educators, NEA’s Read Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. This year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read via events, partnerships, and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone. The titles and resources featured by NEA’s Read Across America include books that students can see themselves reflected in, as well as books that allow readers to see a world or a character that might be different than them.
About Alexandria Public Schools
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) serves more than 16,000 students who hail from more than 119 countries and speak 121 languages. ACPS has 18 schools, including two middle schools, two K-8 schools, one pre-K school and the internationally recognized Alexandria City High School. ACPS is committed to putting racial equity at the heart of all decisions and ensuring that each and every student succeeds. Visit www.acps.k12.va.us.
***
Follow on Twitter at @NEAToday and @BeckyPringle
Keep up with the conversation: #ReadAcrossAmerica
Stay connected and engaged with the latest news, events and updates from ACPS by following us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @ACPSK12
Media Contact
- Miguel Gonzalez
- [email protected]
- Phone (202) 491-9532
