Having a strong leader who promotes literacy and creativity can truly make a school a better place to learn and grow. Read about some stellar leaders who have taken ideas and promoted them in their school, allowing teachers to take risks. Students flourish in schools where teachers and leaders celebrate creativity.
Leaders Who Promote Literacy and Creativity
International Dot Day began at my school in 2009 with a fourth grade class. The elementary counselor, Teresa O’Meara, and I talked to the kids about making their mark and the kids made dots.
Josh Youel
In 2012, I asked the principal, Josh Youel, if we could celebrate with the entire elementary. He instantly said, “Yes!” In addition to agreeing, he went into action by climbing up into the press box on the football field to take this photo.
The next year, the high school participated by making dots on their devices and Mr. Youel climbed up on scaffolding to take this epic photo..
Also in 2013, Mr. Youel climbed up on the scoreboard in the endzone of the football field to take this photo of the elementary students and teachers.
Josh Youel retired at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. We hope our big Dot Day activities continue with our new leader.
Dr. Belinda George
Outside of my school, you might have seen Dr. Belinda George on the news, Good Morning America, or The Steve Harvey show. She is a principal in Beaumont, Texas who reads a picture book to her students at Homer Drive Elementary every Tuesday night via Facebook Live.
Dr. George wasn’t sure if her scholars were being read a bedtime book, so she started Tucked In Tuesdays. Check out this Washington Post article about Dr. George to be further inspired.
Andrew Meister
This year my secondary school has a new principal, Andrew Meister. Mr. Meister is a frequent participant in the Morning Book Club and the kids and I are very excited by that. Imagine what it must feel like being a book loving student and having your principal come to your book group! Many memories were made this year when Mr. Meister came to the group.
Bill Schlacht
Bill Schlacht has promoted creativity and literacy by getting all staff and students on board for Dot Day since he came to Wye School. Theresa Wells-Taylor writes, “For Dot Day, he will do anything. If we dream it, he will support us. He helped organize the school photo we did last year for Dot Day.
He often can be found reading books to classes. He helped form our DotPLC by getting Start with a Dot (Guided Journal): A Journal For Making Your Mark for staff who wanted to be on the committee and he is also a member.
Bill supports any teacher or student who wants to run with something. He promotes creativity by just allowing us to take risks. He lets us be ourselves and follow our passions.
He knows my love for Dot Day and he raises the excitement level by talking to kids about it.. Just this past April for National Poetry Month, he read a poem over the intercom three times a week, to promote that creative form as well, which sparked students coming into the office and asking to share poems with Mr. Schlacht.”
Meeting Steve Moore at a few conferences has made me a huge fan of this principal. Each time I see him, he is wearing his famous Dot pants! Mary Alice Ramsey writes of her principal, Mr. Moore, “I am so blessed to work with Steve Moore! I knew it would be different than any other experience when in my interview I was asked, ‘How creative are you?’
#OWLSOME
Working with Steve has sparked for me a creativity I didn’t know existed within me. Along with a team of teachers, he’s branded our school with #owlsome; created a theme for each school year and embraced that theme throughout the year.
If there is a challenge or situation that needs a solution, we are encouraged to be creative and think outside the box.” Steve Moore is the principal at Oakview Elementary in Apex, North Carolina.
In the comments of this post, share what your principal does to inspire creativity and promote literacy!
Books on the Horizon
BUNNY IN THE MIDDLE by Anika Aldamuy Denise and Christopher Denise has been shared by many Morning Book Club members in their best of the best posts. A delightful book sharing the struggles and joys of being in the middle. July 2, 2019 from Henry Holt
ITTY BITTY WITCH by Trisha Speed Shaskan and illustrated by Xindi Yan is the book you need for your itty bitty friends who are ready to make big leaps. Available July 16, 2019 from Two Lions
Top Morning Book Club Books
(*As Chosen by Caleb and Zach)
Before they graduated in May, I asked Morning Book Club members Zach and Caleb to choose their all-time favorite Morning Book Club books.
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Here are their picks:
BUNNY SLOPES by Claudia Rueda. Chronicle Books
THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES by B.J. Novak. Dial Books
COME WITH ME by Holly M. McGhee and Pascal Lemaitre. G.P. Putnam and Sons
THE WHALE IN THE SWIMMING POOL by Joyce Wan Farrar. Strauss and Giroux
SUPER POOPER AND WHIZZ KID POTTY POWER by Eunice Moyle and Sabrina Moyle. Abrams Books
TINY T. REX AND THE THE IMPOSSIBLE HUG by Jonathan Stutzman and illustrated by Jay Fleck. Chronicle Books
SNAPPSY THE ALLIGATOR (Did Not Ask to Be In This Book) by Julie Falatko and illustrated by Tim Miller.
Viking Books for Young Readers
PETRA by Marianna Coppo was picked by Caleb. Tundra Books
THE EPIC ADVENTURES OF HUGGIE AND STICK by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by David Spencer. Philomel Books
DEAR DRAGON by Josh Funk and illustrated by Rodolfo Montalvo. Viking Books for Young Readers
BEARNARD'S BOOK by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Misa Saburi. Henry Holt and Co.
DANDY by Ame Dyckman and illustrations by Charles Santoso. Little Brown Books for Young Readers
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I thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to Zach and Caleb! How awesome that HS students, especially graduating seniors, are willing to read and then share their favorite picture books!! Well done, guys!!
Thank you so much, Janice! They are wonderful men and they truly love books!