Arissa Cervantes, a kindergarten teacher at Loma Park Elementary in Edgewood ISD, joined the Literacy Fellowship two years ago as a new teacher.
During some of the most formative years of her teaching career, the Fellowship has provided Arissa with ongoing literacy support, professional development, and access to high-quality books for her kindergarten students and their families throughout the school year.
For Arissa, the impact is something she can see not only in the number of books reaching children, but also in their growth as readers.
“The Literacy Fellowship is making visible gains in my classroom and school. Every kindergartener takes home books four times a year, resulting in a total of approximately 320 books distributed to students during one school year. Through access to these brand-new books, students learn to read and develop a stronger love for reading throughout the school year. By the end of the year, 70% of the students demonstrated reading growth. The impact of this program has been remarkable. Many of my students enter kindergarten with limited exposure to books at home and little confidence in their reading abilities. Throughout the year, students eagerly anticipated book distribution days and were excited to build their own personal libraries. I frequently heard students sharing stories about reading with siblings, parents, and grandparents at home.”— Arissa Cervantes, Kindergarten Teacher, Loma Park Elementary, Edgewood ISD
Arissa’s experience demonstrates what can happen when book access is paired with consistent teacher support throughout the school year. The books become part of a larger literacy experience, one that connects classroom instruction, reading growth, the joy of choosing and owning books, and opportunities for families to read together at home.
For a new teacher, that continuity also means having a network beside her as she develops her own literacy practices. Through the Literacy Fellowship, teachers like Arissa have opportunities to learn, implement new ideas, look at student growth, collaborate with other educators, and continue refining their instruction based on what their young readers need.
In just a few years, Arissa has already helped put hundreds of books into the hands and homes of young readers. But the impact can’t be measured by the number of books alone. It can also be seen in the children who are growing as readers, gaining confidence, and going home excited to share a story with someone they love.
