Charleston English Teacher Seeks to Stock Bookshelves, Inspire Love of Reading
In Charleston, South Carolina, an English teacher at St. John’s High School has embarked on a mission to revitalize her classroom with a diverse selection of books. Madison Evans is reaching out to the public in a bid to generate support for her initiative that is aimed at cultivating a love of reading among her students regardless of their background.
The Power of English Literature
Evans, who teaches English I and English III, is a staunch believer in the transformative abilities of literary works. She passionately asserts that the correct book could be the catalyst that awakens a love for literature in her students. Using relatable books, she hopes to reach students from different backgrounds, including those from low-income households and non-native English speakers.
Limitations of Current Stock
Unfortunately, Evans noted a disheartening reality while attending to one of her student’s request for a good book. The limited diversity of her current bookshelves did not necessarily reflect the varied interests, cultures or experiences of her students. This pressing issue spurred her into action as she decided to enhance the diversity of her library.
A Fundraising Initiative
In a move to give her students access to a broad spectrum of literature, Evans has begun a series of projects on the fundraising platform Donors Choose. She aims to cater to varying tastes with the acquisition of romance, fantasy and suspense novels. This approach, as Evans believes, will work towards creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment that captivates each student’s interest.
Inclusion through Diverse Protagonists
Central to Evans’ initiative is her aim to present her students with books that contain diverse protagonists. By doing so, she wishes for her students to identify with the characters they read about, find their experiences resonating within the pages, and feel represented by their journeys.
How to Show Support
Public support is crucial towards achieving Evans’ goals. By contributing funds towards this cause, donors directly impact the reading experiences of these high school students. Donations are not only tax-deductible but are also efficiently managed by Donors Choose, ensuring they are appropriately used for book purchases. Evans’ projects will be active until late August or early September.
The Potential Impact
Evans firmly believes that enriching her library can create meaningful change in her students’ lives. A good book is not only a gateway to a different world but can also reflect real-life situations. Therefore, a well-diversified library could show students that they are not alone in their experiences and can provide comfort through relatability.
The boost in literary diversity that Evans advocates for extends beyond just reading. As she notes, it could lead to increased appreciation of English literature by her students, spark passion for the subjects taught, and even help to create a new generation of enthusiastic readers.
