At Southeast Career Pathways, 11th and 12th grade students are broadening their literary horizons thanks to the Diverse Books initiative for their classroom library. This initiative is particularly impactful as the school, unfortunately, lacks a dedicated librarian or a functioning building library. Kristen Strojny, a GRPS educator at the school, has taken it upon herself to provide a rich and varied collection of books through her classroom library.
The Importance of Diverse Books
Kristen explains, “Students use my classroom library to borrow books to read in class and on their own time.” Support from the Teacher Innovation Fund helps students “access diverse authors and characters, allowing them to connect with books.” This support is crucial in offering students access to books that reflect a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
Engaging Students with Varied Interests
The new additions to the library include sports-related novels, graphic novels, and other genres that cater to the varied interests of the students. Kristen believes that having new, relevant books will boost participation and engagement during independent reading time and related activities. “We have students with reading levels across the board, so I need to have a wide range of books to meet all of my students’ needs,” she says. Her goal is to engage even the most reluctant readers, helping them build confidence in their reading abilities and discover the joy of reading.
Long-Term Impact
These books are set to impact approximately 60 students during the remainder of this school year, with the potential to benefit many more in the years to come. The excitement among students is palpable, with many expressing their enthusiasm about the new books and the variety of topics, genres, formats, and characters they will be able to explore.
Kristen’s efforts are a testament to the power of diverse literature in fostering a love for reading and learning among students. As these books find their way into the hands of eager readers, they will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the Southeast Career Pathways community.
