We recently talked with Sarah and Ron Mitchelson, literacy advocates and staunch supporters of Imagination Library. Sarah is a retired Pitt County Schools teacher and Ron is the Interim Chancellor at ECU. Below is their message of encouragement to the community, featured in our most recent newsletter for Imagination Library families.
“A few years ago we had the privilege of being part of the literacy coalition that brought Imagination Library to Pitt County. Did you know that Pitt County was one of the first DPIL participants in the state of NC? It was funded locally through contributions and now the NC General Assembly funds it. We want to thank you, Imagination Library families! By signing up, you understand that you are your child’s first and most important teacher. By reading to your child daily, you are strengthening the parent/child bond and ensuring that your child is learning new words, thinking new thoughts, and setting the foundation for independent reading. Maybe you think this is a small thing, but your child will go to Kindergarten ready to learn, because of the reading you have done at home.
Your child’s teacher will recognize your good work on the very first day of school! So, when you don’t think you can take one more request for the book you have already read two dozen times, do not give up. Take a deep breath, and read it again. There is something amazing going on in your child’s brain. We’ve seen it with our children and grandchildren, and it makes all the difference. Happy reading!”