Read Across America Day is a national celebration taking place annually on March 2, which is Dr. Seuss’s birthday, and each year, participation in the program escalates.  This year, approximately 45 million readers joined in the festivities. Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Jonathan Schwartz and Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (DELPS) alumna Rebecca Hoyt, and professors Margaret Hale, Eleanore Tyson, Suzanne DaVanon, and Milena Keller-Margulis joined members of the UH football team in reading aloud to the students of the UH Charter School.

“I had the privilege of being a guest reader at the UH Charter School's celebration of Read Across America Day,” said Hoyt.  “It was a pure joy spending a few hours with the students at the school.  I read What Principals Do When No One Is Looking by Jim Grant and Irv Richardson.  What a wonderful way to begin my day.” 

Each year on Read Across America Day, schools, libraries, and community centers organize games and activities that help build bridges between books and readers of all ages. Charter school students read Dr. Seuss stories aloud to their classmates and teachers, and in turn, College of Education professors, alumni, and the UH football players read to them. Tyus Bowser, a senior linebacker for the UH football team, says, “It’s been a while since I read a Dr. Seuss book, and being able to do it for the kids was awesome.”

In addition to being fun, activities like reading aloud help children acquire early language skills. Events like Read Across America build a nation of readers. “I was proud to be part of an event that encourages and emphasizes the importance of reading,” said Schwartz.