Nancy Moretti, Ed.S.’s Post

Happy Children's Day! 🌟 On this Children's Day, let's remember the power of education in shaping future leaders. Let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible potential within every child. When we invest in children's education, we're investing in a brighter, more innovative future for all of us. Think back to your own childhood. Remember the teacher who made a subject come alive for you, or the moment when a new concept just clicked? Those experiences became building blocks of who we are right now. It's much more than textbooks and classrooms; it's about inspiring a love for learning and nurturing their unique talents and dreams. Let's commit to supporting and advocating for quality education for every child. Whether it's through volunteering, mentoring, or simply encouraging a child's interests and questions, every small action counts. Wishing all the children and the child in all of us a joyful and inspiring Children's Day! P.S: What's your best Children's Day memory? Let's relieve those memories 😃😅 #neweeek #Children'sDay #Mondayvibes #thefinancebridger #DigitalMarketing

Celebrating Literacy Champions: The Unsung Heroes Shaping Our Future Today, I want to celebrate and honor the literacy advocates—teachers, specialists, and administrators—who wake up every day not only to teach students how to read but also to see the potential in every student. Today, we honor their resilience, dedication, and impact, especially as they navigate various challenges. Despite the unprecedented impact of the pandemic, including unfinished learning, budget cuts, teacher shortages, and the devastating shadow of school shootings, these champions remain steadfast. Their work isn't just about teaching students to read—it's about unlocking futures, creating opportunities, and ensuring every child has a voice through literacy. I ask that each of us pause to reflect on their courage and commitment. We see you, we value you, and we stand with you. Here are five ways we can support our community of our courageous literacy advocates: 1. Advocate for Adequate Funding: Support local initiatives for better school funding to ensure that literacy programs are fully supported and resourced. 2. Ask a Teacher: Want to ensure that your support is truly impactful? Contact a teacher directly and ask them what they need to help their students succeed. If you don’t know a teacher personally, start with the principal—principal and teacher emails can usually be found on the district’s website. Tailoring your support to their needs maximizes its effectiveness. 3. Donate Supplies or Time: Schools and teachers are often stretched thin. Donating books, classroom supplies, or even your time by volunteering for literacy programs can help ease the burden. 4. Champion Mental Health Support: Teachers and school staff face regular emotional stress. Advocating for mental health resources and school services ensures that these advocates are cared for, too. 5. Raise Awareness: Use your platform to amplify the stories of educators and literacy specialists. Sharing their challenges and triumphs can inspire community action and support. Together, we can ensure these literacy advocates have the resources and support they need to build a brighter future for our children. 💡 How are you supporting the literacy advocates in your community? #LiteracyMatters #EducationHeroes #TeacherAppreciation #SupportOurEducators #CommunityImpact

It's Teacher Appreciation Week!    But let's be honest, shouldn't EVERY week be about celebrating  amazing educators? This week, we shower our educators with love (and maybe some coffee!). But let's not forget the real message: Teachers INSPIRE. Think back to a teacher who made a difference. The one who saw your potential, believed in your dreams, or made learning FUN.  They ignited a spark that's still burning today. Now, hear me out...  Teachers can't keep shining bright without support. They need resources, manageable workloads, and most importantly, to be valued by our communities. So, this week, let's do more than say thanks.  Let's advocate for our educators. Let's contact our representatives and demand they prioritize education. Let's show our teachers they're not alone – they're a whole constellation! Here's how YOU can make a difference: -Share your teacher appreciation story!  -Tag your favorite educator and let the world know their impact.  -Get involved!  -Look up education advocacy groups in your area.  -Support your local schools!Volunteer, donate supplies, or simply attend school board meetings. Together, we can ensure that every teacher has the tools and support they need to keep inspiring the next generation! Thank you to the National Education Association for supporting me in elevating teacher voices! #Teachers #TeacherAppreciation #ThankATeacher #TeachersInspire #InvestInEducation #AccomplishedTeaching

Happy Teachers’ Day! 🌟 Today, 5-9-2024, is a special day to honor and celebrate the teachers who shape our lives and our futures. But what makes Teachers' Day so important, and why do we celebrate it today? What is Teachers' Day? 🎓 Teachers' Day is a day dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the incredible impact that teachers have on our lives. It’s a celebration of their dedication, passion and hard work in nurturing our minds, encouraging our growth and helping us reach our fullest potential. Why Celebrate Teachers? ✨ 🌺 Guidance: Teachers guide us on our educational journey, imparting not just knowledge but also values and life skills. 🌺 Inspiration: They inspire us to dream big, to think critically, and to believe in ourselves even when we don't. 🌺 Support: Teachers are our greatest cheerleaders, standing by us through challenges and triumphs, ensuring we are never alone on our path. 🌺 Impact: The lessons taught by teachers often extend beyond textbooks, influencing who we become as individuals and how we contribute to the world. How to Show Your Appreciation? 📝 - Express Gratitude: Reach out to your teachers and mentors. Let them know how much they have impacted your life. - Give Back: Support their efforts, whether through volunteering, donating to educational causes, or simply being a respectful and enthusiastic learner. - Celebrate Their Success: Share your achievements with your teachers; knowing they have made a difference can be the greatest reward. Today, 5-9-2024, is the perfect day to celebrate the teachers in our lives. Let’s honor them for their relentless dedication, love and the countless ways they shape our futures. 🌍 As the famous saying goes: "A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination and instill a love of learning." Take a moment today to recognize the teachers who have made a difference in your life. Drop a comment below to appreciate your teachers! 🌸 Who are you celebrating today? #HappyTeachersDay #Gratitude #ThankYouTeachers #Inspiration

🌟 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🍎 This week, let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible educators who inspire, challenge, and shape our future leaders. While I wish our government legislators would all agree teachers are invaluable and pay them according to their societal contribution and educational achievements, here are some small gesture we can do in the meantime. Here are some wonderful ways to show our appreciation: 1. **Heartfelt Letters** ✍️: A personal note can mean the world. Share how a teacher has positively impacted you or your child's life. 2. **Thoughtful Gifts** 🎁: Surprise them with gift cards, plants, or even homemade treats to brighten their day. 3. **Supply Donations** 📚: Contribute classroom supplies to help lessen the burden on teachers’ pockets. 4. **Public Recognition** 🏆: Use social media or school events to publicly acknowledge their hard work and dedication. 5. **Professional Growth** 📈: Support their career development with opportunities for further education and training. 6. **Advocacy** 📢: Advocate for better working conditions, fair pay, and strong support systems in our schools. 7. **Volunteer** 👐: Offer your time to help with classroom activities or administrative tasks. 8. **Celebrate on Social Media** 🌐: Share your stories and appreciation posts online to spread positivity and recognition. Teachers are the backbone of our society, nurturing the minds that will one day lead and innovate in every field imaginable. Let’s make sure they feel valued and supported not just this week, but every day. Thank you to all the teachers out there; your impact is truly immeasurable! 🌍💼🎨🔬 #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher #Education

📚🌟 Happy International Children's Book Day from People Utopia! 🌟📚 Today, we celebrate the magic of storytelling and the joy of reading with children around the world. 🌍💫 At People Utopia, we believe that children's literacy and curiosity are the building blocks of a brighter future. By nurturing a love for reading from a young age, we empower children to explore new worlds, expand their imaginations, and develop vital skills for success. 🚀✨ Here are some tips on how you can get involved: 📖 Read with a child: Share the magic of storytelling by reading aloud with the children in your life. Whether it's a classic fairy tale or a new adventure, every story opens doors to imagination and learning. 🌈 Support literacy programs: Volunteer your time or donate books to organizations that promote children's literacy in your community. Every child deserves access to books and the opportunity to discover the wonders of reading. 🎨 Encourage creativity: Inspire children to create their own stories through writing, drawing, or imaginative play. Celebrate their unique voices and ideas, and watch their confidence and creativity soar. Do you remember the first book(s) you wrote at school (or even as an adult? We'd love to hear in the comments section! Together, let's ignite a passion for reading and learning that will light the way to a brighter tomorrow. 🌟📚 #InternationalChildrensBookDay #ChildrensLiteracy #PeopleUtopia

Are we really serious about literacy in early childhood centres? Take this Educational Leaders challenge. Start a reflective discussion. Act. 1️⃣Who is your Centre ‘librarian‘? 2️⃣Who keeps a watch for new and interesting books? 3️⃣Who challenges Educators in book selection? 4️⃣Who runs the ongoing professional learning on reading stories? 5️⃣Who supports new Educators with their story reading skills? 6️⃣What is your budget for books for this financial year? 7️⃣Who manages your membership of the local library? 8️⃣Who collates book donations from families? 9️⃣Who checks your centre collection for books in home languages? 1️⃣0️⃣Are stories read by Educators in their home language? 1️⃣1️⃣Who knows where to find books on specific inclusion topics? 1️⃣2️⃣Do you share a literacy strategy across the age groups? 1️⃣3️⃣What professional learning have you all done on literacy? 1️⃣4️⃣Do you celebrate First Nations stories? 1️⃣5️⃣How many new words do your children hear from Educators? 1️⃣6️⃣ Do your children hear funny jokes, rhymes, raps and poems, and silly sounding words? If not you, then who?

A 'Dropout', a 'Failed children' story starts with a one tiny miss! We can stop it. #Monthly_Fundraiser #Learning_Companions #DonateForLC It was one of the regular field visit days. Jayesh, a sweet 9-year-old boy, hesitated and refused when his teacher asked him to come closer and try to learn some letters and words. He responded, “Didi, mujhe nahi aayega, aap bas likhne ko dedo” ("Didi, I won't be able to do it, just give me something to write"). The ‘learned fear’ that ‘it is too tough for me’ was stopping Jayesh from giving it a try. One moment, I thought, the teacher needs to be prepared to support and handle a kid like this, give him the confidence, and get him ready to learn. But the very next thought was realization of a frustrating barrier, “This is already September end. Jayesh’s family would start migration in another 3-4 weeks. How much preparation the teacher will get and how many opportunities will she get with Jayesh to get him to read, before his family migrates and we just lose him?” Jayesh was already 9, another year of this learned helplessness and he will drop out of school, without acquiring one of the most powerful life tools, the ability to read. I was literally seeing one more child lead to that fate right in front of my eyes, and I saw very less I could do about it. My own sense of helplessness was heart-wrenching, a story repeating so many times in so many such visits to the Bharwad hamlets. This year, fortunately, was a bit different. We have recognized this challenge. We have been able to do rather little to change it, but we have definitely done a few things that made some difference to these stories. One of those things was the decision to create a residential summer space for some of these children. Jayesh, fortunately, was one of the kids who could join this space. 2 months of engagement, and I could witness the most satisfying magic manifest in front of my eyes. Jayesh found his rhythm, he built the confidence that ‘he can’, and today he reads, well enough that now he is supporting his teachers to teach reading to more children from his hamlet. The number 41.41% has so many of these stories that the numbers can’t tell. We hope to build many more of those. Learning Companions Help us building these stories with more strength and reach. Donate today! https://lnkd.in/dBKKy5en

I trust if I keep posting the facts, eventually enough of the right people will understand why REED Charitable Foundation exists, how the literacy crisis is enormous and growing and how it truly impacts us all. I also trust that those same people will also see the tremendous, collective opportunity we have to positively change literacy outcomes for ALL - children and adults. It starts with training and supporting the educators, tutors and educational professionals that are entrusted to ensure everyone can read. That is a fundamental part of our programming REED Charitable Foundation. And we make it accessible. What could be better or more life-changing?!?! Join us! (Excerpts from the attached article) “Two-thirds of American 4th graders who can’t read at grade level […] will soon be adults who can’t read.  The 95% of 8th-graders in Detroit who can’t read proficiently? Same.  And then what? Forty-eight million adult Americans read below the third grade level. Forbes Magazine reported in 2020 that the plague of low literacy skills could be costing the US $2.2 trillion annually in health care, social services, and lost wages. Worse, low literacy is handed down to children; the biggest indicator of a child’s literacy fate lies in the mother’s reading level If the numbers of children currently reading below grade level are correct, we are heading into an even worse adult literacy crisis than we have now. The rallying cry for effective instruction methods for children is loud and clear. But it is time to sound the bell for the refugees of the broken reading education system as well: all those children who didn’t learn and are now adults, still not reading.”

“Recently, I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with my friends and colleagues Amanda Alexander Philip Poekert and James Pond. Together, we discussed the crucial role of home libraries in children’s development and how we’re advocating for programs that ensure every child has access to their own collection of books. It was an enlightening conversation, and I’m grateful to have been part of it. Access to a variety of books at home gives children a chance to practice the skills they’re learning at school. This practice is essential for reinforcing their literacy and comprehension outside the classroom. Additionally, when home libraries cater to children’s interests, they become even more powerful. Kids are more likely to read books that catch their eye and engage their curiosity, making the learning experience both enjoyable and effective. Independent reading is another cornerstone of literacy that home libraries support. It allows children to explore at their own pace, fostering a sense of autonomy and confidence in their reading abilities. Independent reading is critical for developing critical thinking and comprehension skills, as it encourages children to engage with material that challenges them and sparks their imagination. However, not every child has this opportunity. In the U.S., about 25% of children grow up without easy access to books that resonate with their personal interests or support their learning needs. This gap is more than just an educational issue; it’s a barrier to discovering the joy of reading. But there’s good news. Studies have shown that even a small number of books at home can make a significant difference in a child’s reading ability and academic success. Our advocacy work focuses on supporting programs that provide books to children, aiming to create personalized home libraries that spark a lifelong love for reading. Let’s keep pushing forward to ensure every child has the chance to build their own home library. Whether through donating books, supporting literacy programs, or sharing this message, we can make a difference. Together, we can help children discover new worlds through reading, one book at a time. #HomeLibraries #ChildrensLiteracy #Advocacy #ReadingIsFundamental #BookAccess #LiteracyMatters #ReadersOfTheFuture #EducationForAll #BuildAReader #EarlyLiteracy #BooksForKids #ReadingAdvocacy #EmpowerWithBooks”