In a heartwarming visit to Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School, Theresa Mitchell Dudley, Vice President of the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA), brought inspiration and encouragement to young students. As part of MSEA's Read Across America campaign, Dudley's visit aimed to promote literacy and foster a love for reading among children and teens by donating 20 diverse and engaging books to school libraries across Maryland.
From left are Julie Rankin, Higdon's reading resource teacher, Jacob Gerding, Higdon's school librarian, Shannon Finnegan, Ed.D., Higdon's principal, Dudley, Sean Heyl, president of the Education Association of Charles County (EACC), and Dedra Van Gelder, content specialist for CCPS library media.
Dudley's engagement at the school was not just about book donation. Sharing her personal journey, she connected with students by recounting her own childhood challenges, including dealing with ADHD and a tumultuous home life. Dudley emphasized the transformative role of educators, attributing her success to the teachers who supported and believed in her potential during her formative years. Her narrative not only served to inspire the students but also to underline the profound impact of teacher-student relationships.
The event also featured appearances by Sean Heyl, President of the Education Association of Charles County (EACC), and Dedra Van Gelder, Charles County Public Schools' Content Specialist for Library Media. Prior to Dudley's visit, Heyl and Van Gelder engaged the Higdon chorus students with a unique blend of reading and music, including a ukulele performance, illustrating the diverse ways in which educators can connect with and inspire their students.
Theresa Mitchell Dudley, vice president of the Maryland State Educators Association, recently visited Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School to donate 20 books to the school library on behalf of MSEA and read a book to Amy Segars fifth-grade class.
A highlight of the visit was Dudley reading "What's Your Name," a book written and illustrated by Bethanie Deeney Murguia. Through this story, she reinforced the importance of identity and self-acceptance, reminding students that their names hold significant value in defining who they are.
Dudley's journey from a substitute teacher in Prince George's County Public Schools to an elementary and middle school teacher, and ultimately to a leadership position within the teachers' union, serves as a beacon of hope and motivation. Her story is a testament to the potential within every student and the critical role educators play in unlocking that potential.
The donation of books to Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School is part of a broader effort by the MSEA to enhance the resources available to Maryland's school libraries. By providing a variety of engaging and diverse reading materials, the association aims to encourage a lifelong love of reading among students. This initiative is especially crucial in today's digital age, where fostering a reading habit in children and teens is both a challenge and a necessity for educational and personal development.
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