MPS Reads: North students spread the word about reading

Tili Webster walked into the classroom at Nellie Stone Johnson for her first time in front of kids as a reading ambassador. Her OshKosh overalls hung by one strap, her brown bandana matched her Converse high tops, and her long braids swung with enthusiasm as she read to the class.

If you think none of that matters, you are not looking at reading through a first grader’s eyes.

“How old are you?”

“I love your outfit!”

“I have an 18-year-old brother!”

The kids peppered Tili with questions and observations, clearly in awe of this North senior–a real, live teenager–who has come to spread the good word about reading. 

North High senior Tili Webster reads "Skin Again" to Nellie Stone Johnson first graders. Following the story, students participated in a self portrait art project.

The program is called “MPS Reads” and Tili is one of ten reading ambassadors from North High reading to several classrooms today. The high school students have been trained to engage the younger students in reading and other activities that promote comprehension and vocabulary. They’ll meet with the elementary students two more times before the school year is over, and may even be hired to help during summer school.

Tili said she jumped at this opportunity to be a reading role model for young students. “I remember always looking up to the big kids, they seemed so big and so old. Now, I’m in that spot to be a good influence on little kids and show them what they can be.”

“We want reading to be seen as cool and accessible to everyone,” said Instructional Equity Content Lead Courtney Johnson. “We want the little ones to see themselves in the older readers.”

Nellie Stone Johnson second graders show their reading boxes to North High junior Albert Green (top left); listen as Albert reads to them (bottom left); and junior Kymani Mclane-Taylor reads to her class (right).

North senior Kayla Brachman spent time with Nellie Stone Johnson second graders.

North reading ambassadors, juniors Kymani Mclane-Taylor (back left) and Amaris Altoro (right), pose with excited Nellie Stone Johnson kindergarteners.

Kimberly Bice, director of literacy instruction, says this kind of positive peer pressure works. “We want to hook ‘em young, so they love reading and see themselves as readers their entire lives.”

Seeing yourself in the material helps develop a love of reading, and that’s why the book “Skin Again” by bel hooks was chosen for today.

After finishing reading the book, Tili asked her students what they thought the main idea was.

Summing up their responses, she said, “The book is saying that the color of our skin is beautiful and amazing, but there are other things about us below the surface that are beautiful and amazing, too.”

For example, loving to read and sharing that passion with others.

North High reading ambassadors pose for a photo before heading to their classrooms for the second MPS Reads event on April 16.