Students in Marietta, Georgia, are getting a fresh approach to learning how to read, and A.L. Burruss Elementary School's methods are setting the standard. Principal Jillian Johnson, who doubles as a parent of two students at the school, is seen strolling through the halls, a testament to her deep-rooted investment in the educational environment. Her frequent check-ins at her daughters' classrooms offer her a firsthand look at the revamped reading programs, as reported by WABE.
During a winter visit, Johnson observed her kindergartner Caroline and classmates in full swing with Mrs. Lauri Bruton, who was teaching them about punctuation. The youngsters responded with enthusiasm, identifying a period at the end of a sentence because it was "a telling sentence." Johnson, witnessing the engagement and learning process, couldn't help but smile at the declarative recognition by her young scholars.
Yet, echoing the sentiments of education officials, changes in literacy rates may not be immediate. According to Ryan Lee-James, chief academic officer at the Rollins Center for Language and Literacy, success is contingent not only on financial resources but crucially on the "buy-in and expectations from the school board" and support from the superintendent, as told to WABE.
Sharing similar views, Johnson emphasizes the importance of leadership in the transformative reading initiative at A.L. Burruss. "That's my biggest piece of advice to those who are new on a journey," Johnson told WABE. She touts her personal mission and confirms her staff's commitment and understanding of their roles in this educational endeavor.
