Motivating Readers - A Lesson From My Mom

As my brother and sisters and I grew older, I remember my Mom wanting to do something outside of our home. She got a job as a school librarian at a small Catholic school near our home. She loved books and reading so it seemed like a perfect fit for her. I also remember her taking classes in library science at a nearby university to help her in her work. She did not have a college degree but she took this opportunity very seriously. If she was going to do something, she was going to do it well.

I have one very vivid memory of her time as a librarian and I love her so much for telling it. I am proud to be a daughter of a librarian who loved books and loved children.

Here's what she told me:

One day the principal of the school walked into the quiet library.  She had assumed that she would find a room of children glancing through the shelves of books and reading around library tables. But when she entered the room all she could hear was a quiet room. She was puzzled because she was sure that a class had been assigned library time.

My mom greeted her with a smile and noticed the questioning look on her face as though to say, "Where are the children?".  It wasn't long before a few heads popped out from under one of the library tables and greeted Sister with a smile. Sister was relieved to know they hadn't lost the children.

My mom knew how to motivated children to be readers. She let them read under the library tables! Her routine was well before her time when most students sat in rows of desks all day.  She had her students tucked away and relaxing under the library tables and they were reading!

I am participating in the 

March Slice of Life Challenge.
Each day we post our thoughts.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

Day 23 - Motivating Readers - A Lesson From My Mom