Make Way for Books supports early literacy through educator development

By Jude McGee

Make Way for Books (MWFB) is dedicated to providing early literacy resources and programming to communities in Arizona through proven, successful initiatives that support children, parents, and educators. The 2022 Library of Congress American Prize winner, which recognizes organizations that provide replicable strategies in combating illiteracy, MWFB’s mission is to “give all children the chance to read and succeed.” MWFB also offers programming to support parents and family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers with literacy tools. The organization has impacted 30,000 children and families through its literacy education programs. 

One of its programs, the Story Project, supports educator professional development in areas prioritized by low literacy rates and high levels of child poverty. Over a period of nine months, MWFB’s trained early literacy specialists visit preschools and childcare centers in these communities and coach a variety of evidence-based literacy pathways and educational tactics. 

Cynnamon Woodberry, senior director of program partnerships and community relations for MWFB, says that the Story Project has served over 1,200 educators in nine counties across Arizona. “Our goal is to take professional development and marry it with coaching,” she said. “In a way that allows teachers to implement research-heavy practices in a tangible way, the very next day in the classroom.”

Rosa Lira, program director for the Story project, highlighted the organization’s commitment to community as a core value. “We do professional development, and then one of our early literacy specialists goes on-site and supports them to implement the strategies. Instead of saying, ‘here you go, here’s this great information,’ we say, ‘let me come in and help you apply it,’” Lira said. Studies show that children who are struggling to read by 4th grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. 

Educators and community partners have benefited greatly from the program. According to a MWFB survey, 99% of participating educators reported gaining strategies, skills, and tools to foster early literacy learning. One teacher said, “I plan to allow my students to be the authors of the story by telling me what is happening.”

According to the City of Phoenix/Greater Phoenix Urban League Head Start Administration, “The Make Way for Books Story Project has opened up a new way to introduce early literacy and build meaningful connections with children through books. It's more than just grabbing any book off the shelf and reading it to children; It's the transformational, empowering, and pure enjoyment that comes from interacting with books. 

“The resources and support from MWFB have inspired our educators to make a story come to life. Our coaches described their work with MWFB with these words: Engaging, fun, colorful, innovative, excitement, creative, and inspiring.”

Looking ahead, Lira and Woodberry say the organization's goals align with the Read on Arizona Literacy Plan, which aims to raise the state's third-grade reading proficiency to 72% by 2030. 

“When we invest time and money into educators, they succeed,” Woodberry said. “I hope that programs like ours let teachers know that their voices and needs are being heard.”

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For more information on Make Way for Books, visit https://makewayforbooks.org/ 

Image courtesy of Make Way for Books.