While reading to youngsters at Fairview Elementary School last fall, Brittney Verner could look into their eyes and see herself.
Verner, who was then a reporter for KSDK-TV, made weekly visits to the school for a special program, “Reading with the Stars,” a 10-week literacy program during which Verner read books focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) to the children to promote literacy and expose them to those fields of study.
Verner could relate to the youngsters because she was once just like them.
“I, too, was a young child living in Detroit, Michigan, in an underprivileged and underserved community,” she said. “Therefore, I understand the challenges that kids often face, and I understand how important it is to have mentors and successful people around you cheering you on.”
She also understands the importance of reading.
“When I was younger I loved to read. It was a way for me to expand my imagination and learn about a different world that existed other than my own,” Verner said.
As an adult, Verner has made a personal commitment to volunteer in underprivileged areas and try to mentor kids to help them achieve professional and educational success.
The relationship with Fairview Elementary was formed after Verner met Mark Davis, the school’s assistant principal, at the St. Louis American’s 2018 Salute to Excellence in Education gala. She also was impressed with Jennings School District Superintendent Art McCoy Jr., whom she met upon first arriving in St. Louis in 2018.
“He was very passionate about his students, and I admired his forward thinking and his ability to create unique ways to make sure his students were successful,” Verner said of McCoy. “That’s why I wanted to be a part of the excellent work they were already doing in their district to make sure kids were exposed to the best.”
Jennings School District leadership and Fairview Elementary School administrators frequently review school achievement data. Last summer, Davis and Melisha Carson, the school’s principal, determined that literacy should be the No. 1 focus. A daily, common reading intervention time was implemented for all students in grades 1 through 6 to emphasize the need for intensive support with struggling learners, including guided reading, phonemic awareness, and other literacy strategies.
After some brainstorming, Davis came up with the name “Reading with the Stars.” The program was promoted by the involvement of Verner as a community leader and local celebrity and the teaching and administrative staff at Fairview. The program’s aims were to increase the love of reading, promote STEAM awareness and interest among young children, and provide new books for students to enjoy at no cost.
“We determined that emphasizing the love of reading to young children was equally important as literacy intervention,” Davis said. “The administrative team believes the love of reading would serve as a gateway for students to realize their dreams beyond school in various career pathways.”
Verner concurred, citing statistics that show that one in six children who are not reading proficiently in the third grade do not graduate from high school on time.
“In my opinion, it is extremely important for youngsters to be exposed to STEM and STEAM as early as possible to get ahead of the curve,” Verner said. “Our world is constantly changing, especially in the STEM fields. I think it’s important that we begin to expose children to these subjects to help pique their curiosity.”
Davis noted that students and staff were very receptive to the program.
“As a celebrity/community leader, Brittney maintained an electrifying personality, which garnered the attention and excitement of all students,” Davis said.
Verner said the students would light up each week when she passed their classrooms.
“Some asked if I was coming back to read and do activities with them again; others asked if I was coming to visit their classrooms at all,” she said. “I would read to them and then, after story time, we would have a quiz about the book to see if they remembered the information. The teachers were extremely supportive in the readings and critical thinking activities we conducted during our time.”
At the end of the program, each student received an autographed copy of a book called “Mikey Learns about Business,” which was written by a local student in the Jennings School District who talks about his journey toward entrepreneurship. Stifel Bank & Trust teamed with KMPG Accounting and the St. Louis NAACP chapter to provide the funds to purchase each of the students in kindergarten through second grade a copy of the Mikey book. They also contributed a copy of “Budget Bunny and the Lemonade Stand,” a coloring book developed by the United Way and Stifel Bank to introduce students to financial education topics.
Suzanne Algin, community development officer at Stifel Bank & Trust, noted that the bank likes to get into the classrooms and connect with students about age-appropriate financial literacy and business curriculum. It was a perfect match.
“Our Budget Bunny program is a great engine for connecting with kids, and ‘Reading with the Stars’ seemed perfectly aligned with our goals,” she said.
“We were happy to provide copies of the ‘Mikey Learns about Business’ book, with its focus on entrepreneurialism, because that is a theme so close to our business model. We were grateful to support this opportunity as well as provide copies of ‘Budget Bunny and the Lemonade Stand,’ an activity book we created in conjunction with United Way of Greater St. Louis and Lion Forge Labs, which teaches financial capabilities of spend, save, and share in an entrepreneurial story geared toward grade school students.”
Verner, who has since moved on to WJAX-TV in Jacksonville, Florida, said she hopes this literacy program can be a model for something that will live on for many years. She leaves a message not only to the youngsters at Fairview Elementary, but to others throughout the St. Louis area.
“I want them to know that success is attainable no matter where you come from or how bad your situation may seem,” Verner said.
“I’ve gone through a public school system that didn’t have the finances to equip its students with the latest technology or even books, for that matter. I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, which means I’ve witnessed the ups and downs of the economy. I’ve gone through good and bad times just like everyone else. I want kids to know that no matter the challenges, persevere, remain resilient, and stay optimistic. And I want them to do it with an enlightening book in their hands.”
