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READING TO CHILDREN IS CRITICAL FOR SUCCESS
GLEN MOURNING CHANNELS HIS CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE INTO AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR STUDENTS
BY Reggie Dogan
STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE
Reading is the most important academic skill for a child. It is the foundation for learning. Through third grade children are learning to read; then they read to learn.
But there’s hope and help that comes from people like Glen Mourning, who are dedicated to helping children read and enjoy doing it.
That’s coupled with a dismal 42% of children in Escambia County not ready for kindergarten. Both are recipes for failure in school and life.
But there’s hope and help that comes from people like Glen Mourning, who are dedicated to helping children read and enjoy doing it.
From football standout to author, the University of Connecticut graduate is now teaching school and writing books, encouraging students to read, study and work to overcome hardships for success.
“We all are writers,” Mourning said. “I just decided to share mine with the world.”
The writing he shares is “Crunchy Life” books for children, his most popular work that consist of a 12-part series for children ages 8 and up.
Mourning’s books tie in life memories, a spin on traditional fairy tales as well as his imagination to create heartfelt and mesmerizing stories.
An educator now in the D.C. area, Mourning said he was speaking to a group of Connecticut fifth graders when he realized that he could create books out of the stories he was telling them.
His life imitated art — in the worst way.
In a cramped two-bedroom innercity apartment with seven adults and six children, Mourning grew up often hungry, helpless and hopeless.
“I’d come to school angry, and nobody knew why,” he said. “I had no help with my homework and nowhere to do it. I didn’t know how to communicate that I needed help.”
Until his fourth grade teacher stepped in and turned his life around. She told him he could complain about his situation and disappointment or make a choice to do and be better.
“She said if you want to succeed you have to pay the ‘price’ in life,” Mourning said. “Always try to do your best but also understand it’s okay when things are hard.”
The “price,” Mourning explained to the kids, was an acronym for persistence, responsibility, integrity, commitment and enthusiasm.
Mourning became a scholar and athlete. He earned a full athletic scholarship to play football at the University of Connecticut and made the All Big East Conference academic honor roll for two years in a row before graduating and attending graduate school.
Given the state’s sub-par reading proficiency, it is encouraging to hear help is on the way with early education initiatives passed in the legislature.
The Florida House launched The New Worlds Reading Program in 2022. It provides one free book a month for students to take home through the school year.
The Senate also started a pilot program to help students improve their reading skills. It selected 10 counties across the state, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Each county was given $6 million to start reading intervention programs for elementary school students.
Through focusing on building culturally responsive classrooms and school communities, Mourning intends on supporting and strengthening schools around the country “one morning at a time.” Our Programs & Services: Kids for Camp Project Lifesaver 2nd Saturday Respite Meals on My Own (MoMO) Parent Chat Take Me Home
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