We’re Making Students Cry?

A Classroom Grandparent leads an interactive holiday learning activity as elementary students eagerly raise their hands during a Readers in Motion classroom lesson.

Sometimes a simple backpack can mean far more than school supplies. Through the Readers in Motion program, students in high-need classrooms receive one-on-one tutoring, mentorship, and educational resources designed to spark confidence and a love for learning. For one young student, receiving a backpack filled with learning materials became an emotional reminder that someone cared — a powerful moment showing how compassion and support can change a child’s outlook on school and on themselves.

Our Readers in Motion program includes passing out backpacks full of educational supplies to newly registered students in kindergarten through second grade. Last month, when we were finishing up in Ms. Todd’s class, she instructed all the students to put their new items away, so they could get back to their lesson. One little boy held on tight to his backpack, holding it to his chest, in tears. He said he had never received anything before. He couldn’t stop crying and let go of his backpack until a hug and a little reassurance from his Classroom Grandparent helped him calm down, put his backpack away, and join the lesson.

Readers in Motion focuses on giving economically-disadvantaged children who may not have access to books and engaging learning materials at-home, the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom. This generous gift ignites a love for learning!

Readers in Motion is a tutoring and mentoring program offered in high-need classrooms throughout Hillsborough County where students receive extra one-on-one help from our Classroom Grandparent volunteers. We also engage the entire family in learning for lasting impact through at-home Reading Challenges for prizes each month and hands-on STEM family events. Each year, every student enrolled in Readers in Motion also receives a backpack filled with fun educational supplies to get them excited for learning.