This nonprofit is AMAZING! It is putting books in the hands of kids when we need it most. The demands of teachers and educators are at a all time high, so sometimes the simple task of reading a book for enjoyment gets left out. I know for me personally, when a book arrives to me from The Leaders Readers Network it makes me plan intentional time to stop and enjoy a read aloud. The books are always fun and engaging and most of all, laughter among children is taking place. THIS ORGANIZATION IS AMAZING!
I have worked with this organization in many roles over the years and it would take pages to write the extraordinary ways it has touched my life and heart. I will say if you are looking to make a difference through literacy this IS THE ORGANIZATION! So much of who I am was built with the core values I took away from my years volunteering with this team (or better said, FAMILY). I hold every memory close and am so thankful for each and every smile I was able to bring to children across the US and in Dominica through providing books and supplies.
TLRN has been great to work with! Everyone involved in the organization is truly passionate about the cause, starting with founder/executive director Chris who leads by example. The impact that the organization has on students is invaluable. Having worked with the Student Ambassador Program for 6 years now I can attest that this program provides lifelong skills for students to develop as leaders while making a true impact in their communities.
I absolutely love all that The Leasers Readers Network does and provides for educators, schools, and more importantly, the children. Putting books in their hands and opening their minds to a world filled with imagination is beautiful, especially since so many children today don’t even own a book. Helping our future find a love in literary is natural to this organization and exciting for these youth and future leaders.
The Leaders Readers Network inspired my students. The students received multiple books and still talk about their favorites. Through the TLRN, my students participated in community service projects and promoted reading across our campus.
I have been involved with LRN for 4 years. It has been a truly fantastic experience. My students have shown interest in more books than I’ve ever seen before. They have impacted the lives of many students.
I am an educator who has only taught at Title I schools, and I get to be the one to help build their literacy. However, much of what I am able to do would not be possible without The Leaders Readers Network, which has helped me put books and materials into the hands of students who will one day change the world. This organization is extremely supportive, and offers various ways to help the community via service learning and various service projects. TLRN has helped me year after year by providing me with supplies and a classroom library full of diverse books that help students learn and build their literacy. I definitely recommend TLRN to anyone who is looking to be an integral part of the community and/or field of education.
As a board member of The Leaders Readers Network, I had the privilege of being part of an incredible mission to transform the educational landscape of Title One schools through the power of books. Reflecting on our journey, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, pride, and excitement for the future.
One of our primary goals was to provide brand new books to schools that often struggled with limited resources. Witnessing the smiles on the faces of students as they received these books was truly heartwarming. Each book represented a gateway to knowledge, imagination, and a brighter future. The impact we made on these young minds, enabling them to explore new worlds and expand their horizons, filled us with an indescribable sense of accomplishment.
The tireless efforts of our team and the generous support of our donors allowed us to reach numerous Title One schools, making a tangible difference in their literacy programs. We focused not only on delivering books but also on establishing reading corners, organizing storytelling sessions, and fostering a love for reading within these communities. The transformation we witnessed in the students' enthusiasm for learning was incredibly rewarding.
Moreover, the pride that swelled within us stemmed from knowing that we were creating lasting change. We saw students growing more confident in their abilities to comprehend and communicate through the written word. We received heartfelt notes of gratitude from teachers who noticed an increased interest in reading and improved literacy skills among their students. Knowing that we played a part in empowering these young individuals to become lifelong learners brought an immense sense of pride to our work.
Looking ahead, I am filled with excitement for the future of The Leaders Readers Network. Our impact has been substantial, but we recognize that there is still much more to be done. We envision expanding our reach to more schools, engaging with additional communities, and implementing innovative programs to further promote literacy. The enthusiasm and dedication of our team, combined with the unwavering support of our community, instills a sense of excitement as we embark on new initiatives and work towards a future where every child has access to quality books and enhanced literacy education.
My time initially as a volunteer, then serving on the board of The Leaders Readers Network (TLRN) helped me realize the impact this organization has on multitudes of children and teachers. As a parent, I took it for granted that my children had a home library, a library card, and access to a variety of books that interest them. During my work with TLRN, I have humbly realized there are children in our neighborhood schools who need access to books that allow them to relate to the characters, settings, and plots. When a child sees themself in a book it allows their minds to soar and can increase their self-efficacy. Reading is the match ready to light a fire.
Rudine Sims Bishop, in her influential research, describes diverse books as "mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors" that help all children see themselves, their friends, their experiences, and their possibilities. The Leaders Readers Network makes this possible and I am so proud to be a small part of this vital mission.
It is a great honor to be on the board of directors for Chris McGilvery’s The Leaders Readers Foundation. I first joined the organization in the fall of 2019. Chris and TLRN helped me to get brand new, culturally relevant books into the hands of the students in my community who needed them the most. I was empowered to have my cheer squads participate in the giving - we were fortunate to have the chance to do a book drive and read-aloud at the local daycare center, as well, which was something my student-athletes still discuss to this day! Chris has also invested in me as a leader and has given me many opportunities to expand my work of education equity and advocacy through the lens of literacy. I am forever grateful for the loving kindness and daring leadership of the Leaders Readers Network.
I have had the incredible honor of serving on The Leaders Readers Network (TLRN) board. There are so many obstacles our teachers face, and this organization not only supports their teachers and students, but also makes the effort to truly celebrate them and their schools! In providing books to celebrate who they truly are, TLRN aims to support our future and show our students that anything is possible. I love the work that we do here, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds!
I'm truly honored to be the Chair of the Board of The Leaders Readers Network (TLRN). It was the dream of Chris McGilvery, Founder and Executive Director. He's nurtured it for the past decade and the most incredible fact is that he, as well as, the educators, administrators, students, board members, advisory members, community members - all - have dedicated their time and efforts to this organization on a voluntary basis. Everyone believes in the mission and vision. And thousands of young persons and educators have benefitted from TLRN's four distinct projects: Student Ambassador Project, Classroom Library Project, Literacy Fellowship and Diverse Book Project. It's all about "Investing in the Future Today, One Book and One Child at a Time". We hope to continue the good work...please join us. Let's work Together to Build Leaders and Avid Readers.
I have been honored to work alongside the Leaders Readers Network for the last 4 years. What started out as an opportunity to grow as an educator and leader has turned into creating 3 classrooms of leaders through reading, raising over $4,000 for one campus, donating over 3,000 books to over 750 students in one community. This organization has helped me share my love of service and reading with all of my students. They not only grew as readers but they are now leaders in our community by leading literacy projects to raise money to donate books to title 1 campuses.
The Leaders Readers network has helped make all of this possible with their support, dedication to helping educators and students, and their belief in bringing educators to the forefront to make them leaders in this work.
With The Leaders Readers network support, we have now helped the community of San Antonio create a network of over 20 educators across 4 districts working together to make a difference through literacy.
The work they do not only helps while you’re working with them, but it truly leaves an impact for a life time for all of those that have lucky to be involved with them and impacted by their work. Thank you LRN for all of your work of heart you have put into educators, our students, and our communities.
I have felt nothing but a great sense of community from being part of this group. Being able to provide some books for my classroom, students and fellow educators bring so much joy to so many people. Having opportunities to provide diverse books and material to support social-emotional learning is vital in today's schools and I'm so glad to be a part of this group.
I have been involved with the Leaders Readers Network for three years now, and it has been the best experience! Not only is the work that this organization enables us to do so impactful, but it also teaches us how to give back to our community and raises leaders for future generations. There are so many amazing mentors and volunteers within this organization that I have learned so much from. I have loved being part of this organization, and I strongly urge anyone interested to join!
I have been involved with The Leaders Readers Network for over five years. The work done to support teachers, schools, and students is so important. It is so much more than distributing books. It’s about working with school districts to deliver books that support and celebrate the diversity of the students. It’s about supporting and celebrating the teachers who are the real heroes. It’s about providing the books that light a spark to encourage elementary students to become readers to further their success. And, it’s about encouraging everyone involved to become a leader in their own way. I can’t say enough about the good work being done here.
Absolutely love working with this organization! They have an amazing mission and vision for children. They fully teach and empower young learners through the power of reading. Armed with these tools they truly do change lives. If you are on the fence jump over and work with this team.
I've been involved with this incredible organization since 2018 and am honored to serve on its board to amplify its reach for equitable education for all. The Leaders Readers Network uniquely positions itself to provide new books and projects for educators, librarians, and students to reach their fullest potential. I was hooked when I learned about the impact of their Student Ambassadors and Literacy Fellowship programs and how they positively transformed school cultures across the country. I highly encourage anyone who wants to get involved to do so and have enriching humble experiences and make a difference.