Seeking Ways to Grow Proficient, Motivated, Lifelong Readers & Writers
My very first post.
Where to begin? Let’s start by telling you a bit about myself. My LinkedIn summary says this:
During his 44 year career in education Dr. Bommarito taught every grade K through graduate school. The majority of his teaching time was in Title 1 buildings both as a reading specialist and staff developer. Dr Bommarito took part in a 4-year program where the Jennings school district trained its teachers in Reading and Writing Workshop. Trainers were cadre and former cadre of Teachers College, and included Isoke Nia and Katie Wood Ray. Dr. Bommarito retired from full time teaching in 2015 but continues to be active in the literacy world. He is Co-Editor of the Missouri Reader, serves on various International Literacy Association boards/committees, does volunteer work in literacy and continues to do presentations and write articles about various literacy issues.
How very academic.
My twitter account (@DoctorSam7) says I am a “senior intern”. Had just seen the movie when I said that, thought- that’s me! I am actually about to turn 70 just like the character in the movie. I still do volunteer literacy work in an after-school program. I love to teach. I’ll teach anything. When I got my lifeguard certification I taught swimming lessons, when I was drafted into the service and became a company clerk, the battalion sergeant-major used me to break in the new clerks (knew I liked to do it), and of course there’s those 44 years of teaching all those grades. So, when I retired (sort of) I just had to find a way to keep teaching.
It’s not all academics
My wife of 46 years and I love to have the family over, 4 grown kids, 6 grand kids. Our house could pass for a day care center. Sometimes it is! I’m blessed in that all the kids and grandkids are close by. We’re doing trips with each of my kid’s families, the next one will be in the spring to Disneyworld with my oldest boy and his family. LG LG LG
So, what’s this blog all about?
Of all the professional hats I’ve worn over the years, the one that fits me best is that of reading teacher. I’m in the twilight of my career as a reading teacher (yeah, I just won’t quit teaching) and that is a time when folks tend to get quite reflective. I’m no exception. I want to pass on to future educators some of my experiences. Most importantly I want to find ways to encourage students to become lifelong readers. Reading can open doors to many things and the sad fact is that most of the current generation is simply not walking through any of those doors because they are not reading. What to do, what to do?
Stay tuned for the next posting. It will come right after my forthcoming article in Missouri Reader goes live next week. (Really mine and Dr. Kerns, more on that next time). So next week we’ll dive into the question, how can one grow lifelong readers? Talk to you then!
Happy Reading & Happy Writing
Dr. B.
A.K.A. Dr. Sam
A.K.A. Dr. Sam Bommarito
Semi-retired reading teacher
At the time this was written the article hadn’t been published. Now it has. The rest of the posts to date can be found in the top right column of this page. Please have a look. Please comment. Please follow the blog. Push back is ok (so is praise 🙂 ) THANKS- Dr. B.