Proudest Moment since Joining TpT!!

We have loved every second of our journey since joining Teachers Pay Teachers as a seller in February 2014.  But, I've got to say our proudest moment was this week when we received a letter from a Andy, a 5th grade student, who received a book because of a donation we made to First Book, an organization that puts books in the hands of children in need.

Andy, a 5th grade student, sent Watson Works a letter thanking us for the book he received due to our First Book donation.

Andy states in his letter that he was "so thankful that you donated the book The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan because my parents never want to buy books that I like because they're too expensive.  Another reason I am really thankful is because now I have a book to read during the summer."  Does it really get any better than that?!?  TpT has opened so many new doors for us, but this is really what it's all about - being able to give back.  Because, it really is true what they say - "it is in giving that we receive."

Plus, as educators, is there a better cause to support than helping decrease the illiteracy rate in America?  According to a study conducted in April 2013 by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy, 32 million adults in the U.S. can't read. That's 14% of the population. 21% of adults in the U.S. read below a 5th grade level, and 19% of high school graduates can't read.  According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (completed most recently in 2003, and before that, in 1992), 14% of adult Americans demonstrated a "below basic" literacy level in 2003, and 29% exhibited a "basic" reading level.  The Department of Justice also reports that "The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure."  85% of all juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate, and over 70% of inmates in America's prisons cannot read above a 4th grade level (source: Huffington Post).

  
Just as the video below from www.LiterateNation.org states, "EVERY student DESERVES a chance to read, write, and learn for a LIFETIME.  NO exceptions.  NO excuses."  If you're interested in giving back, helping decrease the illiteracy rate in America, and providing books for children in need, too, I highly recommend becoming a First Book donor. Almost any size donation is accepted; there's just a $5 minimum required.  Then, 97% of all donations received provide new books for children in need.  To give your first donation, just click the image below.  It's fast and super easy! :)

~Heather
Watson Works, LLC