Local teachers create program to inspire young readers

If you are a parent, teacher, or librarian struggling to find ways to motivate young children to read, three local teachers may have some of the answers you are seeking in their newly released book Personalized Reading: It’s a Piece of Pie. Nancy Hobbs, Kristen Sacco and Myra R. Oleynik will visit the Peters Township Public Library on Sunday, December 11 from 1-3 p.m. to discuss the PIE program featured in the book.

The three highly experienced teachers, one of whom is a school librarian, have found that the best way to encourage children to read isn't by offering them prizes through point systems. By showing elementary students the benefits of books through the PIE program—Personalized, Independent, Enrichment—teachers, librarians, and parents can motivate them to keep reading for the best reason: they've learned to love it. Utilizing the PIE program will teach students to make selections at an appropriate reading level, expand from choosing titles in the same genre or from the same author, and recognize and abandon a book of low interest to them. Within each chapter are explanations of the theories behind each step and practical ideas that teachers and librarians can implement collaboratively in the classroom and library. Parents will discover the top ten ways to help their children self-select books and how they can help to foster a love of reading in their children.

To attend this program register online, visit the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430. Copies of Personalized Reading: It’s a Piece of Pie, normally sold for $35, will be available at the event or to order for the special price of $25, cash or checks made payable to “Friends of the Peters Township Public Library.” Coordinating with the PIE-theme for that day, the library will also be hosting a Gingerbread House Making Contest with The Pie Place during that afternoon from 1-3 p.m. Call the library at 724.941.9430 for further details.

Nancy L. Hobbs is a third grade teacher in the Peters Township School District in Washington County, PA. Hobbs is a former elementary school administrator in both Indiana and Pennsylvania, and has taught grades K through 6. Hobbs earned her master's degree from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, and her doctorate in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

Myra R. Oleynik is K–3 library media specialist for 800 students at Bower Hill Elementary School, Venetia, PA, recently named Outstanding Library Media Center by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association. Oleynik is also K–5 library media specialist in the Peters Township School District, Washington County, PA—a role she has had for 15 years—and was an elementary classroom teacher for 13 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Grove City College, Grove City, PA, and an MLS degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Oleynik is a Keystone Technology Integrator and Pennsylvania Teacher Excellence honoree.

Kristen M. Sacco is a third grade teacher in the Peters Township School District in Washington County, PA. She has seventeen years' experience teaching in both Pennsylvania and Nevada, and has been an elementary school guidance counselor in the Las Vegas, NV area. Sacco earned her bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, and a master's degree in elementary school counseling from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.