On February 7, World Read Aloud Day, Stan Tucker, founder of Leap for Literacy and author of “Stan and the Man,” visited Anne Street Elementary. Tucker is a former second-grade teacher who now tours schools as a literary advocate encouraging young people to tell their story and promote kindness.
In a school-wide assembly for Black History Month, Tucker read his first book, “Stan and the Man,” which dealt with the loss of his father when he was in elementary school and the steps he’s taken to make his dad proud today. Tucker told the students, "Everybody in here is an author. You need to know that. You are the author of your own life story, and every day of your life you are building your story, with the words that are coming out of your mouth, by the way you are treating others, so remember that."
Tucker also encouraged Anne Street Elementary students to live a life that makes their parents and teachers proud and they do that by treating people with respect, giving their best effort every day and doing the right thing even when no one is looking.
During his presentation, Tucker chose two students to play his game, The Read 'n Roller, which was inspired by his visit on The Ellen Show. He admitted that he called the school ahead of time and asked for the names of two students who treat others with kindness and respect. Anne Street Fourth Grader Khloe Riggs and Fifth Grader Duane Duran were chosen to participate and even though they were not successful in rolling the ball through the hole Tucker still gifted them with $20 each.
Anne Street Elementary Principal Dr. Seabrook Royal said, “Mr. Tucker was our guest speaker for Black History Month, however his message to students and staff enhanced all of our understanding of the importance of kindness and empathy for all people. His message also inspired us to explore writing our own story as he shared his own story and his WHY for becoming an author. It was truly a message that embodied the culture we are fostering at Anne Street Elementary School and we look forward to Mr. Tucker continuing to work with our students and staff.”
Tucker has a writing program called Share Your Story that helps to guide students through the process of writing a book. At the end of the process, some of the books may get chosen to be professionally published. He has helped more than 150 children, three of those being from Griffin, get their writing professionally illustrated and published through his literacy program.
Tucker also gives books away to kids from his colorful bookmobile called the “Read N’ Roll” in which the currency is acts of kindness. He also has his own popular show on YouTube, “The Very Airy Library,” where he and his faithful cast of friends spread the message of literacy by visiting authors of all ages from around the world.