The 2022-23 KEA Read Across America (RAA) grants totaling $7,000 have been awarded to 15 Active local associations, Aspiring Educator chapters, and Retirees across the Commonwealth. Grantees were selected by KEA’s Membership, Organizing, Visibility & Engagement Committee (MOVE).
 

This year’s grant proposals offered engaging and original ideas to attract students to reading as well offering new ways to reach out to communities. Ideas to engage students in reading ranged from a “book battle” in a middle school where students will vote on what book they liked best, to a “Playhouse in the Park” featuring the books and characters of author Mo Willems, to a STEAM event featuring books about architecture that challenges middle and high school students to literally build their own bridges. Another event will create a “Road Trip Window Decorating Contest” that challenges every classroom to choose a state to focus on and decorate their class window with facts and information about that state and to highlight a book or story that is set in that location.
 

Grant winners are also reaching out to local newspapers, radio, television, and social media to publicize their local RAA plans for maximum effect.

 

Launched in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA) and guided by a committee of educators, Read Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. This year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading
resources that are about everyone, for everyone.
 

The titles and resources featured by RAA include books that students can see themselves reflected in, as well as books that allow readers to see a
world or a character that might be different than them.
 

RAA also offers free resources to students, educators, and schools in need of books and reading materials. They can be accessed by visiting
https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/support-your-readers/free-materials

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2022-2023 Read Across America Grant Winners

Calloway County Education Association ($500)
Campbellsville Education Association ($250)
Covington Education Association ($390)
Danville Independent Education Association ($500)
Eastern Kentucky University Aspiring Educators ($500)
First District Education association ($500)
Graves County Education Support Professionals ($500)
Knox County Education Association ($500)
Mayfield Education Association ($360)
Middle Cumberland Education Association/MCEA Retired ($500)
Monroe County Education Association ($500)
Murray State Aspiring Educators ($500)
Nelson County Education Association ($500)
Paducah Education Association ($500)
Simpson County Education Association ($500)