The Unsolicited Phone Call: Without a Hidden Agenda!
The unsolicited phone call without a hidden agenda - now that’s an anomaly! This happened recently at North Aurelius Elementary. It was Sarah Anthony, the first African American woman to be elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, now a senator. She explained that every week during March, she and several other staff members were visiting two Michigan schools to underscore the importance of reading and to share their favorite books. It was a win-win!
While the event took place in the lunchroom, not exactly the most intimate space for a read-aloud session, I confess it was a warm, welcoming event. Our students were spellbound as she read “Grace for President” – a fresh, fun and thought-provoking New York Times best seller about the American Electoral College and why every vote counts. It teaches about hard work, civic duty and reminds the readers that the United States has never had a female president.
During the question-and-answer period, one student asked Sarah to describe her favorite law. She explained it was one she sponsored based on a problem a third-grade student and her mother brought to her attention. The child was asked to leave school because she had braids. The legislation, called the CROWN Act, was created in 2019 and stands for, “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” That was news to everyone in the audience, including me!
Sarah provided another example of equity as well as the importance of learning to read – all because of an unsolicited phone call! Thank you, Sarah!
Postscript: I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the multiple challenges we face in 2026 with literacy. National assessments are showing there are some states seeing gains from science of reading reforms while others are facing a crisis. Check out Michigan’s ranking! We have work to do, so my hope is that everyone who reads this story will assume a role to promote reading.
