Rotary to Host Public Panel Discussion on the Importance of Childhood Literacy

Helping children learn to read and write fluently is critical to helping them take advantage of everything a classroom has to offer. It’s fundamental to unlocking their full potential. Research also shows that improving literacy and education outcomes is one of the most effective ways to strengthen economies and communities, to help nations combat poverty and extremism and to build understanding and resilience throughout the world.

Improving literacy throughout is one of the pillars of Rotary’s effort to change lives around the world. The Chicago area is home not only to Rotary, it is also home to some of the most innovative research, practices and thought leadership driving how we teach all children basic literacy skills.

Rotary will host a panel and information exchange on engaging communities and the importance of improving the quality of the classroom, not specifically only focusing on teacher quality but gaining support from the community, local resources and organizations. The event will feature local experts including:

Tamara Kaldor- Assistant Director, Technology in Early Childhood (TEC) Center at Erikson Institute

Stacy Ratner- Co-founder of the Chicago Literacy Alliance, Founder of Open Books

Carolyn Johnson- Rotarian and Founder of the Culture of Reading Program (CORP)

Diane Rado- Education Reporter for the Chicago Tribune

Order tickets via Eventbrite: http://on.rotary.org/1UDtmT4