This summer, we spoke with Everett Carroll, ELA teacher at Milbridge Elementary School and Anna Crowley Redding, author & journalist, to hear more about their experience with IRW’s programs.

Mr. Carroll, Anna pointed out, wears a suit to school every day. “This is how he shows up for his students,” she tells us.

Above: Anna & Everett get ready for a day at Milbridge with students.

Everett wants his students to take reading and writing seriously. He recalls a time when he met a fourth grade student who he wasn’t sure could read. He consulted with this student privately, to avoid embarrassing them in front of fellow classmates.

“[This student] was struggling with reading,”Everett recalled, “And promised me they would work on improving at home.” He kept working with his student side by side, and they began to take an interest in writing stories.

Then, IRW brought Anna Crowley Redding to Milbridge Elementary School.

“It meant the absolute world to [this student] to have an actual author there that could see her work, see her story…plus [Anna] had an Emmy award, so that was really cool.”

Students love holding Anna’s Emmy Award, and she loves sharing it with them. Anna wants to students to step into their own unique strengths and envision their best, brightest selves.

Above: Anna gives every student a chance to envision themselves celebrating their accomplishments.

IRW’s program brings Anna to spend the day with students who have been working with one of her books, engages them in workshops, and gives an all-school-presentation.

She reads them not one of her own picture books, but I Am Enough by Grace Byers.

And the phrase she has students repeat back to her?

“I AM ENOUGH!”

Encouraged by Anna, students in the auditorium shout the refrain again, louder, until it echoes through everyone present.

Everett says that his student, confidence bolstered, is now one of his strongest ELA students. He beams with pride when sharing student writing.

“This is why we’re here,” Anna says, “whatever these students may be dealing with at home, we can give them confidence and a way to express themselves.

Everett agrees. Many of his students’ families are impacted by food insecurity, addiction, and different forms of abuse. Milbridge Elementary School resides in Washington County, which has the highest number of children living in poverty in the state. Having present, encouraging adults in students’ lives is critical to their future success and interest in school.

IRW believes in the promise that lies within every child—their capacities and their dreams. Your support makes programs like Anna’s possible for the kids who need them most.