Lt Governor Tahesha Way Visits Wanamassa School

Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way Visits Wanamassa Elementary School
Posted on 03/05/2024
Seal - Township of Ocean Schools, Ocean, New Jersey


Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way Visits
Wanamassa Elementary School

Lt. Governor Tahesha Way Visits with the Students at Wanamassa Elementary School

Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way visited Wanamassa Elementary School
and read to our first grade classes.


Press Release:

Classrooms nationwide celebrate Black History Month each February, and the Township of Ocean School District was no exception.  To kick off the month, schools chose a specific Black American to highlight daily.  Students were able to learn about Black Americans who significantly contributed to United States history.

One of the ways that the Ocean Township School District is celebrating Black History Month is by participating in the National African American Read-In (AARI).  This Read-In is a groundbreaking effort to encourage communities to read together, centering on African American books and authors.  It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month.  This initiative has reached more than 6 million participants around the world!

On February 23, 2024, all five of the Ocean Township Schools participated in the African American Read-In.  Each of the schools focused on reading books by African American authors in their classrooms.  Guest readers were invited into the schools to make an even greater impact.  Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way visited Wanamassa Elementary School and read to our first grade classes.

Dr. Kalisha Morgan, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, is coordinating this event for the Ocean Township School District.  She believes that the African American Read-In offers an enriching experience that benefits schools and students by broadening horizons, deepening understandings, and fostering a more inclusive and empathetic community.

Dr. Morgan also states that encouraging participation in such events and promoting the reading of books by Black authors are vital steps toward a more inclusive and diverse educational environment.  Reading books by Black authors allows students of all backgrounds to see the world from different viewpoints, which is crucial for developing a well-rounded worldview.

It is important for Black students to see successful authors who look like them and can be incredibly inspiring, showing that their voices and stories are valued and have a place in the literary world.  Dr. Morgan states, "I am excited that the Township of Ocean is participating in the African-American Read-In.  I hope that participation will continue for years to come."

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.