Healthy Smiles and Early Reading

One day a family visited the ASPIRE Book Bus (Unicoi County), and a little girl began reading aloud from a book. She told me she could not read, and her sister could only check out books with a few words. My heart was overwhelmed at seeing a child reading a rather large book, but not seeing herself as a reader. Her mother began to tell me about an experience her daughter had when she was younger that had stifled her. I just listened that day, but I worked that stop every Thursday for the rest of the summer, and the family visited every week. Each week when the little girl would visit, we were intentional to acknowledge when she was enjoying new books and let her know, in fact, she was a wonderful, growing reader (like all of us were). As we watched her grow in confidence, her mother grew in confidence, too. I could see both of them relax and let go of the unfair weight that they were both carrying. It was such a special summer, connecting with a family and being a part of their growth as readers. In my present job, I oversee curriculum and instruction. It’s a vital role I cherish, but it’s moments like this that drew me to teaching. The ASPIRE Book Bus is one way I continue to connect to my purpose. Book buses are as important to those who work on them as they are to those who visit.

Jenifer Lingerfelt

Elementary Supervisor

Unicoi County Schools

Dustin Jacobsen

Dustin Jacobsen joined Governor's Early Literacy Foundation in 2020 as Executive Assistant, working directly with the Foundation’s leadership to manage customer service and program relationships.

Previously, he spent 10 years working in non-profit organizations, most recently as Executive Director of the Old School Farm in Nashville, Tenn., where he worked to create vocational training, job opportunities and educational experiences for adults with developmental disabilities.

Dustin graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in education and a minor in business administration. Originally from Lawrence, Kan., Dustin loves fishing, the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team and weekly movie nights with his wife and children.

“We are giving children across the state from every background and social status the same chance to imagine new worlds and learn through reading. Our book program also gives parents the chance to connect and engage with their children in a meaningful and beneficial way.”

Contact Dustin:
[email protected]

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Dustin Jacobsen

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Healthy Smiles and Early Reading

Dustin Jacobsen