It's Been a While

Substack Live Event March 14th!

Hello, Friends!

It’s been a while.

This year, I returned to a middle school classroom as an English Language Development (ELD) and ESL teacher at a newcomer campus serving immigrant and refugee students. While I have always taught students who are developing English alongside their first languages, this is the first time my role has been devoted entirely to multilingual learners.

The learning curve has been real. I have spent most of this school year settling into a new district and learning the systems and expectations of my campus. Most importantly, I have focused on building relationships with my students and their families. This work has required my full attention.

Now that spring is here, I finally feel grounded enough in my new role to turn some energy back toward this community of teachers, librarians, and adult readers.

If you have remained subscribed here, even during my long quiet stretch, thank you. I am especially grateful to those of you who have continued as paid subscribers. Your patience and encouragement matter more than you know.

How Is Your Reading Life?

Many of you spend your days encouraging young people to read. Some of you are raising readers at home. In my experience, one of the most powerful ways we support young readers is by tending to our own reading lives.

So I want to ask you:

When was the last time you took a reflective look at your personal reading life?
How have your reading habits shifted in recent years?
Which elements of joyful reading feel strong for you right now?
Which feel fragile?
When was the last time you talked with other adults about your reading life and why it matters to you?

We cannot model a joyful reading life if we are not living one.

Join Me on March 14

As a small thank you for being here, I am hosting my first Substack Live event on March 14 at noon Central Time.

We’ll take an honest look at our reading lives and consider small, realistic shifts that can make them stronger and more deeply fulfilling.

The event is free for all subscribers. Substack will record it, and I will share the replay afterward. Paid subscribers will receive a few follow-up resources to continue the reflection.

If this first Live gathering feels useful, I hope to host more conversations over the summer.

I look forward to reconnecting with you around our shared commitment to reading and to the young people who are watching us.

If you have ideas for future Live topics, please share them in the comments.

Happy reading,

Donalyn