Sherraine Senior, EDU ’14, rushed to quiet her class of preschoolers at the Columbia North YMCA in preparation for a special visitor. Once the little ones were settled on the classroom’s colorful rug, it was time for a story led by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. 

 

Jumpstart volunteers and students from the College of Education at Temple invited Nutter to read Not Norman: A Goldfish Story during Read for the Record, a global campaign organized by Jumpstart to mobilize children and adults to share a reading experience.

 

“We had a record-breaking event here in Philadelphia,” said Christa Rossi, site manager for Jumpstart Philadelphia. “This year more than 100 volunteers read with over 2,000 children in 52 classrooms in North Philadelphia. In addition, Jumpstart and College of Education alumni participated by reading in their own classrooms throughout the city.”

 

The College of Education at Temple serves as Jumpstart Philadelphia’s headquarters. In 2014, Jumpstart at Temple expanded its number of student corps members from 50 to 80, which allowed the literacy program to serve more children in North Philadelphia. Twice a week, Jumpstart volunteers from different backgrounds and majors lead reading and literacy projects for preschoolers in North Philadelphia.

 

“I was a member of Jumpstart at Temple as an undergraduate, so I know firsthand how the program helps students develop key language and literacy skills that make it easier for them to achieve once they enroll in grade school,” said Senior, lead preschool teacher.

 

For the past 10 years, Jumpstart Philadelphia at Temple University has helped children with the critical language, literacy and social skills they need for kindergarten.