“I love that your students are reading for pleasure,” said Brad Brown when he visited my classroom. Continuing, he shared, “I don’t remember getting this opportunity in school as much as I wanted when I was their age.” Not knowing it until now, his words sparked something within. 

Saturday, while waiting for my car to be serviced, I did something that was a big part of my childhood, something I have always treasured, something I wish I made more time for, and something my mother instilled in me at a very young age… I made time to read for pleasure.

It would have been easy to play on my phone, but I decided to start one of the many novels stacked in my “waiting to read” pile. Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson was at the top of the stack on my nightstand, and I happened to have it with me while I waited at Good Year Tire. Turning my phone to silent, I dove in. Lost in my book, Leonard, always kind with excellent customer service, had to call my name three times to let me know my car was ready! 

Spending the day curled up with a good book took me back to a time of wanting to stay lost in the world of the characters. Resisting the urge to skip ahead, and eager to find out what happens next, I found myself investing in Jade, the main character and protagonist. I was rooting for her, identifying with her, and seeing myself in her. I laughed with her; I cried with her. 

My emotional journey reminds me the best books allow the freedom to get lost, to discover, to connect. How do I find the time to give myself this freedom? And, how often do we gift this treasure to our students?

Learner, Thinker, Writer: Bridget Billups serves Trinity School as a Fifth Grade Lead Teacher