Hanna Colombey

Colombey’s innovative teaching idea, “Book Buddies Succeed Together!” is focused on overcoming the challenges related to poverty and reading failure by providing convenient access to new technology and interesting books. During this project, students in third, fourth and fifth grades will be grouped together with younger children to create paired reading groups, which meet in the supportive learning environment of the school's media center. The buddy pairs will use educational reading apps and explore digital books on tablet devices. Colombey’s goal is for the younger students to experience success with the assistance and support of their older buddies. The older children, in turn, gain self-confidence and responsibility while strengthening their own reading skills. Colombey says providing students with convenient access to books and technology is vital because it leads to academic success and opens the door to opportunities.