Lynn Gorey, Sheri DeCarlo, Margo Giannoulis, and all other staff members at the school

The team’s innovative teaching idea, “One Book, One School Project,” focuses on encouraging and developing a love for reading for the students at Maercker School. With the Voya grant, the team plans to purchase copies of the same book for each student and staff, as well as host related school-wide activities. The book that will be chosen has characters from different cultural backgrounds, representing some of the make-up of the schools community. Students involved in the project will be asked to complete a variety of projects and activities, including virtual field trips, games, geography and history research, vocabulary activities and art connections through a common school blog. The curriculum will look to engage all students regardless of academic level, cultural background or economic status.