Reaching Full Potential In College

Meeting new people is one of my favorite things to do! And I seem to be doing a lot of it through my career training education at Granite State College. During one of my evening college classes I arranged a meeting with Mike Sullivan, a local children's book author, Librarian, Storyteller, and Instructor at Simmons College. 

Because Adult Higher Education manifests itself in many different capacities, I thought it would be a bonus for my class if we could meet with Mike and pick his brain a bit regarding boys and their reluctance to read.  Many of the students in my class are either taking Childhood Education classes or Behavioral Science classes so I thought a discussion with Mike would be of interest to them.

My course instructor, Heidi Zollman, my friend Marilyn and one other student joined us for a conversation.  Mike is clearly vested in the topic of boys and reading, a passion of his condern for a long time.  He articulately described brain function in girls and boys which is directly related to its development in both genders.  We discussed the very real reason why boys brains develop slower which in turn causes a cycle of delay which then deforms reading into something boys think they are not good at or cannot do at all so they stop trying. 
    
At one point the conversation turned to"No Child Left Behind."  I have not read the philosophy behind this Act though it was described by Mike Sullivan as a way to educate the middle 80% of students while the top 10% were on their own to succeed and the lower 10% were expected to fail anyway.  
    
Heidi has invited Mike Sullivan to come to Granite State College in Rochester to visit with our entire class.  His visit will include the topic of Storytelling as a lost art form and Mike will tell us stories.  He will also describe ways to promote literacy with boys, and answer questions.
    
I am so happy I took the initiative to contact Mike Sullivan.  His knowledge base is an amazing resource as we continue to make new discoveries in our own educational process whether we are teaching, observing, or parenting our boys.  What we know for sure is that boys must learn how to read.  It is to their betterment that we find ways to help them enjoy forming the habit of reading over time.