Students in the Teacher Education program at Samford University participated in "Read for the Record" at Trace Crossings Elementary School in Hoover, Alabama on Oct. 4th. Jumpstart’s premiere national campaign "Read for the Record," presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, is one day of the year when millions of individuals come together to celebrate literacy and support Jumpstart in its efforts to promote early childhood education. On Oct. 4^th, people across the country were encouraged to read the children’s book Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad, by David Soman and Jacky Davis, in support of Jumpstart’s mission to work towards the day that every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. In 2011, 2.2 million people participated in Jumpstart’s "Read for the Record."

Samford students participated in the event by creating the set designs and costumes for the school-wide assembly. Parents, teachers, administrators and community officials were on hand to make the event a success. Four Samford students were chosen to be project leaders for this event. Rachel Vestri, Hannah Barron, Ashley Patterson, Amy Gelpi and Alison Cotey were charged with creating the design, gathering supplies and organizing their peers to create the inviting set. The teachers, parents and administrators were grateful for the help of all our future teachers!