SHORT the Squirrel partners with GEAR UP Achieve, Conecuh County Schools to promote early literacy

SHORT the Squirrel, famous for promoting literacy among Alabama’s youngest readers, dropped by Evergreen, Alabama to help eighth grade students at Southside Preparatory Magnet Academy (SPMA) promote a love of reading and an excitement about the future among 105 first grade students in Conecuh County.

The special collaboration event, presented by Auburn University’s GEAR UP Achieve initiative, featured special guest SHORT the Squirrel alongside Dee Bennett, cofounder of SHORT the Squirrel Literacy whose mission is dedicated to promoting literacy and community engagement for children through fun and educational resources, activities and events.

The goals of the event were to empower SPMA eighth grade students to research and present various career paths found in the activity book “SHORT Tours the Town” as part of a career fair for the first grade students, and to establish a connection between the two groups that would foster curiosity and build community. At the end of the event, all first graders received a complimentary copy of “SHORT Tours the Town” to take home and enjoy.

“This was an amazing collaborative effort between Dr. Dee Bennett, SHORT the Squirrel, eighth grade students at SPMA and elementary school students to explore a variety of careers through ‘SHORT Tours the Town.’ We hope the expo broadened the first graders’ knowledge of jobs available in this new era and furthered their love of reading in the process,” said Susan Hudspeth, GEAR UP Achieve school liaison for region 11, which includes Conecuh County.

“Our initial plan included first grade students at Evergreen Elementary School, but Superintendent Dr. LeAnn Smith suggested all 105 first graders in the district would benefit from the event! I’d like to extend a special thanks to SPMA director Mr. John Brantley and Mr. Jarrod Thomas for helping us bring this event to life,” Hudspeth added.

Bennett has a passion for promoting literacy among Alabama’s youngest citizens. A professor of education at Troy University and former school principal, Bennett created SHORT the Squirrel alongside co-founder Monica Anderson Young as an activity booklet that has blossomed to include a full-sized SHORT the Squirrel mascot who visits classrooms across the state and an interactive website full of learning resources.

“We wanted SHORT the Squirrel to be involved in this event because literacy is the foundation for any successful career,” Bennett said. “By encouraging young readers to find the love of literacy early while introducing them to a wide variety of career options, we collaborate to build tomorrow’s workforce.”

Bennett praised GEAR UP Achieve students on their research and preparation to put on a successful career fair based on professions mentioned in “SHORT Tours the Town.”

“Having to research and tell about these various careers gives the GEAR UP Achieve students a better understanding of the postsecondary training needed to achieve their own career goals,” she said.

Established in fall 2023 at Auburn University, GEAR UP Achieve is a seven-year grant that will follow a cohort of current 8th grade students through their high school years and into their first year of postsecondary education to help ensure greater postsecondary access and success. Scholarships to accredited institutions of higher education will be available to students who complete the GEAR UP Achieve program.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally funded initiative designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. With a range of services offered, GEAR UP aims to support students, families and schools through access to rigorous coursework that prepares students for postsecondary success; assisting students in postsecondary preparation; advising students to support postsecondary aspirations; and increasing funding awareness and helping to navigate financial aid.