Reina Schaffer

* Mission: Reinforcing reading by encouraging second-graders to read aloud to their classmates.

Every Wednesday, a student in Reina Schaffer’s second-grade class tells everyone a favorite story.

Schaffer, a teacher at Selma Avenue Elementary School in Hollywood, has been encouraging one student in her class of English language learners to preside over each “Wonderful Wednesday” since the beginning of the school year. The goal is for the students to introduce each other to the joys of reading and to practice their reading skills.

The students, despite having difficulties with English, try to captivate each other with their most animated performances. They even experiment with different voices and hand gestures.

Wonderful Wednesday is also a time for parents to get involved. Parents often attend the class to listen to their children read.

And when it’s over, the listeners become critics as they analyze the book and give feedback on the performance.

* Quote: “For them to be reading aloud in English is really amazing. The best thing for me is to see how proud they are when they read. These kids are struggling with English. I just wanted to promote reading and language development in a safe place so that they feel comfortable.”

--Reina Schaffer, teacher