Star Detroit Lions wide receiver (and Georgia Tech alum) Calvin Johnson, Jr. took time out of his busy day to participate in the “Men Do Read” program at Centennial Place Elementary. He read Crash, a novel by Iain Sinclair, to Dr. Alfreda Stinson’s third-grade students. Centennial Place is located across the street from Johnson’s alma mater, where he excelled academically in addition to earning the prestigious Biletnikoff Award as college football’s best receiver.
Johnson’s mother, Dr. Arica Johnson, is APS’ Mathematics and Science Department project manager. She teamed up with her son during the program by asking students open-ended questions after each chapter. The mother-son team placed a strong emphasis on the value of reading during their visit to Centennial Place.
Dr. Johnson told students: “I taught Calvin and his three siblings how to read before they started kindergarten so that their mastery of content would be engaging and meaningful within every subject introduced to them, and would include sports and music.”
Centennial Place Principal Alison Shelton allowed Dr. Johnson to “Read Across America” with other members of the Professional Football Players Mothers Association (PFPMA).