NFL Star Spreads Joy of Reading to Atlanta Public Schools

Beecher Hills Elementary School principal Dr. Tiffany Franklin had just finished reading to one of her third-grade classes in the school’s media center when a special guest came in to surprise her students.

The students erupted with cheers when they realized Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson visited their school for Bijan Reads Day.

Photos By: Jessica Mynatt

This year was the third annual literacy event with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and The Bijan Robinson Foundation, and every third-grade student in APS received a literacy kit from Bijan, which included two new books, notebooks, pens, and a Literacy Playbook that encourages students to enjoy reading.

“Bijan has committed to supporting our literacy efforts to inspire a joy of reading,” said Jennifer Saunders, APS’ director of Library Media Services. “Our number one goal is to increase the literacy rates of our students here in APS, and it takes a community effort. We are excited that there are community partnerships that are willing to help build home libraries to make sure our students have access to books that they actually want to read.”

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Robinson visited four APS Elementary Schools on Bijan Reads Day, and spent his time engaging with students, signing autographs, taking photos, and encouraging them to find enjoyment in reading.

“The students were surprised, but I’m happier to see them,” Robinson said. “For me to just come in there and sneak up on them and see all their faces light up is a feeling you can’t describe. That’s why I do this.”

At Beecher Hills, Bijan’s surprise was a bonus for the third-grade class who have read the most so far this school year. At the start of the year, Dr. Franklin set a goal of reading a million words per child.

“We are a school that pushes literacy, and we push reading,” Dr. Franklin said. “Seeing someone of his stature, the face of football right now for the Falcons, come out and give the kids books to encourage reading and literacy was fantastic.”

During Bijan’s visit, he met third-grade student Rylee Franklin, who is currently the leading reader in her grade. Bijan also asked her to create a design for his cleats to wear in a future game.

“Bijan Reads Day was amazing,” Rylee said. “I just like reading. It’s all about the adventures in the books, and sometimes they just leave you hanging and you have to read the next book to see what happens.”

APS has made literacy a top priority across the district, and creating opportunities to encourage students to learn to enjoy reading is no accident.

In addition to continuing the partnership with Bijan Reads, APS has hosted Young Author Book Showcases, schools have hosted Literacy Nights, and recently the district launched the Accelerated Literacy Models in a few elementary schools.

But the most powerful thing families can do to improve literacy for their child, is to talk about reading and provide opportunities for children to read at home.

“We encourage families to read and take their children to the library,” Dr. Franklin said. “Utilize the online resources that APS has, such as Mayon, where they can go pick a book and read. We encourage not just doing the work and homework but finding a place and time to read for fun, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day in short increments.”