Melissa Hackmann is a second-grade teacher at Zion Lutheran School. Discovering the joy of reading is a key lesson in Melissa’s class.
“One thing I've committed to since I became a teacher is introducing children to the library system,” says Melissa. “We take a field trip every January to the Snohomish Public Library, and the children get their first library cards.”
During her 15 years of teaching, Melissa estimates she’s helped nearly 200 students get their first library card.
“When I hand them their first library card, their eyes light up, they gasp,” she says, smiling. “They're so excited. They run around and get more books than they can carry. It's like opening a door to imagination.”
Melissa cherishes introducing new students to the library. “It's a resource that supports the entire community and that it belongs to all of us is a treasure,” she says.
“I consider it a blessing that I get to be part of that process for them and show them that this amazing resource is there for them. I still remember getting my first library card when I was about their age, so I'm really happy to be part of the process for them.”
Next to Melissa sits 90-year-old George Sallee, book in hand.
“George Sallee has been a reading ambassador in my classroom for about six years,” Melissa says. “His role is to show the children that reading is a wonderful experience that you can enjoy at any age, and that reading is important throughout your whole life.”
George gestures towards a frame hanging on the classroom wall. It contains photos of his beloved therapy dogs: Simon, Tigger, and Whitney.
George has trained and worked with dogs for over four decades and has been a reading volunteer for the last 15 years. When George and his dogs came to visit Melissa's classroom, the kids would gather excitedly around them ready to read.
“There are many children, especially in lower elementary, that are just learning to read. And it can be stressful,” she says. “But all of a sudden when there's a dog to pet, it just melts away their anxiety about reading and unlocks a level of comfort that wouldn't be there without the dog.”
Although his dogs have passed, George continues to visit Melissa's class for reading time. Another dog, a Great Pyrenees named Luna, comes to class each week with her handler, Ms. Maddie. “[George's] mission is still continuing,” says Melissa. I believe that God's continuing to provide for that.”
Over the years, George has volunteered in over 16 classrooms and compiled his own reading lists for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. He shares his favorite books to encourage kids to find others that they love. “It's a lot of fun to read,” says George. “That’s all I want them to know. ‘Gee, he seems to like it, it must be fun.’ And if they’ll just believe that much, they’ll go and read for themselves.”
George is an avid Books by Mail customer at Sno-Isle Libraries. He orders a few books at a time, gets them brought to his front door, and enjoys giving staff feedback on each book he reads. When he brings a new book to the classroom, he tells the kids it came from the library. “I want them to know that it’s there to help them get books,” he says.
Melissa keeps a featured shelf in her classroom, freshly stocked with new reads she and George pick from the library. “I'm constantly bringing it up throughout the year, letting them know that that resource is there for them and that it can provide them with books of all types of genres,” Melissa shares.
“I love the library because it sets imagination free and it opens doors for children,” she says. “It opens doors for everyone because it's open and available for everyone. It's a place that you can explore, you can learn, you can feel like you're embraced and welcome.”
George encourages everyone to discover their library. “I urge anybody to try. If you want books, if you're lonely,” he says. “There's nothing like having a book.”
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