Sunday, March 3, 2019, is NEA's Read Across America Day 2019. Read Across America NEA's Read Across America is

Life Changing Educators

Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School

By Janet Halfmann; illustrated by London Lad

Born into slavery, Lilly Ann secretly learned to read and write from her master’s children—and then read everything she could get her hands on. Wishing to share her knowledge with others, she secretly taught hundreds of other enslaved people despite the great risks.

Taken from https://www.readacrossamerica.org/life-changing-educators/ 

Apply in the Classroom

A pioneer in education, Lilly Ann Granderson faced many challenges to her efforts to teach and to encourage others to pursue education. Have students discuss what education meant to Lilly Ann and to the people who learned from her, then get students thinking about what education means to them. How do they feel about their own educational experiences? Who do they think is responsible for helping them get a good education? Have students write a letter or tribute to a teacher or someone in their lives who has helped them learn, sharing how having that knowledge has affected their lives.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

What kind of learning opportunities do you think are important?

What is your idea of a good education?

What are the most important things for a school to have?

How important is access to a good education?

Where else can you go to learn?

How does education make a difference in life?

Why is it important to protect people’s right to education?