Rankin Childcare Directors Association

MUST READ: Magee student shares his dyslexia story.

Huge congratulations to 6th grader Andrew Booth from Magee Middle School for winning our literacy scholarship contest! His moving essay reminds us exactly why every child deserves a chance to learn and thrive.

“Why Literacy Matters in My Life and Community”

By: Andrew Booth
Magee Middle School, 6th Grade

Literacy matters in my life because it affects everything I do, from school to my confidence and my future. I am an 11-year-old 6th-grade student at Magee Middle School, and I have dyslexia. Dyslexia makes reading harder for me, especially reading fluently. Even though I try my best, reading does not come easily. Because of this, literacy is not just about books or grades to me. It is about being understood, supported, and given a fair chance to succeed.

Growing up with dyslexia has been challenging. I often have to work twice as hard as other students just to keep up. Sometimes I read slower, mix up letters, or struggle to understand what I read the first time. These struggles have made school feel overwhelming at times. I have also been bullied by other students who do not understand dyslexia. Being laughed at or made to feel different hurts, and it can make learning even harder. What hurts even more is when adults, including teachers, tell me what I will not be able to do in life because they think I am not capable. Those words stay with you, especially when you are a kid.

Even with these challenges, my parents never gave up on me. They work very hard to help me succeed and searched for dyslexia therapy to help me learn better ways to read. Dyslexia therapy has helped me understand that my brain just learns differently, not worse. It has shown me that I am smart and capable, even if I learn in a different way. Literacy matters to me because it gives me confidence and helps me believe in myself.

However, my community is failing students like me. There are no dyslexia therapy programs available here. Families have to travel far or pay a lot of money to get help, and not everyone can do that. This means many kids with dyslexia are struggling in silence. Without proper support, students may fall behind, lose confidence, or start to believe they are not smart. Literacy should be something that brings people up, not something that leaves them behind.

Literacy also matters to my community because strong readers become strong leaders. When people can read and understand information, they can make better decisions, get better jobs, and help improve their community. If students with learning differences are ignored, the community loses talented people who could do amazing things if given the right support.

In my life, literacy represents hope. It represents a future where I am not judged by how fast I read but by how hard I try and what I know. I want my community to understand that dyslexia does not mean failure. With support, patience, and access to proper programs, students like me can succeed. Literacy matters because everyone deserves the chance to learn, grow, and be believed in.”

🚗 Register for the 73rd Imagine Conference!

Join the Mississippi Early Childhood Association (MsECA) for the 73rd Imagine Conference – Rockin’ Road Rally on October 8–9, 2026 at The Mill in Starkville, MS.

🎟️ Registration Rates

Early Bird Registration: $125.00
Available through July 31, 2026

Regular Registration: $150.00
Begins August 1, 2026

Student Registration: $40.00
(Valid student ID required)

✨ What to Expect

Engaging workshops and sessions

Networking opportunities with professionals across Mississippi

Commercial and non-commercial vendors

Resources, tools, and inspiration for early childhood professionals

🔗 Register Today

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/73rd-imagine-conference

Please note: Zeffy may automatically suggest an optional contribution to support their platform. This fee is optional and may be adjusted to $0 before checkout.

📞 Questions?

April May
📱 601.832.2707
📧 [email protected]

Start Your Engines!! You do not want to miss this ride. Keep your eyes on the road. Registration information is headed your way!

YOU CAN JOIN US, BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE GOOD???

Dear Educators,

When you have “end of year”, “end of semester” or “end of testing” parties, and base participation in those events on “good behavior”, you’re making some children feel TERRIBLE and alienating them in the process.

Your students want to do well. ALL KIDS WANT TO DO WELL! The students who were “bad” were having a hard time meeting your expectations. They were trying their best. You may not BELIEVE it, but they were. It doesn’t do a teacher, a school administrator or anyone ANY good to think a child is being bad for the sake of being bad, or to seek negative attention, or any other judgement we may have. They need your help. They need to feel safe with you and they need to know you will help them, and you’re threatening that relationship and their feeling of safety by excluding them. It may be an unintended consequence, but it’s true.

When you don’t let kids participate:
You’re telling them they don’t belong.
You’re telling them you can’t be with your friends, that you’re not one of us.
You’re telling them you only love the kids with “good behavior”, and they are NOT one of those kids.

Since the overwhelming majority of behavior in young children is stress behavior and not volitional, you are telling children that, even though their behavior was because of stress, a learning difficulty, emotional regulation challenges , sensory overwhelm, or a thousand other “invisible” reasons that you may not know about, they can’t make it right. You’re wielding your power and making them feel helpless, embarrassed and sad.

And if you think that will improve behavior, you’re wrong. Neuroscience says you’re wrong.

Please stop making kids who are struggling sad. They need your help, not your punishment.

Am I saying that the child who didn’t have “good behavior” should be allowed to participate in all the events, and field trips, and recess, without ANY punishment?

That’s exactly what I’m saying!

Let them participate and help them when they’re having a hard time.

They need our compassion.
They need to feel included.
They NEED to participate.

If you need support finding alternatives, this page is filled with them! We’re here to help!
Greg Santucci, Occupational Therapist
Founding Director, Power Play Pediatric Therapy
www.gregsantucci.com