Winner of “Legends in Literacy” Award Announced

Elementary school teacher Janice Gowdy has been honored as the 2014 Literacy Legend. The national contest, sponsored by myON and IRA, was created to honor educators that are promoting literacy in their classrooms, schools and beyond.

Through Gowdy’s student-run bookstore at West Stafford Elementary School (Stafford, Conn.), more than 20,000 books have been put in the hands of West Stafford students. In collaboration with West Stafford’s librarian and a reading colleague, Gowdy also began a program to promote reading at home called “HurRAH”. In 2011-2012, she was one of three to receive the Connecticut Reading Association’s Outstanding Reading Educator award.

For more information, visit legendsinliteracy.com.