THF grant funds help teacher create bright futures

Peoria Heights Grade School's Bright Futures Teacher Amanda Richardson is making story time more engaging, interactive, and inclusive for her early childhood students—and we couldn’t be more excited to help!

Her plan? To create hands-on, interactive books that help her students stay focused and involved during story time. Using grant funds, Amanda will print matching pictures for each page of the board books, laminate them for durability, and attach them using Velcro dots.

“By adapting the stories with these pictures, my students will have something to do so they stay focused. Adapting the books with the pictures will allow students to be part of the story even if the student is nonverbal and cannot communicate with words,” Amanda shared in her grant application.

Amanda teaches two early childhood classes comprised of students with varying learning styles and abilities. Her goal is simple but powerful: to make learning accessible, engaging, and meaningful for every child. Through these interactive books, students will work on critical skills like vocabulary, matching, taking turns, and paying attention, all while having fun.

Amanda’s vision for incorporating adapted board books into her classroom is both thoughtful and inspiring. Thank you, Amanda, for creating an inclusive and hands-on learning environment where all students can shine!