Henryetta elementary educators launch program to promote reading

HENRYETTA, Okla. — Educators at Wilson Elementary are promoting literacy one bear at a time.

The school, just a few miles north of Henryetta, started the Beartastic Readers program.

Meagan Williams created this program in 2022 with only 20 bears that she made.

At the beginning of the school year, students adopt a bear.

Students can then earn accessories for their bears by reading books.

"They went crazy with it. Last year they read almost 20,000 books," Williams said.

Williams, a paraprofessional at Wilson Elementary, said her goal is simple. She wants to help students to read more and earn a reward.

"Every 10 to 20 books they read, they earn something new," Williams said.

She started the program with a few students in the second grade.

"So I thought if I could crochet a bear, that would give them a companion to read to," Williams said.

It wasn't long before more students got word of the program.

"Third and fourth grade, they were all intrigued by it. With donations, I was able to receive donations of bears. We were able to explain it to them," Williams said.

A fourth grader, Steel Howk, read 239 books already and credits the program for achieving that number.

"I get to put things on my bear and read to him," Howk said.

Howk said he named his bear George Washington.

“I like history and when I was in the third grade, I wanted to be a president," Howk said.

The program brings a variety of different books.

“We read the same kind of books sometimes, but not all the time,” Williams said.

For Meagan, this program is writing its own success story.

"Their reading comprehension has gone up a grade and a half, so that part of it really makes me feel good, but seeing them enjoy it makes it even better," Williams said.

Meagan plans to bring bears to two nearby schools in their area.

If you want to help this program continue to grow, you can donate to them by clicking here .