Field Stevenson School welcomed special guests on March 4 for its annual Real Men Read event, bringing male role models into classrooms to share their love of reading with students.
This year, 22 readers from the community visited the school, including fathers, uncles, grandparents, community members and District 91 staff, each spending time reading and connecting with students.
Principal Susan Bogdan said events like Real Men Read help reinforce the importance of literacy while strengthening connections between students and the adults in their lives.
“It is my hope that hosting events like Real Men Read help our students see that reading is valued and enjoyed by the adults in their lives,” Bogdan said. “Seeing male role models read reinforces that literacy is for everyone and helps students connect reading with community, relationships, and joy. The goal is to inspire a lasting love of reading and strengthen a culture of literacy in our school.”
Reading Specialist Sara Boucek shared that the event continues to be an important tradition at Field Stevenson because it connects students with adults in the community while highlighting the role reading plays in everyday life.
“Having male role models is important when many teachers are female,” Boucek said. “It helps the students see that you can read for enjoyment, how it is used in different careers and it might introduce them to a new genre. It is great for kids to see themselves as readers when they grow up.”
Parent participant Rob DiAna, one of the volunteer readers, said the event helps students see that reading is something everyone can enjoy.
“I think events like this help students, especially male students, see that reading is something everyone can enjoy. Also it provides them with positive role models who value books, which can make reading feel more exciting and important for them,” DiAna said.
DiAna shared one of his favorite childhood books with students, reading the opening chapter of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.
“The book I shared, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, was my all-time favorite as a kid. As a teacher this is always my go-to book recommendation for my middle school students. It was exciting to see how engaged they were in the opening chapter,” he said.
Boucek also noted that many readers shared meaningful advice along with their stories. One uncle who is a firefighter encouraged students to be kind to their classmates, reminding them that one day they may look back and reminisce about their time at Field Stevenson. Another community member shared a book about finding the right “shoes to fit” and encouraged students to be themselves.
Field Stevenson extends its appreciation to the volunteers who took time to read with students and to the staff members who helped organize the event and welcome guests into their classrooms.
