At TalentFirst, early literacy is foundational to our mission of strengthening West Michigan’s long‑term talent pipeline. Reading is not just an academic milestone—it is a critical life skill that shapes educational success, workforce readiness, and economic vitality across our region.
Across Michigan, only 38.9% of third‑grade students are reading proficiently, according to the most recent M‑STEP results. While this data underscores the urgency of the challenge, it also reinforces why TalentFirst is committed to action. Ensuring that every child can read proficiently by the end of third grade is one of the most effective ways we can support students, families, employers, and communities—now and into the future.
Research is clear: students who develop strong reading skills early are more likely to stay engaged in learning, graduate from high school, and access meaningful career opportunities. For West Michigan’s employers, early literacy is not a distant concern—it is a present-day talent imperative. That understanding drives TalentFirst’s strategy: invest early, align systems, and partner across sectors to deliver measurable impact.
March Is Reading Month offered an opportunity to celebrate both progress and possibility—highlighting what works and reinforcing our shared responsibility to ensure all students learn to read. This year, TalentFirst focused on two strategic efforts advancing that goal across West Michigan: the Adopt‑a‑Classroom Library Program and the Literacy Leadership Recognition Program.
Together, these initiatives reflect TalentFirst’s approach to workforce development—data‑driven, evidence‑based, and grounded in strong partnerships that create scalable solutions.
Investing Early: Adopt‑a‑Classroom Library Program
Strong readers begin with strong access—to high‑quality books, evidence‑based instruction, and educators equipped with the right tools and support.
Through the Adopt‑a‑Classroom Library Program, members of the TalentFirst CEO Council invest directly in early‑career K–3 teachers in high‑need schools. This targeted investment ensures teachers can build high‑quality, culturally responsive classroom libraries that develop essential skills while fostering a lifelong love of reading.
In the past year, seven classrooms across West Michigan were supported—reaching more than 800 students and adding over 1,500 new books to classrooms. Each participating classroom received:
- $2,000 to purchase approximately 200 high‑quality, grade‑level books
- A $200 stipend to create welcoming, student‑centered library spaces
- A 35% educator discount through Barnes & Noble
- Ongoing coaching and professional learning aligned to the science of reading
These supports reflect TalentFirst’s commitment to evidence‑based practice and system alignment. Teachers collaborate with literacy coaches, engage in professional learning, and build classroom libraries designed to grow and evolve over time—creating lasting impact beyond a single school year.
For educators, the impact is immediate. As teacher Jessica Kempema shared, “I was able to create the library of my dreams.” For students, the results are transformative. Mary Johnson of Muskegon Area ISD noted, “It’s changing outcomes for kids. They can see themselves now as readers.”
That sense of access, identity, and confidence is central to literacy success—and to TalentFirst’s goal of helping all students build the skills they need to thrive.
Community partners see the value as well. Hadley Streng of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, which supported the program through the L.J. “Midge” Verplank Community Impact Fund, reflected: “Early literacy education is extremely important for our young students to be successful. We love seeing them go to the library daily and fall in love with reading.”
Elevating Excellence: Literacy Leadership Recognition Program
While early investment is critical, so is learning from success. TalentFirst’s Literacy Leadership Recognition Program highlights schools achieving exceptional early‑literacy outcomes—particularly those outperforming peers with similar economic challenges.
This year, six schools were recognized from a pool of more than 400 across West Michigan. These schools demonstrate how aligned systems and strong instructional practices drive results, including:
- Alignment to the GELN Literacy Essentials
- Ongoing professional learning grounded in the science of reading
- Dedicated literacy coaches
- Strong instructional materials with systematic phonics instruction
- Data‑informed teaching through formative assessments
- Clear school improvement strategies focused on literacy
In partnership with a trained literacy coach, TalentFirst conducted in‑depth interviews with district leaders, administrators, and instructional teams—ensuring recognition reflects both outcomes and the practices behind them.
As TalentFirst President Kevin Stotts shared, “If we want our communities to grow and succeed, literacy has to be part of the solution.”That belief resonates across TalentFirst’s CEO Council. Literacy Leadership Award sponsor Leslie Brown, Owner and Chairperson of Metal Flow Corporation, put it simply: “I couldn’t do my job without being a good reader—and neither could my employees.”
March Is Reading Month celebrations brought together educators, students, business leaders, and policymakers, reinforcing literacy as a statewide priority. TalentFirst also extends appreciation to public leaders who attended and supported these events, helping elevate the importance of early literacy across the region.
Literacy in Action: Turning Data into Impact
Inside classrooms, the impact of this work is visible and inspiring. At Lakeview Elementary, students have already surpassed 20,000 minutes of reading—more than five times their initial goal—and are now aiming even higher.
More importantly, students are discovering the joy of reading. “Every time I read, I go on a big adventure,” one student shared. “I don’t even have to pack a bag.”
From book vending machines that provide free birthday books to classrooms filled with diverse, engaging texts, schools across West Michigan are building environments where reading is accessible, joyful, and celebrated.
A Collective Effort—and a Path Forward
This progress is possible because of deep collaboration—among educators, intermediate school districts, literacy experts, policymakers, and business leaders who understand that literacy is both an education priority and an economic imperative.
Through the Adopt‑a‑Classroom Library Program and the Literacy Leadership Recognition Program, TalentFirst and its partners are advancing strategic investments that support immediate classroom needs while strengthening long‑term systems.
At the state level, growing alignment—including Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed “Every Child Reads” initiative—signals momentum toward scaling literacy solutions statewide. TalentFirst continues to support this work through policy recommendations developed in partnership with state leaders, ensuring that what works locally can drive impact across Michigan.
TalentFirst is grateful for the support of partners whose investments make this work possible: Lorin Industries • Metal Flow Corporation • Webb Chemical Service Group • KeyBank • Meijer • Pennies From Heaven Foundation • 42 North Partners • SoundOff Signal • The Hill Family Fund • The L.J. Midge Verplank Community Impact Fund
Looking Ahead
March Is Reading Month is both a celebration and a call to action. TalentFirst remains focused on advancing literacy solutions that are:
- Data‑driven
- Evidence‑based
- Scalable
- Built through strong partnerships
Because when all students learn to read, our region is stronger, our workforce is more prepared, and our future is brighter.
Literacy is where it starts.
