One of my favorite things about publishing Macaroni Kid is the chance to connect with other moms in our community. Often times these connections inspire me and remind me of the ability of one person to make a difference. It is with this in mind that Macaroni Kid Springfield launched an article series spotlighting these special women. My hope is to introduce you to some amazing moms living right in our communities who not only are doing unique and wonderful things but also deserve to have some attention brought to their mission.
Sally Fuller and I met for coffee this summer and I've been admiring her ever since! She's passionate about her work and this was evident from the moment we sat down to chat. Please get to know this local mom a little better by reading her answers to our questions.
What is your MISSION? What do you want to accomplish?
I AM a Mom on a Mission! Ask anyone who knows me!
My work is my mission and our goal – that of Reading Success by 4th Grade (an initiative of the Davis Foundation, for whom I work) – is to help all Springfield children learn to read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade. It’s not that I ONLY want that for Springfield’s children…it’s just that that is my focus. And it’s bigger than a breadbox, for sure! If we as a community can provide the supports for families and their children to reach that goal, then we will share it far and wide so all children will be able to achieve that important milestone.
What inspired/encouraged you to do this work? Is there one specific moment when you knew this was what you wanted to do?
I am blessed to work for the Davis Foundation, a philanthropic organization in Springfield. Since 2009, we have focused our efforts on an important child development milestone – 3 rd grade reading proficiency. Our focus is derived from our knowledge of early childhood development which tells us that up to 3rd grade children learn to read, and after 3rd grade children read to learn.
My commitment to this work was inspired by reading, early in my tenure with the foundation, about the Hart-Risely study done many years ago, which documented the “30 Million Word Gap.” It’s the gap between the number of words a well-to- do child hears by the end of age 3 versus any one of their less fortunate peers. Thirty million words. And that gap has a persistent impact on learning, literacy, and education.
That’s what got me. After all, my mother, an English teacher for 45 years, GAVE ME WORDS. Lots of words. And THEY WERE FREE. So why shouldn’t every child have the same gift that my mother gave me?
Our Reading Success by 4 th Grade (RS4G) initiative is a community-wide effort that brings together Springfield’s child-serving organizations and works to align them toward the shared goal of
#EveryChildaReader.
Why #EveryChildaReader? I use that hashtag because, in addition to funding programs that support families to help their children achieve this goal, we do a lot of outreach via social media . We work hard to share the message of the importance of parents’ talking/reading/singing/sharing books with their children from the time the child is born. #talkreadsing #413reads www.readby4thgrade.com
What part do your children play in your current mission? What lessons/values are you learning through this process? What lessons/values do you hope your kids are learning?
So I’ve told you lots about my mission and not much about myself and my kids. My kids are grown – 40, 37 and 27. And I am watching the older two proudly as they have become wonderful parents. I am seeing my lessons with them being shared with their children. And I’m proud to say they are doing a good job! And, of course, my grandkids – four of them, ages 6, 5, and two 3s – are the light of my life. Needless to say, they know that when “Maemae” arrives, there will be lots of time reading together!
And in a happy surprise, my 27-year- old told me that what I do is “cool.” She has just graduated with a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia, and is working to make the world a better place having studied urban social policy.
What I’d like more than anything in the world is to know that because of our work, more parents in our community understand the importance of their role as their children’s first teachers.
What can we do to support you in the community?
I’d like to see every parent walking down the street talking and having conversations with their children. Sitting at the dinner table having conversations. Walking through the grocery store having conversations. Giving their children WORDS.
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- HEATHER MONSON is on a mission to make sure children and families are mindful of others and compassionate to one another.
- MICHELLE CREAN is on a mission to empower women to achieve their fitness goals and to live a healthier lifestyle by providing in-home personal training and fitness nutrition guidance.
- SARAH REILLY is on a mission to bring more awareness and acceptance to the local Autism community.
- AMY CUTLER is on a mission to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes and to raise funds for research so that there may one day be a cure.
- ANA FERRIS is on a mission to help people feel confident and empowered by exercise in order to have a healthy mind and heart.
- NIKKI CACI is on a mission to help women feel more confident through fashion!
