Georgia’s first lady Sandra Deal visited Glanton-Hindsman Elementary School on Tuesday, March 3 rd and read to 165 eager Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Mrs. Sandra Deal, the wife of governor Nathan Deal, is visiting schools throughout the state during the month of March to promote literacy. Mrs. Deal’s “Read Across Georgia” initiative is in support of Gov. Nathan Deal’s goal to increase the percentage of children reading at grade level by the completion of third grade. In departing remarks, Mrs. Deal spoke of her passion for children’s literacy. “Reading is the foundation for children to be successful, “ said Mrs. Deal.

Mrs. Deal, a former teacher, read the book T.J’s Discovery, an imaginative story designed around a camping trip. Mrs. Deal read the story aloud to students with energetic animation, while encouraging the students to hoot as owls and fly like birds. The First Lady partnered with the Atlanta Speech School & the Department of Early Care & Learning to create T. J’s Discovery, a children’s book that is geared to the Pre-K population.

Principal Beth Chandler said it was an honor to have Mrs. Deal choose to Glanton-Hindsman Elementary School as part of the “Read Across Georgia” literacy campaign. “It is inspirational to our students, staff, and parents to have the first lady of Georgia come to share her value and love of reading with our young students,” said Chandler.

In addition to students, teachers and administrators, invited guests also attending the event included Kelly Fellows and Elizabeth Shead of Sweetwater Creek State Park, Darold Wendlandt, Carroll County Parks, Dana Harmon, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, Jennifer Shirley, Director of Elementary Education for Carroll County Schools, Villa Rica Mayor J. Allen Collins, Chief Michael Mansour, Villa Rica Police Department, Captain Scott Parker, Villa Rica Police Department, Officer Rowan, GHES Resource Officer, and Deputy Wesley Chandler of the Carroll County Sheriff's Department.