33. The Story of Gaining Ground Literacy - Lisa Shotts and Kirby Mackenzie
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Overview
Meet Shotts & Kirby. They're teachers on a mission - a mission that completely gripped our hearts. If you love books, the Scholastic Book Fair or simply smile when you picture your favorite book as a child, then this episode is for you. They are driving their nonprofit bookmobile into metropolitan book deserts and changing everything about literacy in the process. "We have found a cure for something, and we just need to get it to the people." Books and teachers are really changing the world.
Today’s Guests
Lisa Shotts, Executive Director, Gaining Ground
Kirby Mackenzie, Assistant Director, Gaining Ground
“Be kind, and when you see something, fix it. We can’t assume that somebody else is going to do something.”
The story and history of Gaining Ground Literacy
How they share their message, target their audience, and spread their work
Their partnership with high need schools in “book deserts”
Family literacy nights, summer reading kickoffs, book fairs, and more programs
Don’t wait for someone else to start making a difference. Take a small step and follow your passion
Stories of how Gaining Ground Literacy has impacted students in the Tulsa community
How philanthropy has allowed Gaining Ground Literacy to take their mission even further
Kirby’s One Good Thing: if we all put our energy in the one thing that makes our heart jump for joy, we can begin changing the world together
Lisa’s One Good Thing: we can’t assume that somebody else is going to do something. If you see a problem, do something about it.
Powerful Quotes:
“We developed a plan out of my husband’s 1975 Trooper to go to all of our communities to deliver books.” -Lisa
“The kids that came to our van did not slide back reading levels during the summer. We realized how amazing this was.” -Lisa
“A lot of our families didn’t have vehicles, worked multiple jobs, and we had to meet them where they were at.” -Kirby
“We stopped 75 times a week last summer. The kids come running down the street towards us.” -Lisa
“We feel that it is very important to work side by side with our partner schools so we are delivering the services they need and want.” -Lisa
“Yes we are building literacy skills, but more importantly we’re building relationships and a community of learners, readers, and leaders.” -Lisa Shotts
“If you can foster a life long love of reading, you will expand your vocabulary, be creative, and expand your worldview.” -Becky
“Due to the pandemic we couldn’t get kids to the bus. The George Kaiser Foundation has been extremely generous and they provided two books a week to 1,400 children’s homes.” -Lisa
“The giving is there because people see the results. They know how books can change the lives of children.” -Lisa
“The world is so heavy, and things look so daunting and scary. We can’t do everything today, but there is one thing we can do. Our one thing is we can give a kid a book.” -Kirby
“Not only are readers the smartest people in the room, readers are the most empathetic and compassionate people in the room. They have met so many people and experienced so many cultures through books. Not only are we giving kids a book, we are giving them a window into that worldview.” -Kirby
“Be kind, and when you see something, fix it. We can’t assume that somebody else is going to do something.” -Lisa
“You don’t have to have a staff of 200 people to make an impact.” -Becky
Watch Ellen surprise Kirby and Gaining Ground Literacy with a Book Mobile
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