Memphis, Tennessee – Porter-Leath recently announced its Books from Birth Spring Luncheon, at the FedEx Event Center on Thursday, April 11 at noon (doors open at 11:30am). Presented by International Paper, the luncheon will feature a about the necessity of early literacy by l of Memphis’ foremost literacy advocates.
The panel includes Dr. Kandi Hill-Clarke and Dr. Jason Yaun. Dr. Hill-Clarke is the Dean of the College of Education and a McRae Endowed Professor of School-Based Clinical Practice at the University of Memphis. Prior to joining the University of Memphis in January 2017, she served as Dean of the College of Education at Indiana State University. Dr. Hill-Clarke began her career as an elementary teacher with Germantown Schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education at LeMoyne-Owen College, a Master of Science in Reading Education at the University of Memphis, and a Doctor of Education in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership with a concentration in Reading Education, also at the University of Memphis.
Dr. Yaun is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a physician in the general pediatrics department at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Born and raised in Memphis, Dr. Yaun has always been an avid reader who has transformed his personal passion into a community mission as a champion of early childhood literacy. He completed his medical school and pediatrics training at UT Health Science Center. Since 2015, Dr. Yaun has served on the boardBooks from Birth. He has also brought the Reach Out and Read program to Le Bonheur where physicians free books for children from 6 months to age 5 during every well-patient visit.
Porter-Leath's , mails monthly, age-appropriate books to 46,000 Shelby County children age five. The books facilitate reading time with children, helping parents and caregivers create language-rich homes that yield lasting results beyond early childhood. 2017 over 6,000 Porter-Leath Preschool children Books from Birth, advancing Porter-Leath’s early childhood goal of achieving kindergarten readiness for all Shelby County children.
“We are thrilled to provide age-appropriate books for 70 percent of children through Books from Birth” said Sean Lee, Porter-Leath’s President. “We will continue to work toward ev.”
FedEx Event Center is located at 415 Great View Drive East. Luncheon tables of 10 are $750, and sponsorships are available. To learn more, visit porterleath.org/.