Education is a fairly big deal in my life. I grew up with teachers. I grew up with a Mama who instilled in me that education was key to success. But, she was also an innovator. Adapting what she learned as an educator to teach her amazing students of all types, as well as showing me and my sister the best ways to tackle our own learning pitfalls.

I can remember my Mom toting around the giant Lakeshore catalog in her Teacher Bag with page corner folded down of things she needed for her class or for home during the Summer time. Today, Lakeshore is partnering with parents of all kinds to make big things happen and I’m thrilled to be asked to share it with y’all.

Lakeshore Learning Store (www.lakeshorelearning.com) will celebrate Jumpstart’s Read for the Record®<, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation dedicated to helping children develop early language and literary skills. This free event at the Lakeshore Learning Store in West L.A. will consist of guest readings from this year’s official campaign book Otis by KTLA’s Chris Burrous, U.S. Olympian Sprinter Brushon Nellum,< and actress ad celebrity mom Christie Lynn Smith (“General Hospital”) this year’s official campaign book, Otis. In addition, families will be able to take part in free crafts inspired by the readings, and all children will be awarded their own World Record Reader Certificate.