Teachers’ Pick • Catherine Ward

Catherine Ward is a current M.S.Ed. TESOL student at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to her time working towards her M.S.Ed. she obtained her teaching certificate in Pre-K through 4th grade education from Muhlenberg College. Next year she hopes to begin her public school teaching career with a focus on multilingual learners! As a teacher, advocate, and activist she hopes that her classroom will be one where all feel they have access to agency, creativity, and education.

Book recommendation: I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët

Why: I Walk with Vanessa uses visuals to encapsulate what it means to be a part of a community. Creating a classroom community wherein all students’ voices are valued is of the utmost importance to me–I Walk with Vanessa exemplifies such. Additionally, wordless picture books create opportunities for students to become designers of narrative and mimic what reading the world around them entails. The book makes accessible to many students how supporting one another can have a great impact on making schools a welcoming place.”