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Why MPUSD » Fleur Burke: 'If you want to grow a reader, pick up the book and spend time at the end of the day reading'

Fleur Burke: 'If you want to grow a reader, pick up the book and spend time at the end of the day reading'

Image of Fleur BurkeFleur Burke

Library Specialist

Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula


The Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula library specialist Fleur Burke is a firm believer that school libraries and books build a foundation for the kids to do well in life.


When she was a child, Fleur loved reading. She continued to impart her love of the printed word to her own kids reading them stories as they were growing up. “There is something magical about a kid that goes to the library and sees all these books and all these stories. They can go to all these places and learn about all these different things, and I love sharing that with them,” she says.


Fleur has been at the Dual Language Academy for 10 years, the same amount of time she has been at the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. “I couldn’t imagine a better job than doing the same things with kids every single day,” she says.

 


Each week, Fleur shares a story with every single grade level. She tries to segway what she reads into books they might want to check out. They are then encouraged to find their own books. “In our library they need to choose two books - one in English and one in Spanish,” says Fleur and she teaches students how to use the computer and catalog, and write down the call number.”


Every other week, she has the opportunity to read in English and Spanish to students in grades transitional kindergarten through 1st grade. “I love to share new stories and I love the look on kids' faces when they're learning something new or when they get excited about a series. That’s a wonderful feeling,” says Fleur.


Fleur emphasizes two benefits of reading with and to children. One, it teaches students about empathy by understanding the characters they come across in the library. Two, it allows parents or guardians quiet time to connect with their child, share fun moments in stories, and ask questions.


She confidently states, “If you read to your child at home they are much more likely to pick up a book and read. If you want to grow a reader, pick up the book and spend some time at the end of the day reading.”


When Fleur is not busy in the school library, she enjoys hiking, taking her dog for a walk, listening to music, and spending time with her family.