Alaskan author shares true stories with Springfield students

Date: 12/15/2008

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD Mary M. Lynch School students hosted a guest on Dec. 10 -- Alaskan author Debbie S. Miller.

The former teacher brought the beauty and wonders of Alaska with her by sharing her native land's features through several of her books.

Miller visited three other schools in the district last week as well. Her stop correlates with Lynch's literary initiative as a participating Cornerstone school. The goal of Cornerstone is to improve student outcomes by advancing professional development that increases literacy teaching and learning along with shared leadership in order to sustain a model of excellence for student literacy.

Director of Reading Stefania Raschilla and Rosemary Kaloch helped bring Miller to share her non-fiction stories. Her books include science and social studies frameworks by describing and exploring Alaska's natural world -- what Miller describes as "storyfact books."

"She has a highly engaging presentation that encourages students to read and write non-fiction text," Raschilla said.

Principal Tara C. Clark agreed that Miller's presence was a positive reflection of the work teachers have been putting in to promote literacy and its benefits.

"Our school improvement plan focuses on non-fiction texts," Clark said, adding that students kindergarten through fifth grade have been involved in writing programs and Lynch's fifth graders will contribute articles to the school's newspaper.

Miller has written several books for both adults and children including "A Woolly Mammoth Journey," River of Life" and "Artic Lights, Artic Nights." Having lived in Alaska for more than 30 years, she hopes that her children's books will foster a child's curiosity and love of the natural world through the writing of creative and engaging non-fiction, teach children about the environment and help them better appreciate and respect the world around them, inspire children to develop their own writing skills and integrate her nature books into the science curriculum of elementary schools.

For more on Miller and her upcoming visits, check out www.debbiemilleralaska.com.