Beecher Hills Elementary School celebrated Read Across America Day with a Men of APS Reading Day on March 2. The event featured the Hive Heroes, a group of male volunteers from the Atlanta Public Schools central office, who visited classrooms to read to students and share their enthusiasm for literacy.
The initiative aimed to strengthen students’ love for reading and provide positive male role models. Principal Dr. Tiffany Franklin said, “Hive Heroes reflects our school’s commitment to building culture, strengthening literacy, and fostering authentic connections between students and district leaders.” She added that bringing in men from throughout the district created meaningful moments for students to see themselves reflected in leadership roles.
At least a dozen volunteers participated, including Deputy Superintendent of Schools and Academics Tommy Usher, APS Police Chief Ron Applin, and Assistant Superintendent of Operations Adam Danser. Usher said, “It is incredibly special and rewarding for our young Black and Brown boys to see themselves in us and see an interest, love, and passion for reading.” He expressed hope that the event would encourage students to develop a habit of reading for enjoyment.
Students engaged actively with the guest readers by asking questions and sharing their thoughts about the stories. According to Franklin, the Hive Heroes initiative was designed not only to promote literacy but also to highlight its importance across all careers. “We used this as an opportunity to reinforce that literacy is at the center of everything we do,” she said.
Improving literacy remains a top priority for Atlanta Public Schools. The district is implementing the Accelerated Literacy Model (ALM), which focuses on early literacy skills in Pre-K through third grade through targeted instruction and professional learning. By 2030, APS aims to increase third-grade proficiency scores in English Language Arts by 20 percentage points on state assessments.
Franklin encouraged families and community members to support children’s reading habits at home by modeling reading behaviors and discussing books together. She said, “Celebrate their growth and remind them that reading is how we learn, lead, and open doors for our future.”
Community members interested in learning more about APS’s efforts can attend upcoming Accelerate APS meetings scheduled throughout March and April.
