Literacy Coach Tammy Easterday is leading the way for systemic change in literacy instruction at Langston Aerospace and Environmental Studies Magnet School in Hot Springs, a school with a 93-percent poverty rate and 65-percent minority population. Mrs. Easterday developed PERK (Park's Early Reading Kids), a morning reading program that was ultimately incorporated into all elementary schools in the district. She participates in first-grade reading contests and a buddy reading program called Rocket Readers. Mrs. Easterday has opened her doors statewide for others to observe her practices, as under her leadership, the school's test scores have increased dramatically. She currently serves as chair of the Literacy Frameworks committee for Langston Magnet School, is the Literacy Focus Teacher for her building at the district level, and heads the Writing Initiative for the district.
