The Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project celebrated the start of its 2025/26 school year with an enormously successful kickoff breakfast on Monday, Sept. 15 at the Sandler Family Campus. The event gathered more than 90 BeAR mentors, both new and returning, for a morning of connection, preparation, and inspiration.
Gail Flax, one of the original founders of the BeAR program, BeAR chair, as well as a dedicated 26-year BeAR member, welcomed the group and reflected on the program’s lasting impact. She reminded everyone that BeAR’s mission remains as vital today as when it began: giving second-grade students in Virginia Beach and Norfolk’s Title I schools the tools, encouragement, and confidence to become lifelong readers. Her heartfelt words set the perfect tone for the morning.
After breakfast, mentors engaged in a BeAR training session, designed to ensure they felt ready to step into classrooms with confidence. The session covered practical tips, strategies for supporting struggling readers, and ways to build strong mentor-student relationships. A lively question-and-answer period followed, allowing mentors to exchange ideas and clarify details about the year ahead.
The energy in the room was contagious. Mentors left feeling prepared, as well as excited about meeting their students and making a difference.
Want to be a BeAR mentor? A few schools still have open spots. For information, contact Robin Ford, BeAR coordinator, at 757-321-2304 or rford@ujft.org.