B-105 DJ Shares Passion for Reading
November 4, 2009– “Everything in life comes back to reading!” That’s the message B-105 disc jockey Jason “Stattman” Statt shares with children. Through a program he created eight years ago called B-In-School, Statt visits local classrooms to read to students and emphasize the importance of reading.
On November 3, 2009, Statt visited Mason Heights Elementary to read to Lisa Klenke-Murphy’s third grade class. ”I was excited to be able to bring Stattman to the classroom to share his story and passion for reading,” said Klenke-Murphy. After a snack of apple slices and chocolate milk, compliments of Sonic, Statt read the tongue-twister Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss. Statt told students that when he was their age, he had no interest in learning how to read and, as a result, had to repeat third grade.
When Statt’s mother challenged her nine-year-old reluctant reader to think about one profession that didn’t require reading, he quickly figured out the answer and became motivated to improve his reading skills. ”Whatever it is you want to be when you grow up,” Statt shared, “you have to know how to read.” That goes for disc jockeys, too. According to Statt, he reads constantly as a dj– newspapers to generate topics to talk about with listeners, scripts to read on the air, and information about the music he plays.
Statt advised Klenke-Murphy’s students to make reading fun. As a child, his favorite way to make reading fun was to read outside– in the family husky’s dog house! Statt also encouraged students to read what interests them. He shared how any kind of reading is good practice, and just like anything, “The more you practice, the better you’ll get!” Statt suggested reading books based on favorite television shows, activities, and sports. ”You’ll be better at anything if you read about it,” said Statt.
Klenke-Murphy appreciated that Statt’s emphasis on academic excellence makes him such a great role model for her students. ”He was able to connect with the children and continue my mission of sparking a genuine love for books,” shared Klenke-Murphy.
Teachers, If you want Stattman to come to your class, Email him at Contests@b105.com
