The students and staff at the Central Learning Center in Springfield started their week off with a special visit from children’s book author Stacy Brundage, Ed.D., a 1990 graduate of Effingham County High School and big sister to CLC student Latoya Bartley.
Brundage, the daughter of Jerald Bartley and Annette Stanley, has been a reading specialist and literacy coach for the past 14 years and is currently employed with Flat Shoals Elementary in Conyers. She became a published author in July 2008 when AuthorHouse, a self-publishing and marketing service, released her first book, “Brooke and Jana’s Day.” The book, which features beautiful and accurate illustrations, is about a day in the busy life of Brundage’s two daughters, 4-year-old Brooke and 2-year-old Jana.
Brundage said she was motivated to write a children’s book after watching third and fourth grade students struggle to read common site words that are normally learned in kindergarten and first grade.
“There is a need for books that not only help children become familiar with high frequency words,” explained Brundage, “but that also encourage and engage them to learn more difficult words.”
The author went on to say that she hopes her book will give parents the opportunity to interact with their children while exposing them to words that will encourage reading skills. In addition to the use of rhyming words and number concepts, Brundage sprinkles a few more difficult words throughout the story to keep her young readers engaged.
“The occasional use of a bigger word, such as ‘environment’, is intended to promote conversation,” stated Brundage.
For the past several years, Brundage has worked with teachers to incorporate best instructional practices in the area of literacy. She believes that reading is the gateway to success for all students. She is currently working on her second book, titled, “Music is All Around Us,” which will be published this summer and was written for older elementary-age children.
After graduating from ECHS in 1990, Brundage attended Georgia Southern University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, followed by her reading specialist degree.
She worked briefly in Savannah and then moved to Atlanta to teach and be closer to her sister.
After becoming a wife and a mother, and writing stories to use as teaching tools with her students and her own children, Brundage said her principals began encouraging her to write a children’s book. She said the process took about a year and a half from start to finish.
“Brooke and Jana’s Day” can be purchased on Amazon.com and through Barnes and Nobles. For more information about the author and her book, visit www.brookeandjana.com.
