DMAT Helps Students Read Together, Grow Together

Reading at an early age provides numerous benefits for children, including improved vocabulary and communication skills, better critical thinking and an engaged imagination. That’s why five associates from our Athens, Tenn., facility recently volunteered for the “Read Together, Grow Together” program, an experience that gives participants a chance to read with elementary school  students and chat about future career possibilities. 

The event was virtual this year, but that didn’t stop our superstar associates! They recorded themselves reading “The One and Only Ivan” (by Katherine Applegate) and shared the videos with Lori Farley, a North City School Librarian who created the program. Then, Lori’s students read along to the videos with their own books, which were purchased using donated funds from the Athens team and other sponsors. 

“I jumped at the invitation to be a part of ‘Read Together, Grow Together’,” said Megan Smith, an industrial engineer at DMAT. “Reading is fun! I always enjoy seizing the opportunities DMAT presents to have an active hand in the surrounding communities. It’s critical to support education and give students real-life connections to career paths available and the skills needed to be successful.”