Community Spotlight: Building Support Beyond the Classroom
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A small, Title I elementary school located in Columbia, Maryland, stands as an environment where every child feels supported, seen, and excited to learn. As one of the smallest schools in Howard County, almost all 300 of its students live within walking distance. At the heart of this community is Assistant Principal Dr. Casey Shurman, a longtime First Book member and passionate educator.
Casey has worn many hats throughout her career, like a classroom teacher for the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades, Title I Interventionist, and Special Education Team Leader. In addition to her work as Assistant Principal, Casey serves as an adjunct professor at Towson University’s College of Education, teaching the future generation of special education teachers.
Challenges in the Community
While the school may be small in size, the challenges faced by its students are anything but. Columbia, Maryland, was originally designed to be a model for how suburban areas could be planned for connection and community. But over time, rising housing costs and limited affordable options have made it harder for many families to stay, contributing to shifts in the makeup of local schools.
Today, a significant number of children in the area come from low-income families. Families may share housing or move often. Additionally, around 20% of their students are English language learners, with another 15% receiving special education services, as of 2023. These factors create challenges and opportunities for educators to support each student’s unique needs.
Finding the Right Books
Casey knows from experience that the right book can completely change a child’s relationship with reading. She is intentional about choosing books that reflect the life experiences of her students while opening windows to new ones. This often means seeking out stories in multiple languages, with characters her students can see themselves in.
“[It’s] so our families can feel included,” Casey said. “It can be hard to communicate to families that both languages are important.”
When Casey found a book about soccer star Lionel Messi, she purchased it both in English and Spanish.
“We have a kid who loves Lionel Messi, wears his jersey all the time,” she said. “This way, she can take it home and read it in Spanish with her family.”
When a Haitian Creole and English title appeared on the First Book Marketplace, she made sure every student in her Haitian student’s class had a copy.
“So that he could read the Haitian Creole out loud to the class,” Casey said. “He was the expert that day.”
For Casey, these moments are important.
“These are the things that kids remember,” she says. “The number one priority is that they want to be here. We’re trying to create those moments.”
Through her creativity and deep commitment to education, Casey is building a school community where every child feels valued and included. By leveraging First Book resources, she can ensure her students have access to stories and materials that spark curiosity and foster a love of reading. Her work is a powerful reminder that when educators are equipped with the proper tools, they can create lasting change beyond the classroom.
Join the Network
Educators can join First Book’s Network — the largest online community of individual educators, professionals and volunteers dedicated to supporting children in need across North America — to bring new books, educational resources, and supplies to their classroom or program.