Kindergarten teacher instills importance of reading

Raleigh, N.C. — Swift Creek Elementary School teacher Margarette Harris wanted to make reading fun for her kindergarten students so she designed a reading loft as a reward for her class.

“My youngest sister when she was in kindergarten had a teacher who had a reading loft in her room. She's 21-years-old and she still talks about the reading loft,” Harris said.

The lofts Harris found online were too expensive so she drew sketches of what she wanted. After a few phone calls, Harris said Pulte Homes donated the materials needed to make the loft.

“We can't all be great teachers like Margarette, but we were able to use our resources to make things come together so it will affect young kids’ lives,” Pulte Homes spokeswoman Elizabeth Wicker said.

Handyman Steve Archer donated his time to build the loft.

“I’ve always had a desire to do things for education so this is how that evolved,” Archer said.

After 16 hours of work, the loft was complete. Harris hopes it will help students see reading is fun.

“I just want it to encourage them and inspire them and motivate them to read,” she said.