(Middlefield, OH)- Jordak Elementary School just received a generous donation from Shannan Jursa, a State Farm insurance representative. Shannan has created a project called, #savethebooks and has used her insurance platform to promote this project for students in our area.
“My husband and I have driven all over the state of Ohio, and into Pennsylvania, to collect roughly 4,000-7,000 all-genre books," said Shannan Jursa. “The ones not appropriate for K-6 students are traded in and used at bookstores for credit, then I shop the kids’ sections.”
The District’s Instructional Coach, Missy Cardinal stated that, “Shannan is a great friend of the District’s. She has been donating books to Cardinal for years.”
Shannan’s first stop was at Kathy Thomas Elementary in Windham Schools District. She then traveled to Garrettsville-Garfield, and then Crestwood before stopping at Jordak. Her next donation will be presented to Newton Falls, making it five schools who received donations this year.
“The goal was to put 1,000 books back into the hands of teachers to support literacy in our schools,” said Jursa. “We will continue with this project through the remainder of 2023 to reach as many local schools as possible.”
Shannan’s desire for literacy in the classrooms began in her own home.
“One of my twins struggled with reading, and as a result he had to work harder for the same A’s his brother received with ease. After Title 1, and a structured 4th grade ELA teacher, he outscored his twin brother on the Ohio STAR test and was placed in Advanced ELA for 5th grade. Now, both boys are in every advanced class and finished 7th grade with 4.0 GPAs at JAG,” said Jursa.
“I am very appreciative of Shannan Jursa at State Farm. Reading is how we learn and access the world and this will help our children attain their dreams in life,” said Bob Kujala. We will have them available at our School Supply Drop Off on August 17th, and our only request is that you take them, and use them! Again, we are very thankful and appreciative of Shannan, for thinking of us and giving us such a nice gift.”
“It’s proof that if you can read, you can learn anything,” said Jursa.