My daughter, Haelee and I have a special bond with Casa Esperanza Montessori School. Casa is a 501(c)3 charter school that prepares students to be global leaders and thinkers. It’s the kind of school we wish we had gone to when we were younger.
Our journey with Casa began on March 2, 2022, when we accepted an invitation for Read Across America Day from the ever-dedicated parent volunteer, Ghenet Mogos. The warmth of their reception made us feel like part of the family. But not only that, the students treated us like we were celebrities.
Wendy Pineda, the Director of Academic Achievement, extended an open invitation us to return, especially if we wanted to collaborate on a project with the children or to conduct a test reading of a new book. Embracing this opportunity, Haelee's and I visited as Santa to share my latest book, “The Christmas Lesson,” on December 13, 2023, to the delight of everyone.
We came up with yet another fun idea when we were invited back on March 6, 2024, for another Read Across America Day. We introduced an unpublished manuscript about heroism to the middle grade students, seeking their input on whether it should be published. Their thoughts and suggestions were sought to refine the narrative, setting the stage for a joint book between us, The Rules of a Big Boss LLC and Casa. Some of their feedback made us laugh out loud and some touched our hearts.
We can’t wait to go back to Casa in the summer and share the final book with the elementary kids. I’m so proud of Haelee for being brave and generous with her work.
Lastly we’re grateful to Ghenet, Wendy, and the entire Casa team for giving us a school that feels like home and a partnership.