Javonti Braxton will hold a summer reading program for upper elementary and middle school students at the Essex Public Library.
A product of the Essex County Public School System is doing all he can to help improve literacy locally.
Javonti Braxton, a former educator at James H. Cary Intermediate School in Tappahannock, is working in conjunction with the Essex Public Library to launch a summer reading program which will be open to upper elementary and middle school students.
“This program was created in response to a growing concern,” Braxton told the Rappahannock Times. “Literacy rates are declining, and many students—especially those with dyslexia or reading challenges— regress over the summer. Preventing summer reading loss is important, but it’s not enough for students to just maintain their current level. This program is designed to foster real, measurable progress, because every student deserves to move forward.”
Braxton, who is presently employed by the Richmond Public School System as a literacy coach at Frances McClenney Elementary School, says the program will offer small group and individualized instruction, diagnostic assessments, and free books for younger students to support reading at home.
“We also welcome book donations to help provide more engaging, age-appropriate reading materials,” he added.
The program will be conducted June 16 to July 31, with sessions on Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. at the Essex County Public Library.
“The goal is simple: help students improve their reading skills and enter the new school year prepared for success,” Braxton says.
Families interested in registering students can contact Braxton directly or meet with him at the Essex County Public Library on: May 14, 6-7 p.m. or May 24, 12:30– 1 p.m.
Space is limited as Braxton is presently the program’s lone interventionist.
“I will do my best to accommodate as many students as possible,” he says.
Braxton’s roots here run deep.
A Tappahannock native, Javonti graduated from Essex High School in 2010 and was a member of the school’s first-ever football state championship team (2009).
He earned an associate degree from Rappahannock Community College and a bachelor’s degree in African-American Studies with a minor in History from VCU.
Moreover, Javonti holds a master’s in Reading Education with an endorsement as a Reading Specialist from Old Dominion University.
He is presently a Doctoral student in Educational Psychology at VCU and is concluding his Administration and Supervision certification through Liberty University.
Javonti previously taught U.S .History at James H. Cary Intermediate School and served as a reading specialist there as well.
He was also the head coach of the girls’ and boys’ basketball middle school teams since the program returned two years ago.
Also, Javonti taught history at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional facility in Chesterfield where he continues to volunteer on weekends.
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