Published on The Recorder website on 3/10/2021 by Max Marcus

TURNERS FALLS — Francia Wisnewski, a resident of Turners Falls, was named among four Western Massachusetts educators recognized this year for their support of early childhood literacy.

The yearly Literacy Champion award recognizes leaders in Springfield’s education community who have made special efforts to support early childhood literacy. It is given by Reading Success by Fourth Grade, an organization that aims to help all students in Springfield gain fundamental reading skills by the end of third grade.

As one of four awardees, Wisnewski was recognized specifically as the director of the National Early Educator Training Center, a facility in Hadley run by the Service Employees International Union.

The three other awardees were Kevin Green, the founder and CEO of an organization called Seeds of a Father; Joan Kagan, the retired president and CEO of Square One; and Mary Walachy, the retired executive director of the Irene E. and George Davis Foundation.

Wisnewski brings years of experience to her work. Before starting her position at the National Early Educator Training Center this January, she had worked for eight years as an associate director of programs at Raising a Reader Massachusetts, an organization in Springfield that provides books and teaching resources to help parents read with their children.

She served on the Greenfield School Committee from 2012 to 2016, and was involved in the hiring of former Superintendent Jordana Harper. Wisnewski also holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

In her acceptance speech for the award last week, Wisnewski spoke about her experience growing up in Colombia, where she said the entire village seemed to support her learning. She recalled her family putting world news on the radio, her grandparents telling stories about their childhood and teachers reading from the popular children’s books of the day.

“This village reminds me of this beloved Springfield community and its generosity,” Wisnewski said. “This village has ensured that, as a field, we go beyond to make reading fun, and to show that early literacy is the key that will open many doors in a bright future.”

Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.



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