Sep. 27--Angela Williams ultimate goal is to inspire students to love reading.

The Richlands Primary School first grade teacher is seeing results in her students through her "I Hear You" project.

"We cannot see the differences inside a child that hold the key to how they learn -- some see it and get it, others hear it and understand it, sometimes it takes seeing it and hearing it to make a connection," she said.

She believed the key was portable CD players in the classroom so she submitted her project idea to DonorsChoose.org last year. In her project submission she wrote that by seeing, hearing and reading, students would subsequently learn.

"First grade is the first step to laying a strong reading foundation. ... Unfortunately, not every child has all of the tools necessary to put it all together," she wrote.

Williams received money from U.S. Cellular to purchase six portable CD players with carrying cases and a supply of batteries. The cost of her proposal was $262.

Now, her students can't wait to use the CD players in her independent literacy center. They listen to audio books on the CD players while following along with the actual books.

"They are already beginning to change the way they are saying sentences, with word expression ... They recognize an exclamation point on the page, and can hear the audio as to how it is expressed," she said. "It makes learning fun -- it's like watching a movie because they're hearing it and they're seeing it at the same time."

Williams said her students' reading comprehension has also improved.

The schools did not have funding to purchase the CD players, so she turned to DonorsChoose.org. The online charity accepts project requests, posts the requests online and collects funding from independent sources, including businesses, until the project's goal is met.

The CD players have also helped her special needs children.

"It works awesome for students who don't have vocabulary and reading skills yet," she said. "It builds their confidence while it builds their skills. It is fun for them and engages them at the same time."

As part of U.S. Cellular's "Calling All Teachers" campaign last year, April Clark, the area sales manager, said the company was able to provide the money Williams needed for the CD players.

"Especially now with the economic landscape, it is our way of giving back to the community and most of all, to our children," she said.

Clark is hoping an area school will receive $100,000 through the new "Calling All Communities" campaign, which begins Nov. 13 and allows visitors at U.S. Cellular stores to vote for their favorite school.

Ten schools nationwide will be selected to share $1 million from U.S. Cellular. All schools are eligible, Clark said.

"Last year two schools in North Carolina were selected to each receive $100,000; but this is my community and I would love to see one of our schools get the money this time," she said.

The Top 10 schools that receive the most votes will each receive $100,000 to use however they choose.

"No purchase is necessary," Clark said. "Now is the time for the community to mobilize and formulate a plan."

Official rules will be available at uscellular.com/callingallcommunities.

Contact Suzanne Ulbrich at 910-219-8454 or sulbrich@freedomenc.com.

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