There are lots of different interpretations of the word 'prodigy.' My own is of someone who is talented and tries to help other children. So in that respect I could be called one, although I don't think I'll go off the rails. Adora Svitak callchildinterpretation share on social
Hoping to instill my love of learning in other children, I taught my first class at a local elementary school the year my first book, 'Flying Fingers,' debuted; since then, I have spoken at hundreds of schools, classrooms and conferences around the world. Adora Svitak bookchildclass share on social
The fact that a baby can be born today and condemned to a life of hardship, struggle, and discrimination simply because of sex is enraging. Adora Svitak babybearcondemn Change image and share on social
I would love it if we made more comparisons between current issues and issues of the past. Maybe we'd realize that sometimes 'current issues' and 'past issues' are one and the same. Our world's people still fight over natural resources, kill in the name of religion, occupy regions and give them up - just as we did 'so long ago.' Adora Svitak agocomparisoncurrent share on social
We always reference kids but very rarely ask their opinion. Our inexperience might be what gives us the ability to teach our elders something, due to the fact that we are not jaded or cynical. Adora Svitak abilitycynicaldue Change image and share on social
The only time I felt I was different was when one of my friends said, 'I hate reading' and I stared at her like, 'What kind of an alien creature are you?!' Because it was so incomprehensible to me that someone could dislike reading! That really started my desire to help other children love reading and writing. Adora Svitak alienchildcreature share on social
Any good teacher knows how important it is to connect with students and understand our culture. Adora Svitak connectculturegood Change image and share on social
Since the age of four, I've been exploring what I can do with the written word: everything from championing literacy and youth voice to raising awareness about world hunger. Adora Svitak ageawarenesschampion Change image and share on social
Students read for tests and because their parents ask them to, but I think it's very important to tell children that you can read for fun, too, and to understand human spirit. It builds empathy. Adora Svitak buildchildempathy Change image and share on social
Ineffective substitute teaching is a problem that means thousands of hours of lost learning for America's students. It cannot be dismissed with a sigh and 'Just wait for the teacher to come back on Monday.' Adora Svitak americabackdismiss share on social