Texas Border Business
SAN JUAN, Texas – PSJA Collegiate High School Program in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD has been named the winner of the 2022 Upstart Innovative Programming Award by the Texas Library Association.
Each year, the Upstart Innovative Programming Award (sponsored by Demco) recognizes two libraries – one school and one for all other library types (i.e., public, academic, special) that have implemented innovative programs. The award’s goal is to make good ideas and practices of an innovative program visible and enlarge the history of choices and alternatives that others can draw upon to design programs to fit the unique characteristics of their institutions and the communities they serve.
The PSJA Collegiate High School Program Library, led by Librarian Amy Marquez, received the award for a Literary Food Truck Project focused on collaborative, personalized learning and real-world application while increasing literacy school-wide.
The project was first launched in 2021 and involved students reading books of their choice and then responding to the text by using technology such as Flipgrid, screen capture software, and Canva for graphic design. As part of a final product, students designed a food truck based on the themes and content in their books.
“Through collaboration with teachers at my campus, I provided support in the form of book talks, book tastings, co-teaching and technology mini lessons throughout the program,” said Marquez. “My goal was to inspire a deep love of reading and learning in our campus culture. We wanted students to feel that excitement again about reading and to be able to creatively express meaningful connections they made while reading the novel of their choice.”
According to Marquez, the project helped increase literacy campus wide by providing students with a collaborative, personalized learning experience.
“We commend Mrs. Marquez and the PSJA Collegiate High School Program team for taking on this innovative project to promote literacy among our students,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “Literacy plays a key role in the success and future of our students. Congratulations!”
