April Lake, a teacher at Sumter County Schools (GA), has been named the Open Up Resources Teacher of the Month for March 2025. Lake is being recognized for her outstanding work in her classroom and ongoing support of teachers across the country as a member of the Open Up Resources National Professional Learning Community.
Lake’s work with Bookworms K–5 Reading & Writing makes her one of the most innovative teachers in the country. The Bookworms K–5 Reading & Writing curriculum inspires a new way of teaching language arts by engaging students through compelling, real-world content to build equitable and inclusive learning opportunities.
Pam Douglas, an academic coach at Sumter County Schools, nominated Lake for her dedication to ensuring students have all of the support they need in the classroom. Nominated by shared, “Ms. Lake loves her students… She works with her team to make sure all students’ needs are met.”
Lake appreciates the ways Bookworms K–5 Reading & Writing supports students in making connections and developing a love for reading. She explained, “One of my favorite things about helping emergent readers with Bookworms [K–5 Reading & Writing] is witnessing the moment when they realize they can make meaning from the text on their own. The curriculum’s structured, step-by-step approach builds their confidence as they connect sounds to letters, recognize sight words, and start to comprehend stories. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them light up with understanding, knowing that the carefully chosen, engaging texts in Bookworms are setting them up for a lifelong love of reading. The curriculum not only supports their early literacy development but also ignites their curiosity and joy for learning.”
Lake offered some insight for those considering Bookworms: “If you’re considering adopting Bookworms [K–5 Reading & Writing], I would tell you that it’s an investment in both your students’ literacy skills and their love of reading. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to meet children where they are, with engaging texts and a proven, research-based structure that helps even the most reluctant readers build confidence. What sets Bookworms apart is how it blends rigorous skill development with a true focus on fostering curiosity and joy in reading. The resources are comprehensive, easy to implement, and flexible enough to meet the needs of all learners, from emergent readers to more advanced students. If you want to see your students grow as confident, enthusiastic readers, Bookworms is a fantastic choice that will support both you and your students every step of the way.”
Open Up Resources is a non-profit publisher in pursuit of delivering the highest quality learning experiences for all students by providing educators best in class, research-based PreK–12 curricula and professional learning so they may support every student’s academic success and create in-class experiences that celebrate, honor, and empower all students. Learn more at www.openupresources.org.