Igniting a love for reading beyond the library starts with teachers. Their active involvement—modeling, cheering, and participating—transforms reading challenges into powerful drivers of student engagement. Yet another initiative can feel overwhelming with so much on their plates. The secret? Position reading challenges as a supportive resource, not an added burden. Keep reading to discover our top strategies for librarians and school leaders to inspire teacher enthusiasm and participation.
1. Connect Challenges to What Teachers Already Care About
Trying to get teachers on board, but not sure where to begin? Start by showing how reading challenges align with their classroom goals. Teachers already work hard to build reading stamina, vocabulary, and comprehension. A schoolwide reading challenge doesn’t distract from those priorities; it amplifies them.
Take Shallowford Falls Elementary in Marietta, Georgia, for example. Librarian Jennifer Head created reading challenges that aligned directly with classroom curriculum and teacher goals. The result? Teachers didn’t just adopt Beanstack—they used it to reinforce instruction and strengthen reading habits. With friendly competition and data-driven insights, reading minutes soared, and student engagement deepened—proof that a strong reading culture flourishes when teachers and librarians work hand in hand.
If you’re using Beanstack, pull reports highlighting growth in minutes read, streaks built, or badges earned. When teachers see how independent reading habits connect directly to student success, participation shifts from “optional” to “essential.”
2. Turn Reading Into a Team Sport
Reading can feel solitary, but a challenge makes it communal. Set collective goals like “Our class will read 3,000 minutes this month,” and celebrate when milestones are achieved.
Visibility matters, too. A big chart in the hallway, a leaderboard on a library bulletin board, or Beanstack’s real-time digital dashboards all help make progress tangible. There’s something powerful about watching numbers climb together—and no one wants to let their team down.
3. Reward the Grown-Ups Too
Students aren’t the only ones who need motivation. Teachers love recognition, especially when it makes their day a little brighter. For smaller awards, think beyond pizza and try a few of the following:
- Prime parking spots
- An extra planning period
- Coffee delivered to their classroom
- A “#1 Reading Classroom” poster for their door
Want to go bigger? Recognize educators who go above and beyond—like those honored through Beanstack’s Teacher Champion Award. Sharing their stories and celebrating their achievements—in newsletters, assemblies, or on social media—spotlights their impact and inspires others to strengthen your school’s reading culture.
4. Keep It Simple (Seriously)
The number one barrier to teacher participation is time. If something feels clunky, complicated, or time-consuming, it won’t stick.
That’s why simplicity is key. With Beanstack, teachers and students can log minutes in seconds, whether on a desktop or mobile device. Provide quick demos, flyers, or even a script for morning announcements so teachers don’t have to use precious time figuring things out. When the barrier to entry is low, enthusiasm rises.
5. Add a Creative Twist with Themes
Challenges get stale if they all look the same. Spice things up with creative themes:
- “March Madness Book Bracket” with class vs. class matchups
- “Science Reads” that tie into STEM units
- “Flashlight Friday” reading events
- Staff-only competitions to show students that adults are reading too
With Beanstack’s customizable challenge templates, you can quickly tailor themes by grade level, content area, or staff groups. A little creativity keeps challenges fresh and keeps teachers engaged year after year.
6. Celebrate—and Then Reflect
Don’t just celebrate the top readers. Recognize the teachers who made participation possible. Feature classrooms that grew steadily, highlight teachers who modeled reading, and share stories of students who turned reluctant reading into a new habit.
Then, use the data to reflect. How many minutes were logged? Which classrooms reached their goals? What strategies worked best? Beanstack’s reporting makes it easy to showcase results and start conversations with teachers about strengthening the next challenge.
The Ripple Effect of Teacher Buy-In
When teachers are enthusiastic about reading challenges, students notice. They see their role models reading, celebrate milestones together, and associate books with fun and community instead of just assignments. The entire school starts buzzing with a genuine reading culture—and that momentum lasts far beyond a single challenge.
The bottom line: connect challenges to classroom goals, offer rewards that teachers actually want, keep things simple, and don’t forget to celebrate. With the right mix of support, recognition, and creativity, you’ll turn your next reading challenge into a schoolwide win.