Let’s be real: as a school librarian, you're not just running reading challenges, you’re the driving force behind your school's reading culture. You’re curating collections, organizing incentives, managing reading challenges, and, let’s be honest, probably also fixing the laminator.
If it feels like you're doing it all, you're not alone.
Reading challenges work best when teachers are aware of them and actively involved. Why? Because teachers spend the most time with students during the day, their enthusiasm (or lack thereof) can make or break the success of your program.
If you’ve ever felt the sting of “this sounds great, but I just don’t have time,” this blog’s for you. We’re diving into why teacher support is essential, how to engage even the most overbooked educators, and simple ways to make your next reading challenge a full-staff affair.
Teachers Make the Magic Happen
When it comes to student reading success, teachers are the MVPs. Students look to them for guidance, routine, and even book recommendations. A simple “I’m reading this awesome mystery right now” can spark more excitement than a cart full of shiny new books.
Many teachers see reading challenges as “extra.” They are another initiative on top of lesson plans, grading, and the never-ending to-do list. That’s why the goal isn’t to ask teachers to do more; it’s to help them do what they’re already doing, but with a Beanstack-powered boost.
We’re not talking about a big overhaul. We’re talking about integrating reading encouragement into the flow of the school day, in ways that make teachers feel empowered, not burdened.
Why Teacher Buy-In Matters
Here’s the truth: students notice when the adults around them care about reading. When teachers mention their favorite audiobook or tracks reading alongside their students in Beanstack, it validates the habit. It shows that reading isn’t just for points or prizes, it’s a lifelong pursuit.
In schools where teachers are actively involved in reading challenges, student participation can double or even triple. We’ve seen entire reading cultures transformed simply because one or two teachers got excited and led by example. Their engagement creates a ripple effect—others follow, momentum builds, and suddenly, it’s not just your challenge, it’s the school’s challenge.
Pro Tip: Looking for a success story to share at your next staff meeting? Explore Beanstack's case studies to show the real impact of teacher participation.
How to Identify and Nurture “Reading Champions” Among Staff
Every school has at least one: the enthusiastic teacher who can’t help but talk about the book they read over the weekend. That’s your reading champion. They don’t have to be an ELA teacher.
Maybe it’s the PE teacher who listens to true crime podcasts while running laps. Or the art teacher who’s a closet graphic novel aficionado. The point is, anyone can be a reading role model.
Start by paying attention to who already talks about books or engages with your library displays. Ask them to get involved in a small way: previewing an upcoming challenge, helping you name it, or trying out Beanstack ahead of launch. Giving them early access creates buy-in and a sense of ownership.
Recognition goes a long way, too. A shout-out in the morning announcements, a “Reading Champion” badge on their classroom door, or a feature in the staff newsletter can all help fuel momentum. These small acts make a big impact—and soon, other teachers will want in on the fun.
Bonus Idea: Create a rotating "Teacher Reader of the Week" spotlight during challenges. Let students nominate teachers who are modeling awesome reading habits!
Real-World Examples from Schools Using Beanstack
Let’s zoom in on a standout success story from Clearfield Elementary in Rowan County, Kentucky. This Title I school faced a significant challenge—over one-third of its students were chronically absent. To boost engagement and attendance, they launched a full-scale Beanstack reading initiative, including a staff-only challenge to build momentum.
Here’s how teacher involvement powered their success:
- Staff-First Strategy
Before students even saw the app, teachers got a head start with a dedicated reading challenge. This allowed staff to explore Beanstack, log their own reading, and talk the talk, laying the groundwork for student buy-in. - Making Reading Visible Everywhere
Beanstack leaderboards were displayed in classrooms and the library, and posters went up in the hallway. Regular updates, like “We’ve logged 100,000 minutes!”, were shared in newsletters, morning announcements, and social media shoutouts. - Engaging Students and Families
Weekly communication kept challenges front and center: younger grades received intro tutorials, older students got leaderboard competitions, and families were looped in via newsletters and a Facebook video guide. -
Teachers as Reading Role Models
Staff tracking their own reading sparked student curiosity. Students asked, “What are you reading?” That question became a powerful prompt for self-reflection and literacy growth.
Real Results in Black and White
Over 75% of students had logged reading time within just one week, earning Clearfield Beanstack’s coveted Reading Culture Trailblazer status. By week two, students had logged more than 100,000 minutes. And most impressively, chronic absenteeism dropped from 33.7% to 25.1% in a single school year—an 8.6% improvement, credited partly to the excitement and consistency generated by Beanstack’s reading engagement tools.
Why This Approach Works for Educators
- Teacher-first = teacher buy-in. By experiencing Beanstack themselves, staff became enthusiastic advocates, not just passive role-players.
- Visibility is key. Leaderboards, posters, and weekly updates made reading part of the school’s visual and conversational fabric.
- Community engagement builds momentum. Including families, spotlighting teacher logs, and celebrating milestones gave the challenge a communal spirit that lifted attendance, too.
This example proves that when teachers lead the charge—and Beanstack is woven into daily routines—you don’t just grow readers, you strengthen your school community from the inside out.
Simple Ways to Invite and Sustain Teacher Involvement
It may seem obvious, but the best way to get teachers involved is to make it easy.
Start small. Mention reading challenges during team or department meetings. Share clear, ready-to-go slides or talking points. Highlight one fun stat like “Our students logged 1,200 minutes this week!” to pique interest.
Create friendly, low-pressure competitions: 5th grade vs. 6th grade, teachers vs. students, or even classroom vs. classroom. You don’t need big prizes, bragging rights, hallway posters, or a coffee cart visit go a long way.
Most importantly, take on the heavy lift yourself. If you can provide teachers with a pre-written email to send to parents or a classroom poster with a QR code to log reading, they’re far more likely to engage.
Classroom Routines That Reinforce Reading Habits
Once you have teacher buy-in, help them fold reading into classroom life. No elaborate lesson plans required, just a few simple habits can go a long way.
Try these ideas:
- Daily Reading Check-ins: Start the day with a one-minute book chat. “What are you reading?” “Who read last night?” It’s low pressure, but it builds consistency.
- Beanstack Minute: Dedicate a minute during homeroom or after lunch to log reading. Make it part of the routine, like taking attendance or sharpening pencils.
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Friday Book Shout-Outs: Give students time to recommend a book they finished that week, and encourage teachers to share, too!
The key is to keep it light, fun, and regular. A small moment of shared reading daily is more effective than a big push once a month.
Final Takeaway: Empower Teachers, Elevate Readers
If you take one thing from this blog, let it be this: you don’t need every teacher to become a Beanstack power user overnight.
Start with one or two champions. Make it easy for them to say “yes.” Celebrate their efforts. And keep building from there.
When teachers model the reading behaviors we want to see in students, they become the strongest advocates for reading culture, inside and outside the classroom. With your guidance, a little creativity, and the right tools, your next reading challenge can be the most engaging one yet.
Want to plan your next staff-supported challenge with confidence? Check out our Reading Motivation Playbook for more strategies to spark reading across your campus.