Edna Stephens is proud of the 2005 Literacy Award granted by the Michigan Reading Association.
The Clarkston resident is just as proud of the 760,000 fourth graders who have gone through the reading program which she created and which helped her earn the award.
‘If I never do anything else, I know this has made a difference,? Stephens said of the LAPs program coordinated through her Auburn Hills publishing company, EDCO Publishing Inc., and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. ‘It’s been a wonderful way to teach kids about natural resources.?
LAPs stands for ‘Learn about the past, Appreciate the present and Preserve our outdoor heritage.? Using colorful artwork and a wealth of information, Stephens and the DNR produce booklets to highlight the historic background of nine state parks and the state capitol building.
The award, given annually to recognize ‘meritorious? literacy work by an individual, cited Stephens for her work with the LAPs program, her organization of a charitable organization to promote literacy and years of work as a teacher and reading consultant.
Stephens was nominated for an entrepreneur award last year, but the literacy award means more.
‘This has been my life’s work,? she said. ‘It’s something I really believe in.?
The love of reading came early for the oldest of 10 children, who grew up on a farm in Kentucky and attended a one-room school until fourth grade. With the family having little money to buy books, she talked of anxiously awaiting visits from the county bookmobile.
When she was in second grade, Stephens? teaching instincts showed when she started helping her first grade brother with his reading.
‘It was then, at age seven, that I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up,? she said. ‘I wanted every kid to love books and reading as much as I did.?
Stephens continued with that goal through 26 years as an elementary school teacher with Lake Orion Community Schools. She taught first and second grades, then switched to teaching disabled students to read.
She became a writer of teacher manuals and a reading consultant while still working in the classroom, but the transition to becoming a publisher and businesswoman came almost by accident.
‘It wasn’t something I intended to do because I loved what I did [in teaching],? she said.
While serving as a conference presenter, she met Mark Herrick and Tim Smith of the ‘Buck Wilder? children’s outdoor adventure books. They were looking for someone to take over the educational arm of their business.
Stephens took advantage of an early retirement offer and in 1977 began her new ‘career.?
Soon after came a call from the DNR for help with what then was their ‘small-fry? fishing club newsletter.
‘They just were not user friendly, and they said, ‘Can you help out??? she said.
That led to creation of the LAPs curriculum, which Stephens wanted to make both interesting and consistent with existing curriculum.
‘Teachers have enough to do; we didn’t want to create something to give them extra work,? she said.
The LAPs curriculum is used as part of the fourth grade Michigan history component, and helps fulfill MEAP goals in reading, science, social studies, math and language arts. Now in its sixth year, 4,521 fourth grade classrooms use the materials.
Teachers also become learners with the curriculum, as Stephens cited her own experience learning about proper care of the state’s forest system.
‘I used to think you can never cut down a tree,? she said, but, ‘I’ve learned that’s part of management.?
Stephens? creative handiwork has extended to other fourth-grade reading products. One focuses on the revitalized Ford River Rouge plant, which includes conservation-related engineering such as the ‘living roof? to reduce water runoff and the collection of stormwater to water lawns. One of the latest books helps kids learn about animals as illustrated by Etch-A-Sketch artist Tim George.
After Sept. 11, 2001, Stephens was inspired to write a book with a patriotic theme, featuring an eagle named Rock USA describing the history of the United States and the concepts of American government.
Stephens said literacy is necessary not only to be a productive individual, but also for a better society.
‘Literacy helped me discover and become who I am,? she said. ‘I believe literacy is the key to success. It is the key to peace and world understanding. It is actually the key to everything.?
That philosophy comes from an understanding that ‘literacy? goes beyond reading, and is useful for handling everything from the neighborhood bully to the business negotiating table.
‘Literacy is hearing. It’s interacting with somebody. It’s putting that all together to really form your thinking process,? she said.
Stephens even has great advice in dealing with the appropriateness of some reading material. She tells parents: ‘First we teach them to read; then we teach them to discriminate.?
A former Fenton resident, Stephens and her family (including her husband and two now-grown children) moved to Clarkston in 1991 after finding a house for sale on Clarkston Road during her daily commute.
‘I had driven by it every day,? she said. ‘I stopped there and said, ‘I’m home.??
The community’s neighborhoods, stores and events all helped reinforce the decision to settle here.
‘I love Clarkston. It’s a great little town.?