The Nerd Herd Makes Reading Cool Again

hat do you call a group of students who meet with their friends to W excitedly discuss the latest book they just read? Well, the Nerd Herd, of course! This club of voracious readers is led by Manya Glavach, the “hubrarian” who presides over Westminster Elementary’s innovative “library,” the HUB.

The HUB replaced the traditional library for elementary students when the new elementary campus building opened in 2013. Just like a library, the HUB provides over 10,000 print volumes, hundreds of audio books, eBooks and DVDs, and Microsoft Surfaces and iPads for students and teachers. What makes the HUB even more unique is that it can be found in the center of each floor, surrounded by classrooms with sliding glass walls. This intentional design encourages collaboration among grade levels, teachers and students, and is a mark of excellence in learning.

The Nerd Herd was a natural extension of Glavach’s desire to develop a love for books in young learners and to encourage reading among students. A voluntary book club for students from first to fifth grade, the Nerd Herd meets weekly (first and

Manya is married to WCS alum Landy Glavach ’90. Even though his family moved away during his freshman year and he was not able to graduate with his class, he and Manya are thrilled that their two sons, Landon ’21 and Victor ’24, are able to attend Westminster.

Manny Gonzalez ’28 read “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson as part of the National Book Club for Kids.

“It was fun because she would help me a lot and we liked to ready funny books together and laugh,” said Emma Romaguera ’30 about her Reading Buddies mentor Katerina Berman ’26.

second graders meet monthly) to discuss their selected book. The lunchtime gatherings help them connect with other like-minded students who share their interest in books, and to discover new genres that they may not have originally chosen.

Students vote on the book choice for the month, read it on their own, and then come together over lunch as the Nerd Herd to discuss the completed book. They read about six to seven books per year, sometimes choosing a series or developing their choice based on what is being read in the classroom. More than 50 students are involved in the club at all grade levels.

Even after Nerd Herd members move on to middle school, they stay involved by participating in Reading Buddies, a service project created to promote reading in

the elementary by developing mentor relationships. Students like Alexa Arner ’26 and Katerina Berman ’26 spend time after school to read with students who need support.

“Reading Buddies is so much fun because it helps my reading buddy boost their confidence,” said Arner ’26. “I get to help someone realize how awesome they really are, and it is really rewarding to see their progress and growth through time.” With some students learning on campus and some learning from a distance via Westminster Connect, the Nerd Herd meetings have transitioned to the school’s online platform, Microsoft Teams, to host their meetings and to discuss their books. Students and parents also stay connected via the club’s Instagram and Facebook pages, sharing content, suggesting new books to read and showcasing how much fun reading can be. Visit them at @wcs_nerd_herd.

Like Glavach, other educators around the country were also considering how to continue to engage with their students and how to support them through the pandemic. Through her professional network, she found other like-minded teachers grappling with the same issue. Together, led by a professor from Hope College, they launched the National Online Book Club for Kids (@nationalbookclubforkids).

“A former WCS teacher and parent Kris Gritter, also wife to former Westminster middle school history teacher Ryan Gritter, reached out to me about this opportunity,” said Glavach. “It has been amazing to work with a group of educators from around the country to come together around books.”

Students from fourth through sixth grade met on Zoom weekly to discuss a selected book, not only with each other, but also with the author. The up-close and personal interaction with a book’s author was especially enticing for students.

“I like to listen to the authors tell stories about their lives. When we met Cece Bell, she showed us her phonic ear and that was neat,” Elisa La Rosa ’27 shared. “I like to find out what books other people are reading so I can read them too.” The Club held its first meeting on April 2 with author Ruth Vander Zee answering questions about her latest book, “Next Year: Hope in the Dust.” Vander Zee is the mother of elementary art teacher Anne Heetderks and has visited Westminster on several occasions as a guest author. The club meetings last about an hour with the authors explaining details about their books and answering questions from students in a small group format.

Since that first week, the book club has taken off like wildfire and now hundreds of students meet weekly to hear from authors and discuss books. Children’s authors such as Cece Bell and Alan Gratz as well as several Newbery authors Meg Medina and Katherine Paterson have all volunteered their time to share with the students.

Westminster fourth grader Manny Gonzalez said it inspired him to read during this difficult time. “I like meeting the authors and seeing my friends and getting to discuss the books with others.”

Even Mrs. Sherie Abbey, a first grade teacher at Westminster, volunteered her time in the National Book Club for Kids meetings to engage in meaningful conversations with WCS students and other students around the country.

The Nerd Herd in person and online has been a powerful tool for students to catch the reading bug. The pandemic, through the innovation of the National Book Club for Kids, has provided another way for our students to experience new literature and to personally interact with authors. A facilitator with the National Book Club could not have said it better, “Our authors and their books are shining light into dark and broken places, and doors are being opened to meet and identify with remarkable people.” While teaching and learning online may not always be ideal, innovations like these can be absolutely fantastic for students and serve to underscore Westminster’s pursuit of excellence through innovation.