Students at Boyd Christian School got a real reading surprise Monday morning when none other than Governor Bill Lee and his wife Maria Lee turned out to be their “Mystery Reader” for the month of May. Tennessee’s First Lady Maria read the elementary kids a book called “V for Volunteer,” entertaining the young crowd with stories about Tennessee past and present. The identity of the governor was kept a secret until the last minute and thrilled the school when he entered.
Boyd fourth-grade teacher Hannah Johnson is the mastermind behind the Mystery Reader program. She began the monthly surprise back in August, never dreaming word would spread so quick that the governor of Tennessee and his wife would make it to McMinnville by the end of the year.
Johnson said the father of one of her students happened to work for Gov. Lee this year. After that father was a Mystery Reader for the class himself, one thing led to another. That was the golden ticket to snagging Gov. Lee as a magical Mystery Reader. Lee and his wife Maria took turns fielding questions from over four different classrooms as they were shepherded around the school.
They obviously enjoyed the interaction with all the young and curious students. After the governor lost his first wife in a horseback accident in 2000, he met Maria when she was his then third-grade son’s teacher. He spoke to one of the older classes, reminding them how tragedy can have a silver lining. He spoke of having faith and holding on.
Gov. Lee told the kids this was his first elected office. He told them he grew up and went to Auburn University and majored in mechanical engineering. A calling he felt to help others led him into politics. He said he and Maria stay busy going all over the country with engagements, but on weekends they like to relax at their Hereford cattle ranch in Franklin.
He praised the nursery and farming business of Warren County and was impressed when one of the students said he planned to not go to college, but to make a business of nursery like his family.
“I think that’s wonderful,” said Gov. Lee. “I know the nursery business is everything here in Warren County.”
Back in August at the beginning of the school year, Johnson got the idea to invite surprise guests from the community to her classroom. She invited students to spread the word to parents, grandparents, relatives and others to be a “Mystery Reader.”
“Students love having their family and friends visit the classroom and share in the learning,” said Johnson. “I think I originally ran into the idea from a Pinterest board and just made it my own with Mystery Readers. I’ve been very happy with its success.”
Those interested in being a Mystery Reader contacted Johnson who then “secretly” collaborated a date and time scheduled for them to come to the classroom. She also gives clues to the students to see if they can guess ahead of time who is coming to read to them.
When they arrive at the office, Johnson then organizes the big reveal. The Mystery Reader reads a story, answers questions from the class as a whole and may give their special student a big hug.
Boyd Christian School began in 1976 and is one of two private Christian schools in the county. Students’ last day is this week and the new school year begins Aug. 7.
Gov. Lee’s private school voucher plan which basically offers each Tennessee school-age student $7,500 if they opt out of public schools to attend private school failed this year. The plan was fiercely rejected by public school as well as home-school officials and proponents regardless of party affiliation in the last few weeks.
Also present at the special school event Monday were 43rd District Rep. Paul Sherrell and his wife Miranda as well as Warren County Executive Terry Bell.
