On-air personalities visit select HISD schools to show connection between reading and careers

Telemundo Houston weekend anchor Antonio Hernandez visits with students at Wharton K-8 Dual Language Academy.

A popular Spanish-language television station is getting HISD students excited about reading in a whole new way.

Through Leyendo con Telemundo, five different on-air personalities—including newscaster Paulina Sodi and weekend anchor Antonio Hernandez—are visiting classes at select district schools once a month to talk about the importance of literacy.

The visits are part of an on-going partnership between Telemundo Houston and HISD, in support of the district’s Literacy By 3 movement.

“Students are well aware of what Ms. Sodi does for a living and how that connects to reading,” said Braeburn Elementary School Teacher Specialist Norma Sosa. “She makes sure to communicate the importance of reading outside the classroom and the impact it will have on their adult lives. Students get very excited every time they know she is coming, and teachers say that after her visits, several of their students talk about becoming TV reporters when they grow up.”

Telemundo and HISD have also produced several public service announcements (PSAs) through this partnership. These segments air on both HISD’s and Telemundo’s channels and promote literacy among students, encourage parents/guardians to read to their children, and encourage community leaders to volunteer through the district’s Read Houston Read initiative.

“Our news anchors value their time in the classroom,” said Telemundo Houston Marketing Coordinator Rick Boeker. “We really appreciate the partnership.”

Interested in becoming a community partner? Visit the Strategic Partnerships website or call 713-556-7200 to learn how.