Manhattan Beach Librarian 'True Hero,' Still Reading To Kids

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Matt of Manhattan Beach, who nominated Chris Primm:

Where the nominee lives:
Manhattan Beach

Where the person who nominated the hero lives:
Manhattan Beach, CA

Name of the nominee:
Chris Primm

Name of the person who nominated the hero:
Matt

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:
No

What does the nominee do for work?:
Librarian at Meadows Elementary School

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
During normal school operations, she has arranged a program within the school library to see every class every week and to stay open at recess and after school for parents to utilize the library resources with their children. She also gears the program within the library to follow national events such as Presidents Day or Black History Month and proactively engages with the classroom teachers to ensure they have the resources they need for their current lesson plans while also ensuring the library program reinforces the topics of those lesson plans.

With schools in lockdown mode and remote learning in place, she has created a YouTube channel (beachlib) where she reads books for the elementary students (and the teachers and parents); one targeted at the lower grades and one at the higher grades each week. This has been picked up and followed by the librarians at the other local elementary schools.

However, that is not enough for Mrs. Primm. She also prepares lesson plans for each story which she provides to the classroom teachers so they can have a discussion about the lessons in the book either in their zoom classroom sessions or for the parents to have at home with their children.
To top it off, Mrs. Primm goes even further to have each of her stories also accompanied by a sign language specialist to help ensure no child is left out.

She is a true hero and someone we treasure in our community. Oh, did I forget to mention that she has a Little Library in front of her house for the neighbors to access? We love her!

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
She is an extremely caring person who puts others first and always goes the extra mile to ensure you have what you need with a smile on her face.

Thank you for all you do, Chris!

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

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