Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise-A Brighter World Through Education presented by Dr. Yadira Boston

The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise hosted a webinar during International Literacy Month featuring Dr. Yadira Boston, who discussed the literacy crisis in St. Martin and the need for a shift from passive to active, national-scale efforts to address it. Dr. Boston highlighted the long-standing contributions of Rotary to literacy initiatives but argued that more targeted, sustained, and measured actions are required. She posed uncomfortable questions about tracking students who drop out, the need for specialized training for literacy teachers, and the importance of following up on the impact of literacy programs. Participants shared personal experiences and insights, including the challenges faced by teachers, the intergenerational nature of illiteracy, and successful past programs like Project Reads. The discussion also touched on the role of technology and AI in education, with Dr. Boston emphasizing the need for balance and context-specific application. The conversation ended with a call for reflection on how Rotarians can more effectively support literacy efforts in their communities.