CHAMPION — A Trumbull Career & Technical Center instructor who has attended conferences and seminars discussing TCTC Tales, which focuses on literacy and reading, also had the opportunity to meet with Gov. Mike DeWine and first lady Fran DeWine on the initiative.

TCTC launched TCTC Tales, which is a new countywide literacy initiative designed to inspire young readers and strengthen community collaboration around literacy development.

Kristofer Doran, an interactive multimedia instructor at TCTC who last year was named Ohio ACTE Career-Technical Excellence Award Teacher of the Year and Ohio School Boards Association’s 2025 District 9 Teacher of the Year, told center officials and the board of education that he was invited in December to the governor’s mansion, where he shared TCTC’s leadership in literacy initiatives and the goals of TCTC Tales.

He said Fran DeWine has partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free books for children from birth to age 5 that Gov. DeWine has championed statewide.

DeWine has hosted events, raises funds and promotes the program, which is now available to every eligible child in Ohio.

Doran said Fran DeWine was very interested in TCTC Tales and how the initiative introduces children to different careers.

He said the DeWines were impressed with the collaboration among schools created by TCTC Tales.

He said TCTC Tales launched an original children’s book series that targets careers and connects students throughout the county. Liberty and Howland elementary students already have signed on to participate.

Developed by the TCTC Literacy Committee in partnership with students in Doran’s interactive multimedia program, TCTC Tales combines video episodes, children’s books and hands-on classroom resources to promote literacy among early learners across Trumbull County.

TCTC officials said as part of the launch, TCTC will distribute an initial kit of seven books — along with lesson plans, extension activities created by students in TCTC’s Education and Family Services program, and access to the new TCTC Tales show to all 20 associated school districts.

Cara DeToro, academic and literacy committee supervisor, said the materials are designed for use primarily with students in grades 1 to 3 and connect literacy learning with real-world career exploration.

“TCTC Tales is designed to inspire our next generation of reader leaders. Each episode highlights one of the many career pathways offered at TCTC, introduces meaningful vocabulary and pairs learning with a featured children’s book. We’re excited to bring these resources to classrooms across the county,” DeToro said.

She said beginning this year, districts will receive new TCTC Tales episodes, books and lesson plans, with each installment spotlighting a different career / technical program.

Doran said whenever he is presenting at a seminar or conference and discusses TCTC Tales, many educators are very interested in the program.

“There is also a lot of excitement at the conferences. TCTC has the opportunity to be a leader with TCTC Tales and literacy,” Doran said.

DeToro said TCTC Tales is a direct extension of Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement and supports TCTC’s recently developed Literacy Plan, which prioritizes community collaboration to improve reading outcomes.

She said over the past three years, TCTC educators have engaged in extensive Science-of-Reading professional development, and in 2023, the school was awarded the Reaching All Students through Language Literacy Grant.

The $200,000 grant has supported professional development, purchased instructional tools and remediation materials, and inspired the literacy committee to expand literacy opportunities for all partner districts.

“This is a wonderful community collaborative initiative. We are thrilled to see associate districts already adopting and implementing the TCTC Tales curriculum,” DeToro said.

Doran said local school districts have used the materials and resources and have had guest speakers speak about various careers in their classrooms.

Jason Gray, superintendent of TCTC, said school districts will receive additional books, episodes and lesson plans annually, each spotlighting a different career or technical program.

In addition, Doran is also part of the “Project 250 Acts of Kindness,” which will be initiated in local schools this year as part of America’s 250th anniversary.

Doran was also selected for the 2025-2027 Ohio Teacher Leader Network Cohort, where he will contribute to statewide educator leadership and instructional improvement. In addition, he joined the National Network of State Teachers of the Year, where he engaged in ongoing professional learning and collaboration focused on educational innovation and excellence.