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Named a Library Journal 2019 Mover & Shaker, Gwinnett County Public Schools’ 2019 Library Media Specialist of the Year and the 2019 Metro Georgia Library Media Specialist of the Year, Georgia Southern University alumna and Read Woke creator Cicely Lewis is making a name for herself as an innovator in the field of education.

With a talent for instructional technology and innovative reading curriculum, Lewis sought a school library media certificate from Georgia Southern's College of Education to make the transition from the classroom to media specialist.

Lewis says that the school library media certificate program required her to create social media accounts and participate in activities via the social channels. At first, she was hesitant.

Lewis’ social media presence helped create a platform for her now worldwide effort to get students to read. The program, Read Woke, began in September 2017 as a reading challenge for students to explore literature that challenged social norms. Lewis was inspired by current events and social injustices and wanted to do her part to make a difference.

As such, Lewis was honored with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top Teacher of 2018 award and as a 2018 Dollar General Teen Read Week grant recipient.