Maryland Judges Promote Literacy and Justice at "Reading & Robes'"

Three Title I schools in MCPS participated in the district's first Reading & Robes initiative on Tuesday morning, where Maryland state judges read aloud culturally diverse books with themes of justice and fairness to students.

The judges donned their black judicial robes and read to students at Twinbrook, Rolling Terrace and Greencastle elementary schools. This program promotes literacy, encourages a deeper understanding of the judicial system and provides students with the opportunity to engage with positive role models.

" I hope the kids learn that judges are real people, just like them," said Louis Leibowitz, associate judge at the Montgomery County Circuit Court who spoke to students at Twinbrook. " I hope the books we are reading and the words we share inspire the students to believe that they too can achieve success."

Rolling Terrace Principal Isabelle Mensah said this activity can open doors to a bright future for MCPS scholars.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to see how dedication and education can lead to an exciting career that will positively impact our communities," said Mensah.

Judges read U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s "Turning Pages: My Life Story" and "The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall’s Life, Leadership, and Legacy.'" Students also received their own copies of the Thurgood Marshall book.

The judges who read to students were:

• Rolling Terrace Elementary School: Marielsa Althea Bernard, a senior judge of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County and a founding member of the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA), and Associate Judge Zuberi Williams of the Montgomery County District Court, one of the youngest judges ever appointed in Maryland.
• Greencastle Elementary School: Associate Judges Jill Cummins and Bibi Berry of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, and Associate Judge Aileen Oliver of the District Court.
• Twinbrook Elementary School: Associate Judges Steven Salant and Leibowitz of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, and Holly Reed III, an associate judge of the District Court.

The state's program is made possible through a grant from the Maryland Bar Foundation and the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Education Fund. Reading & Robes was started by the National Judicial College in 2019.