Calhoun County, AL – As part of Read Across America Week, Matthew Wade, a special agent with the Norfolk Southern Police Department, spent time reading with kindergarten and first-grade students at several local elementary schools in Calhoun County.
Over the course of three days, Wade visited nearly 100 children at Weaver Elementary School, Alexandria Elementary School, Wellborn Elementary School, and Trinity Christian Academy. During the visits, he read with students and participated in classroom activities designed to encourage early literacy and a love of reading.
Read Across America Week, observed during the first week of March, is the nation’s largest celebration of reading and promotes the importance of literacy for students across the country.
Wade, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, previously served two terms as sheriff of Calhoun County and as president of the Alabama Sheriffs Association. In addition to his current role with the Norfolk Southern Police Department, he serves as a community ambassador for the greater Birmingham area, where he focuses on building relationships and supporting local initiatives. His school visits reflect a continued commitment to service and community engagement.
Norfolk Southern employees and community partners participated in similar classroom visits across several states during Read Across America Week, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, and others. In total, the visits reached more than 500 students.
In addition to classroom visits, Norfolk Southern supports literacy initiatives through its Thriving Communities grant program. In Birmingham, the Literacy Council of Central Alabama recently received a $15,000 grant to strengthen early literacy outcomes for kindergarten and first-grade students.
The program partners with Birmingham City Schools and Coaching a Better Reader to train parents and caregivers to serve as at-home tutors. The initiative is designed to reinforce reading skills beyond the classroom and strengthen foundational literacy skills that support long-term academic success.
“Education is the foundation of strong communities and a strong workforce,” said Kristin Wong, Director of the Norfolk Southern Foundation and Community Impact. “From early literacy to adult career pathways, Norfolk Southern is invested in helping learners at every stage build the skills they need to succeed. Read Across America Week is a powerful reminder that when we show up in classrooms, support educators, and connect learning to opportunity, we’re helping open doors.”
Officials note that early reading proficiency is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success, making literacy-focused programs an important investment in the future of communities.
