On Tuesday morning, three Title I schools in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) took part in the district’s first-ever Reading & Robes initiative, where Maryland state judges read aloud to students from culturally diverse books centered on justice and fairness.
Wearing their black judicial robes, the judges visited Twinbrook (Rockville), Rolling Terrace (Takoma Park), and Greencastle (Silver Spring) elementary schools, engaging students with stories that promote literacy while fostering a better understanding of the judicial system. The program also gave students the chance to interact with positive role models.
“I hope the kids realize that judges are ordinary people, just like them,” said Louis Leibowitz, associate judge at the Montgomery County Circuit Court, who read to students at Twinbrook. “I hope the stories we share inspire them to believe that they too can achieve success.”
Rolling Terrace Principal Isabelle Mensah emphasized that this initiative has the potential to shape the future for MCPS students. “This is an amazing opportunity for our students to see how dedication and education can lead to an exciting career that positively impacts our communities,” said Mensah.
According to MCPS, “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.” Photo courtesy MCPS