JCD Elementary teacher continues annual Dr. Suess tradition

More photos below

(OSGOOD, Ind.) – A Jac-Cen-Del Elementary teacher continued her unique Read Across America tradition on Friday. 

Read Across America takes place in classrooms across the nation every year to celebrate Dr Suess’s birthday in March. The goal is to inspire students to become lifelong readers.

Angie Maloney is a Special Education teacher at Jac-Cen-Del who brings a Dr. Suess book to life for the students. 

Each year, she dresses up as ‘Cat in the Hat’ for the entire school day. 

“I started it to hopefully make kids smile, help them love reading, and to give them something to look forward to every year,” Maloney said. 

One year she was sick during Read Across America and students were disappointed that Cat In A Hat didn’t make an appearance. So, a few days later she surprised the students by showing up to school in the costume.

Maloney has also stopped by nursing homes while dressed up to bring joy to those residents as well. 

The tradition started because her son was born on March 2, which is the birthday of Dr. Suess. 

“When I was in the hospital an organization came in and gave Dr Suess books to the new mothers. So, my love for it began then and one day I got the crazy idea to dress up as the cat at school,” Maloney said. 

She started the tradition while teaching at St. Mary’s School in Greensburg about 15 years ago.

"It's something the students really look forward to, especially if they have seen it before," she added.

Here are more photos of Maloney on Friday: