By Lavelle Carlson
Recently at Galleria Dallas, I stumbled onto a small scene that felt huge: clusters of young children and caregivers leaning in — smiling, giggling, pointing — while lively readers brought picture books to life.
One of those readers was Cleo Greene, an award-winning broadcaster from NBC DFW’s Texas Today. The energy was pure joy. You could see it on every little face.
As I observed (and couldn’t resist joining the fun), I spoke with a few of the adults behind the scenes who help make moments like this happen, evidently more than just once in a while, from what I was told.
Carol Goglia, president and CEO of Catch Up and Read, and board member — and fellow speech-language pathologist — Dina Vasquez filled me in on the organization’s work across many Dallas-area schools.
Here’s what struck me: This isn’t just “feel-good” reading time.
Neighborhood Spotlight
Preston Hollow
Catch Up and Read is a serious, strategic part of our community’s literacy “village.” Its team members provide additional training and services to literacy teachers, empowering the grown-ups who shape children’s reading journeys all year long. And they’re investing in it at scale — over $2 million this past year in tutoring for almost 800 students across 21 school sites, with teachers trained in science-based intervention. That’s real muscle behind the mission.
As a speech-language pathologist, I’ve seen how early, consistent, science-based instruction changes trajectories. When teachers are equipped with practical, research-grounded strategies, children don’t just “catch up” — they build the stamina and confidence to keep going. Add caregivers who feel welcome and involved, and you get a multiplier effect: more talk, more print, more practice, more wins.
What I witnessed at the mall:
• Joyful engagement: Kids weren’t passive. They predicted, repeated, acted out sounds, and asked questions.
• Caregiver modeling: Grown-ups echoed rich language — naming, describing, and connecting story moments to real life.
• Community visibility: Seeing a well-known broadcaster reading to kids signals that literacy is everyone’s business.
The village, working together
Catch Up and Read shows what the “village” looks like when it’s humming:
• Teachers gain targeted training and ongoing support.
• Students receive tutoring that aligns with classroom instruction.
• Families meet literacy where they are — school, home, and yes, even the mall.
• Community partners bring visibility, resources, and pride to the effort.
A closing note of gratitude
To Carol Goglia, Dina Vasquez, the readers (including the NBC DFW Texas Today guest), the tutors, teachers, caregivers, and — most of all — the kids: thank you for reminding me what it looks like when a community shows up.
Catch Up and Read is an excellent part of our village, and the results are measurable and memorable: dollars invested, students tutored, schools served — and countless sparks of joy that keep young readers reaching for the next page.
Here’s to more reading corners in unexpected places, more trained teachers with tools that work, and more children who know the village is cheering them on — loudly, lovingly, and every single day.
Lavelle Carlson, a retired speech-language pathologist and award-winning author of books for young children, has grandchildren who attend The Lamplighter School and the Episcopal School of Dallas.
