Boundless Readers 5153 North Clark Street, Suite 206 Chicago, IL 60640 p. 773.989.8582 e. info@boundlessreaders.org
© 2009 Boundless Readers
A Chicago Public School educator for more than 21 years, Rochelle Lee was legendary for her ability to develop in children a love of books and a lifelong habit of insightful, frequent reading. The founders saw the need and opportunity to extend Rochelle’s work to public school teachers and children throughout Chicago. Through her leadership of the Rochelle Lee Fund, Rochelle became equally renowned for her ability to inspire teachers to achieve new heights as instructors, readers, and leaders.
Over twenty years later, Rochelle’s philosophy and principles remain at the center of Boundless Readers work. Working with Chicago public schools and teachers, Boundless Readers helps create language-rich, book-filled classrooms where children are immersed in reading, discussing, writing, and listening throughout the day--classrooms where students have regular access to and choice of high-quality children’s books.
While the organization name has changed to better ensure its long-term sustainability, we remain committed to the original mission and principles Rochelle established. We honor her remarkable legacy in various ways including:
- Renaming our flagship Annual Awards Program the Rochelle Lee Teacher Awards
- Establishing the Rochelle Lee Tribute Award to honor individuals who embody the same passion for reading and dedication to excellence as our founder
- Renaming our review library the Rochelle Lee Review Library
- Retaining “Rochelle Lee” as a critical component of our new organization logo; and
- Establishing a Founders Committee History Project to capture the critical work of Rochelle and the many others who made the Rochelle Lee Fund/Boundless Readers what it is today.
Our Inspiration: ROCHELLE LEE
Giving children the gift of reading is the greatest gift you can give a child. We find our humanity through books.
Rochelle Lee, Founder
November 18, 1922 - October 10, 2009
Boundless Readers was founded in 1988 as The Rochelle Lee Fund to Make Reading A Part of Children’s Lives by a group of visionary parents and colleagues to commemorate the retirement of Rochelle Lee, an inspirational Chicago Public School teacher and librarian.
