DEFEATED, Tenn. – In a brick school tucked among the rolling hills of the Defeated community, the sound of pages turning replaced the usual classroom chatter as Governor Bill Lee helped launch Read Across America Week at Defeated Elementary. Walking through the gray hallways and countless portraits of past eighth-grade classes, Governor Lee passed numerous books that adorned the hallways, including many by Dr. Seuss. Governor Lee and First Lady Maria Lee visited two schools in the Upper Cumberland, including Trousdale Elementary School and Defeated Elementary, to read with students to kick off the state literacy initiative and America’s 250th anniversary. “Every time you read a book, something happens,” Governor Lee said to a crowded room of students looking on from their desks. “What happens? You get better and smarter.” The visit marked the beginning of Read Across America Week, an annual celebration of reading and its importance in education. In 2026, the week runs from March 2–6. The event, originally created by the National Education Association in 1998, coincides with Seuss’s birthday on March 2. The Governor and First Lady first visited Amber West’s kindergarten classroom. As the Governor entered, all the students sat on a colorful rug at the front of the room. A sign on the whiteboard proclaimed, “Welcome Governor Bill Lee.”
After reading a book about Elvis to the sea of kids sitting criss-cross-applesauce, students eagerly raised their hands to ask questions. Next, the Lees visited Kelli Martin’s third-grade class. The room was decorated with The Cat in the Hat hats and stickers. As the room welcomed the Governor, Lee began to speak about one main topic: uniqueness. “You’re uniquely made, different than me, both of us perfectly made,” Governor Lee said. Lee then spoke about what jobs the students wanted to pursue. From YouTubers and zookeepers to even a NASCAR driver, Lee stressed the importance of reading. “All of those things that you just listed off that they wanted to do, you gotta learn how to read, to do all of those things well,” Governor Lee said. After answering various questions from personal questions to whether he’s met the President of the United States, Lee thanked the teachers standing in the back of the packed classroom. “Sometimes the work you do isn’t always recognized, but it is really important,” Lee said. “Thank you for everything you do for these kids.” The visit concluded with a group photo of students, teachers, and the Lees, marking the kickoff of a week-long celebration of reading across the state. For a couple of hours, the small town of Defeated seemed just a little bit bigger, filled with the voices and dreams of young readers.
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