This month, the Office of Innovative Teaching and Academic Engagement (ITAE) took its staff retreat beyond the walls of the university and into the Birmingham community.

The team of about 25 staff members volunteered at Better Basics, a local nonprofit dedicated to advancing literacy and fostering a love of reading among vulnerable public school students.

Better Basics works to provide books, reading programs, and enrichment opportunities for students across central Alabama.

During the visit, ITAE staff wrote personal, encouraging notes and decorated and stuffed them in envelopes for children struggling with reading and math. The notes will accompany free books the children will receive during the school year.

This year, the office chose to participate in a community engagement activity as part of their annual retreat to combine team development with community service.

“We wanted our time together to reflect our UAB Shared Values as well as our mission and vision,” said Scott Phillips, Ph.D., vice provost for Innovative Teaching and Academic Engagement. “As an institution, we believe in learning from and giving back to the community around us. We’re telling all our students that “the city is our classroom” and we wanted to lead by example.”

Better Basics empowers children across Alabama by equipping them with foundational academic skills and educational opportunities for lifelong success. It serves thousands of children each year through programs in reading intervention, enrichment, and literacy promotion.