At Lincoln School, nestled behind an ordinary door off an ordinary hallway, there’s a room where magic happens—a place where young minds are transported to cafes, construction zones, bat caves, and even outer space. This isn’t just any room; it’s the brainchild of Kristi Reusch, a dedicated reading coach who has turned a simple space into a hub of creativity and learning. Kristi’s journey to creating this innovative learning environment began with a simple desire: to help children discover the joy of reading.

One of Kristi’s most significant contributions to Lincoln School is the creation of the Reading Café, an innovative program inspired by her visit to the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. The Ron Clark Academy, known for its creative and engaging teaching methods, left a lasting impression on Kristi. “I was really inspired by the enthusiasm of the teachers and their ability to create motivating, engaging experiences for their students,” Kristi says.

With this inspiration in mind, Kristi returned to Macomb and launched the Reading Café in 2018. The first iteration of the café was a true café experience, complete with tablecloths, candles, and chef hats for the students. The goal was to help students understand different genres of literature through a hands-on, immersive experience. Each table in the café represented a different genre, and students were encouraged to explore the books and identify the features that made each genre unique.

The success of the first Reading Café led Kristi to expand the program. Today, the Reading Café is more than just a café; it’s a room transformation experience that brings learning to life. Each month, students in kindergarten through second grade visit the Reading Café, where they engage in activities tailored to their grade level. The themes are varied and creative—from a construction zone where students learn how to construct words and sentences along with picking up measuring skills to a pizzeria where they practice social skills by taking orders and being polite customers.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Reading Café is its ability to connect learning with real-world experiences. “We try to create experiences where students can see how the skills they’re learning in school can be applied later in life,” Kristi explains. Whether it’s performing character trait autopsies or making inferences at a crime scene or even developing an interest in space exploration during a space-themed café, the Reading Café helps students see the relevance of their education in a fun and engaging way.

Kristi’s dedication to her students and her innovative approach to reading instruction have not gone unnoticed. Parents and teachers alike have praised the Reading Café for its ability to inspire a love of reading and learning in even the youngest students. Kristi’s own children, who have gone through the program, still talk about their experiences at the Reading Café, a testament to the lasting impact of her work.

For Kristi, the success of the Reading Café is not just about improving reading skills; it’s about helping students reach their full potential. “I hope that kids leave here inspired, working hard, and having a positive outlook on life,” she says. “I want them to be kind, compassionate, and good leaders, with a love for learning that stays with them for the rest of their lives.”

As a Macomb native, Kristi is proud to give back to the community that has given her so much. She sees her work at Lincoln School as an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of her students. “This community feels like home to me,” she says. “I’m grateful to be able to share my love of reading with the children of Macomb and help them discover the joy of learning.” As we’re talking, I realize that there are real outcomes through Kristi’s programming, but also real costs, which the community has generously supported through Donors Choose and the Macomb Education Foundation. It truly does take a village, and this village has stepped up.

Kristi Reusch’s story is one of passion, creativity, and a deep commitment to education. Through her work at Lincoln School, she has created a space where students can explore new worlds, develop important life skills, and discover the magic of reading. And in doing so, she has made a lasting impact on the Macomb community—a place that she will always call home.