Former Amerman Teacher Julie Warum Returns to Amerman to Inspire Young Authors

 

There is a familiar warmth in the halls of Amerman Elementary, but for one visiting guest, the connection runs deeper than most. This week, the school welcomed back Julie Warum, a beloved literacy teacher who retired last year after almost 30 years of dedicated service to Northville Public Schools.

She returned with a very special delivery: her debut children’s book and a mission to turn her former students into "literacy detectives." The visit wasn't just a reading; it was a masterclass in engagement, bridging the gap between a distinguished career in the classroom and a new chapter as a published author.

More Than a Story:

Drawing on her decades of experience, Mrs. Warum structured her presentation just like the high-energy read-alouds she was known for during her three decades in Northville. The star of the story is Lily, a Golden Retriever on a mission to uncover clues and find out who stole her favorite blue bear.

To keep the group of 75 students focused and active, she reintroduced a favorite classroom tool: sign language.

"With so many children here, I can’t listen to all of their good thoughts at once," she explained. "But through signs, I can see their thinking, and it keeps them completely engaged in the mystery."

By "hunting for clues" in the illustrations, students practiced critical thinking skills, proving that reading is an active investigation rather than a passive hobby.

A 12-Year Journey of Perseverance

The story of the book itself is a lesson in patience. Mrs. Warum shared with the students that the first draft was written 12 years ago during a family ski trip in the Adirondacks. Inspired by a true story of a local dog and a persistent coyote, she wrote the entire narrative in a single night.

However, as she reminded her students, "I'm always writing, but I'm also always revising." The journey from that first night to a finished product involved:

• Decade of Refinement: Polishing the draft through many years of revisions to ensure it met her high standards for literacy education.
• Creative Empowerment: Developing a companion Coloring and Writing Journal to encourage kids to take the leap from readers to creators.
• Technical Growth: Mastering the steep learning curve of self-publishing, from understanding page margins to navigating the world of Amazon KDP.

Empowering the Next Generation

The highlight of the day was the reunion between Mrs. Warum and her former students. Seeing their teacher return as a published author after her retirement served as a powerful "full circle" moment for the Amerman community.

Her goal remains the same as it was during her 30-year tenure: to foster a deep, analytical love for books. "When kids write about what they read, it improves their comprehension," she noted. "I want them to see themselves as the illustrators and authors of the future."