ALLENDALE, Mich. — "Am I nervous about the first day of school? I mean, sure! After all, have you ever seen how slowly sloths walk? Like, I probably should have left yesterday," read Principal Blake Smolen in the voice of a cartoon sloth, from the book First Day Critter Jitters.
He posted the video on the Sunday before the first day of school. Being the principal of Allendale Early Childhood Center, "Story Time with Mr. Smolen" on YouTube has been a source of weekly joy for students and families.
"It's kind of funny. I feel like kind of a celebrity at times," said Smolen. "Because all these kids, 'I saw you on TV, I saw you in my mom's phone,' and it makes me feel good, but I just want to be there for the kids, for the families, to get them to develop that love of books and love of reading."
Smolen began posting videos on his YouTube channel of him reading a children's book every Sunday since 2019. He simply records with his laptop's camera and reads books on a variety of topics in lively, and animated voices.
"One of the reasons I went into education is I wanted to be a positive male role model in kids lives who might not have that person at home," said Smolen. "I'm a very high-energy person because I feel like if I've got the energy, it's going to wear off on not only our students, but also our staff, and just to spark that joy and that love of learning and wanting to be at school."
Having posted around 400 videos, ranging from hundreds to more than 20,000 views, Smolen picks books that oftentimes discuss difficult situations students may encounter in school, and about topics such as emotional regulation.
He also reads books that can teach about holidays, or topics that coincide with teacher lesson plans.
"They're learning how to do school, but they're also just learning how to be a great little person," said Smolen. "We want to be great humans, let alone great students. So how can we carry that over into not just here at school, but at home as well?"
Smolen has never missed doing a weekly video for the past six years, and says its the excitement that it brings students that keeps him going.
"I know that kiddos really wait for it. They enjoy it, they look forward to it. So I definitely don't want to let those students and families down," said Smolen. "I'll do it to the day I retire."