Bright School art teacher, Thankful Davis, was recently awarded the Literacy Studies Outstanding Paper of the Year Award from Middle Tennessee State University’s Literacy Studies Ph.D. Program.

Her award-winning research, “An Exploration of the Impact of Quality Illustrations in Children’s Picture Books on Preschool Student Narrative Ability,” explores how visual art strengthens early literacy skills, especially language development and narrative ability in young learners. Her work highlights the powerful connection between art and storytelling, showing how thoughtful illustrations can help preschool students grow as readers and communicators.

This honor recognizes exceptional scholarship marked by originality, rigor and meaningful contribution to the field of literacy. We are thrilled to celebrate this achievement as she prepares to graduate this summer.

Congratulations, Dr. Davis (almost!) — your work is already making a difference in the classroom and beyond.