The Horizon School Division has launched an initiative to encourage middle grade students to improve their reading and writing skills.

Acclaimed Canadian Author Sigmund Brouwer is going to serve as the HZSD's Writer-In-Residence for the school year.

Director of Education Kevin Garinger explains the purpose of the partnership.

"We want our kids to be better readers, better writers, because we know that will have a significant impact on them later on in life. The goal is to work at meeting the needs of every kid that way and our students will be the benefactor of it."

Brouwer is very excited to join a "great division."

"The resources they have in place are phenomenal and the motivation is phenomenal and I get to be one more piece to spark the kids. My approach is we all love story and story is a powerful engine to get our students to do more reading and writing."

Brouwer spoke to teachers on Monday during their Collaborative Learning Day, he also met with principals and vice principals Tuesday during their administrator's meeting.

Garinger is excited about this initiative that first started to gain traction over the Summer after a few interactions between Brouwer and other teachers within the division.

"We know the impact that student engagement has for our kids around reading and writing. Sigmund's role in that is going to be significant in helping our kids and ultimately helping our teachers get to our kids so that we can ensure they are getting what they need."

Brouwer admitted he never had an opportunity to meet a writer growing up, he wants to change that in his role within the HZSD even if he can't be in the classroom in person everyday.

"I get to be in the schools essentially everyday via video, Skype, modern technology is making it so easy to stay connected. The combination of going into schools and then being available everyday for the students and teachers, just makes this, how high can you count? It's real exciting."

Brouwer is a best selling Author of nearly 30 books including the Justine McKeen series as well as the Timberwolf series of children's books.

You can hear more from both Garinger and Sigmund in their interview with Bolt FM's Clark Stork below.