The Ritual of Showing Up: Why We Gift Gold to Teachers
At BuDhaGirl, we talk a lot about ritual. We believe that the small, consistent actions you take every day—like putting on your bangles or setting an intention—create the fabric of your life.
But nowhere is the power of ritual more evident, or more critical, than in a classroom.
For a child struggling to read, the most important factor in their success isn't just the curriculum; it is the consistent presence of a caring, trained teacher.
This is why we have partnered with Catch Up & Read, a transformative organization dedicated to equipping teachers with the tools to guide at-risk students toward literacy.
The Challenge: The Consistency Gap
Teaching is an act of endurance. It requires showing up, day after day, with patience and energy. Catch Up & Read identified that teacher consistency was the key to unlocking student potential. They needed a way to honor the educators who went above and beyond—those who showed up for the hard work of after-school intervention programs.
They needed a symbol of excellence.
The Solution: Gold for Greatness
We believe that gold is for those who set the standard.
BuDhaGirl partnered with Catch Up & Read to create a tangible "Thank You" for their high-performing educators. The incentive was simple but powerful: Teachers who achieved 90%+ attendance in the program would receive a set of BuDhaGirl All Weather Bangles® at year-end.
The bangles became more than just accessories. In the hallways of these schools, the familiar gleam of BuDhaGirl Gold became a badge of honor. It signaled that this teacher was a leader, a mentor, and a consistent force in a child's life.
The Impact: +14 Points of Growth
The results of this partnership have been nothing short of inspiring.
When you honor a ritual, you strengthen it. Since introducing this recognition program, Catch Up & Read has seen teacher consistency grow by +14 points.
- In 2024: 95 teachers earned their Gold.
- In 2025: 103 teachers earned their Gold.
- Total Impact: Over 198 educators are now walking the halls with their "armor" of consistency, representing thousands of students who are learning to read.
About Catch Up & Read
Catch Up & Read (CAR) is a Dallas-based nonprofit that transforms the lives of at-risk elementary students by equating their reading level to their grade level. They don't just tutor kids; they train teachers to become elite reading interventionists, creating a sustainable cycle of literacy that lasts for generations.
Your Daily Ritual, Their Future
Every time you put on your own All Weather Bangles®, remember that you are part of a tribe that values presence. The same intention you set for your day is the intention these teachers set for their students: to show up, to be present, and to make a difference.
To learn more about their mission or to support their work, we invite you to explore their world.
