Watch CBS News

Gov. Newsom Talks About His Struggles With Reading As A Child

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants kids to know it's OK if they have a hard time reading.

That's because he knows what it's like.

Newsom, who is dyslexic, told school children Friday he still gets stressed when he has to read out loud because he was laughed at as a kid for struggling to read.

His remarks to sixth graders came after he and his wife read to kindergarteners to celebrate Read Across America Day.

He read a book about a young girl becoming an engineer, while Jennifer Siebel Newsom read a story about a young girl becoming a scientist.

Newsom later told the sixth graders not to tease slower learners. He says he will "never forget" being laughed at when called on to read in school.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.