Recent Articles
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Why I Believe Every Child Can Learn to Read
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As a reading teacher and a parent, I’ve seen firsthand the frustration, tears, and self-doubt that can come when a child struggles to read. I’ve…
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Common Risk Factors for Dyslexia in Fourth Through Sixth Grade
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Explore the common risk factors of dyslexia in fourth through sixth grade, including avoidance of reading, limited vocabulary growth, and simplified writing. Research-based insights with…
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Dyslexia Risk Factors in Kindergarten and First Grade Why This Matters
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Early signs of dyslexia often appear in kindergarten and first grade. Risk factors include difficulty breaking words into syllables, trouble recalling letter names and sounds,…
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Common Dyslexia Risk Factors in Preschool Children
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Preschool is the right time to notice early signs that may forecast later reading difficulty. Consistent evidence highlights weaknesses in phonological awareness, letter knowledge, rapid…
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Characteristics and Consequences of Dyslexia
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Dyslexia is a neurobiological learning disability that affects accurate word recognition, decoding, oral reading fluency, and spelling. These challenges vary in severity, but they often…
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A 70 Percent Increase in Dyslexia Identification: What the Numbers Tell Us Key Takeaways
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2018–2019: 194,225 students in Texas identified with dyslexia 2023–2024: 329,247 students in Texas identified with dyslexia Change: 70 percent increase in five years (Texas Education…
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How to Help Your Child Sound Out Words Without Guessing
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One of the most common questions parents ask is how to help kids sound out words effectively at home. In the early stages of reading,…
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Steubenville Reading Success: What Every School Can Learn
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Steubenville City Schools in Ohio have defied the odds for more than 20 years, achieving some of the nation’s strongest reading results despite serving a…
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How to Request Testing When Your Child Struggles With Reading
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When a child continues to struggle with reading, parents often feel uncertain about the next steps. Schools are required by law to evaluate children who…
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Tove Jansson, The Moomins, and Childhood in Finland
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Tove Jansson’s beloved Moomin stories capture the heart of Finnish childhood, where freedom, imagination, and a deep connection to nature shape young lives. During my…
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Making the Most of the First Two Weeks of School
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The first two weeks of school set the stage for a successful year. This is the time to build strong relationships, establish clear expectations, create…
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Understanding the Connection Between Speech Difficulties and Reading Challenges
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Speech and reading skills are closely linked, and difficulties in one area often affect the other. Drawing from both research and personal experience with my…
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Creating a Yearlong Reading Goal with Your Students: Tracking Progress and Celebrating Growth
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Discover how to set a yearlong reading goal with your students, track their progress, and celebrate every milestone. Build motivation, foster a love for reading,…
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About Texas Reading Teacher
MaryEllen Gibson – Texas Reading Teacher
MaryEllen Gibson is a dedicated Texas Reading Teacher with a strong foundation in both education and business. She earned her undergraduate degree from California State University Long Beach and received her Teaching Credential from Concordia University Irvine. She also holds an MBA with an emphasis in Marketing and is CLAD certified in California. MaryEllen is ELIC trained, a Reading Academy graduate, Reading by Design certified, Science of Teaching Reading certified, and Gifted and Talented certified through the Texas Education Agency.
With nearly three decades of experience in education, MaryEllen brings not only professional expertise but also a personal passion to her work. As a mother of two daughters—both of whom work in the Texas Senate—she understands the challenges many families face. Her youngest daughter struggled with reading early on, giving MaryEllen firsthand insight into the journey of supporting a child with reading difficulties. Today, she is proud to share that her daughter not only overcame those challenges but is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. Hook ’em!
MaryEllen has been married to her husband Steve for 28 years and remains deeply committed to empowering young readers and supporting families through structured literacy and targeted intervention