Parent Tips
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Why Cursive Writing Is Still Important in Education
Cursive writing boosts brain development, literacy, memory, and fine motor skills while preserving cultural heritage. Discover why cursive is still important in…
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How to Help Your Child Sound Out Words Without Guessing
One of the most common questions parents ask is how to help kids sound out words effectively at home. In the early…
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Steubenville Reading Success: What Every School Can Learn
Steubenville City Schools in Ohio have defied the odds for more than 20 years, achieving some of the nation’s strongest reading results…
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Understanding TEKS and Early Literacy: A Guide for Texas Parents
If your child attends public school in Texas, their learning is guided by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS. This…
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Meet the Teacher Night: A Teacher’s Perspective
Meet the Teacher Night is a pivotal event that sets the tone for the school year, fostering connections between teachers, students, and…
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Why I Don’t Assign Homework in Primary Grades—and What I Recommend Instead
In my primary classroom, you won’t find a nightly homework packet or a list of assignments to be checked off by tired…
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What Is Structured Literacy?
As educators and parents seek effective solutions for struggling readers, one approach consistently rises to the top—Structured Literacy. This evidence-based method supports…
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The Truth About School Supply Lists: A Teacher’s Perspective
As the back-to-school season kicks off, social media lights up with jokes and complaints about school supply lists. On X, Threads, and…
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Understanding the Difference Between an IEP and a 504 Plan: A Guide for Parents from a Teacher’s Perspective
As a teacher, I often meet parents who are unsure about the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan. Both support…
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Understanding a 504 Plan: A Teacher’s Guide for Parents
When a child struggles in school due to a physical or mental disability, parents often hear terms like “504 Plan” and “IEP”…
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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





