literacy development
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Dyslexia Risk Factors in Kindergarten and First Grade Why This Matters
Early signs of dyslexia often appear in kindergarten and first grade. Risk factors include difficulty breaking words into syllables, trouble recalling letter…
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Understanding the Connection Between Speech Difficulties and Reading Challenges
Speech and reading skills are closely linked, and difficulties in one area often affect the other. Drawing from both research and personal…
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When Reading Isn’t Clicking: What to Do if You Suspect a Reading Disability
As a teacher, I often meet parents who feel that something just isn’t clicking when it comes to their child’s reading. They…
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Should My School Offer Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Time?
Creating lifelong readers is one of the most important goals of any school. Educators are constantly searching for ways to foster not…
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How the Brain Builds Reading Fluency Over Time
Reading fluency is more than just reading quickly. It’s about reading smoothly, accurately, and with expression. Fluency is what allows readers to…
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Decoding the Difference: Sight Words vs. High-Frequency Words in Early Reading
A crucial distinction for educators and parents to understand in the journey of teaching a child to read is the difference between…
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What the Brain Actually Does When We Read
Reading may seem automatic to skilled readers, but under the surface, it’s one of the most complex tasks the human brain…
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Reading Games You Can Play in the Car
Turn Your Commute Into a Classroom on Wheels Long car rides can be more than just a way to get from one…
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3 Ways to Build Vocabulary During Dinner Conversation
If you’re a parent looking for simple, meaningful ways to help your child become a stronger reader, one of the most effective…
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Why Decodable Books Matter
When your child is learning to read, one of the most powerful tools you can give them is access to the right…
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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





