phonics instruction
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Understanding Rules Around Vowel Pairs and Effective Ways to Teach Them Introduction
Vowel pairs, also called vowel teams, are an important part of learning to read and spell in English. These combinations of two…
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Teaching the Six Syllable Types: Building Blocks for Reading Success
Discover the six syllable types and how to teach them with clear examples, word lists, and research-based strategies. Strengthen decoding, spelling, fluency,…
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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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How to Launch Reading by Design with Success This School Year A Professional Guide for Educators Committed to Structured Literacy
The beginning of the school year offers a fresh opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students who struggle with reading. For…
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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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Understanding the Types of Reading Disabilities: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
Reading is a complex process that involves multiple brain functions working together. When a child struggles with reading, it is not always…
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Rebuilding Readers: Using the Science of Teaching Reading After COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted learning in every classroom, but as elementary teachers, we felt it most acutely in early reading. Students missed…
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How Kids Go from Learning to Read to Reading to Learn
One of the biggest milestones in a child’s education is when they shift from learning to read to reading to learn. This…
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Why Guessing is Not Reading: Understanding the Difference
When children encounter an unfamiliar word while reading, many will quickly try to guess what the word might be. They might look…
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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



