phonological awareness
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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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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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Unlocking the Door to Reading: 5 Essential Pre-Reading Skills to Foster Before Kindergarten
The journey to becoming a confident reader begins long before a child can decipher their first word. This foundational stage, known as…
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A Parent’s Guide to Phonological Awareness: The Most Critical Early Reading Skill
Unlock the door to literacy long before your child picks up a book. Discover the foundational skill that predicts reading success and…
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Phonemic Awareness vs. Phonics: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Understanding the difference between phonemic awareness and phonics is essential for both parents and educators working to build strong, confident readers. Though…
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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





