Welcome to Journey to Better Reading

Hi! I’m Cheryl, a literacy specialist helping students, teachers, and families. Through Journey to Better Reading, I share practical tips, structured literacy strategies, and resources to help every child become a confident reader.

I’ve been helping kids learn to read since 1992 — and I still love it as much as I did my very first day in the classroom. Teaching came naturally to me early on, and I knew right away I had found my calling. Kids have always gravitated toward me, and nothing makes me happier than helping them grow as readers.

Over the years, I’ve taught every grade from fourth through eighth and worked as a reading specialist at both the middle and elementary levels. After my first few years of teaching, I went back to school for my master’s in reading because I wanted to truly understand how kids learn to read, and especially how to help those who struggle. What I learned confirmed what I saw every day: reading doesn’t just “happen” from being around books. Kids need to be taught explicitly and systematically.

That’s why I’m so passionate about the Science of Reading and structured literacy. These approaches give every student, including those with dyslexia, the tools they need to read with confidence and understand what they’re reading.

Journey to Better Reading is my way of sharing what I’ve learned with parents, teachers, and homeschoolers. Here you’ll find tips for building skills at home, strategies teachers can use right away, and book recommendations to make reading enjoyable for everyone.

Whether you’re a parent advocating for your child, a teacher refining your reading instruction, or a homeschooler looking for fresh ideas, you’re in the right place. I’m so glad you’re here, and I hope you’ll come back as we keep moving forward on the journey to better reading.