Excellent Reading Teachers

Summary

Teachers make a difference in children’s reading achievement and motivation to read. That’s why every child deserves to have an excellent teacher in her or his classroom.

Excellent reading teachers

Understand how literacy develops in children

Can assess progress and relate instruction to previous experience

Know a variety of ways to teach reading

Provide a range of materials and texts for children to read

Tailor instruction to individual students

Excellent reading teachers also motivate children, encourage independent learning, have high expectations for achievement, and help children who are having difficulty. They understand that reading development begins well before children enter school and continues throughout the school years—and beyond.

To ensure that children have the excellent teachers they deserve, IRA advocates that

Teachers must view themselves as lifelong learners

Administrators must be instructional leaders

Teacher educators must provide their students with a solid knowledge base and extensive supervised practice

Legislators and policymakers must understand the complex roles of the teacher

Parents, community members, and teachers must join in providing learners with rich opportunities to explore, practice, and develop literacy

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