We Train Teachers
To Reach Every Child.

I have been a special educator since 1997. The hardest thing for me is following a program; when I am so used to creating, and modifying. It is so wonderful to have a scripted program; that leaves no worries for me. I am glad to help the regular education teachers to intervene with students before they need further layers of help/special education. What this program and you give back to our children, is beyond words! This district is far beyond many! It’s such a beautiful thing!

Thank you for the wonderful support with DI (Reading Mastery) program. I have been teaching this program for the past four years. I have seen so much growth with my students. I had a student who started with reading intervention and, in two years of Reading Mastery, is now reading above grade level. I’m proud to say that I have a special education student that has just started DI program this year. I’m very excited to see where this student will go. This program has made me a better teacher and my students better readers.

As a reading interventionist at Bethel Elementary School serving the K-5 population, I have found the Direct Instruction reading program to be an invaluable tool in supporting the struggling readers that I work with.  This research based program “teaches to mastery” by continuously cycling back to solidify taught skills, while introducing new concepts. It provides for an explicit and systematic approach to reading instruction. I have found this approach works well for students that have learning gaps in their foundational reading skills (phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency).   Eventually, the program leads into the “reading to learn” skills (vocabulary building and comprehension.) Direct Instruction has been quick to learn, and easy to implement and follow due to the well designed layout of the teacher and student materials as well as effective training and coaching sessions. There is manageable prep time, which has been a life saver due to the large caseload of students that I serve.  The lessons are carefully planned and designed to teach in small increments, establishing student mastery and independence as they take on new skills. The built-in guided practice, scaffolding and active student participation lead to a solid and firm foundation. I find that the explicit step by step strategies and specific correction procedures that are an integral part of this program can be used effectively in other instructional settings as well.  I also appreciate the built-in progress monitoring system which  shows growth over time in an organized and quickly accessible manner.  I am very grateful to have Direct Instruction as a teaching tool in my mission of supporting students as they take on the task of learning to read.

As a teacher that has been introduced to a few different literacy programs, I was most impressed by the training I received for Direct Instruction. Without the practice and support from Janie and Donna, I feel as though my skills as a teacher for reading would be missing key strategies and ideas. Seeing the impact I am making after the training, I am feeling better about getting my students to become strong readers. The training was informative, concise, and not only informed me on the program, but also helped me grow in my practice as an educator. It allowed me to reflect, and I was not expecting that!

Perhaps the most rewarding outcome has been seeing the real, life-changing impact on our students. After just two years in the program, we began seeing students exit Title I and Special Education services—a true testament to the power and effectiveness of Reading Mastery. We wholeheartedly recommend Reading Mastery to any school looking to implement a science-based, results-driven reading program. It has been a game-changer for our staff and, most importantly, for our students.

The monthly and then bi-monthly coaching provided throughout the year has been instrumental in ensuring we maintain fidelity to the program. These sessions weren’t just check-ins—they were genuine opportunities for reflection, support, and growth. A special acknowledgment goes to Janie, who has been an exceptional coach and support system. Whether we were unsure about how to deliver a lesson or needed help with a specific concept, Janie was always willing to step in and demonstrate a lesson, provide immediate feedback, and was consistently available for questions and guidance. Her dedication made a huge difference in our confidence and success with the program.

The Reading Mastery program has dramatically transformed our teaching methods, bringing a renewed sense of purpose and direction to our literacy instruction. Aligned with the Science of Reading, this program offers a structured, research-based approach that has made a measurable difference in our students’ progress. One of the most impressive aspects of Reading Mastery is how quickly we began to see results. Almost immediately after implementation, student engagement and performance began to improve. The program’s cumulative design, where each lesson builds on previous content, ensures that students gain confidence and mastery at every step.

I think DI has helped me become a better reader because I didn’t start off as good as I am now. I feel like people recognize that I have grown as a reader.

Yes, I feel that I’ve grown as a reader because when I’m reading books, I can read more words in it. They’re way longer.

We love you! You have been such a great teacher and motivator!