Testimonials

Thank you, Donna. I really appreciate the suggestions. They make complete sense, and I am already thinking of places to add similar supports for my Corrective Reading group! Also, thanks for your help with those assessment pieces.

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!

The best part of teaching reading with Direct Instruction is it sets students up for success each and every day. New skills are introduced with such precision, that students are highly motivated to keep learning. Their confidence in themself and the belief they can achieve new levels in reading is an amazing thing to be a part of.

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.

Thank you for your comments and guidance Donna, both during the lesson and in your teacher support form. It is most helpful as I truly want to develop expertise in delivering the program effectively.

The Increasing Student Engagement Online Teacher PD’s content is relevant to what teachers are experiencing in the classroom (i.e. building relationships, checking for understanding, planning collaborative groups, etc.). It references experts (Danielson, Schmoker, Fisher and Frey, etc.) and gives purpose and explanation for strategies. The strategies that are presented can be implemented into practice immediately.

Thanks to all of you for your coaching, listening, enthusiasm, and dedication, helping kids feel success and not fear reading! So happy to be a part of this team!

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.

For starters – I LOVE the effective feedback section in Module One, Increasing Student Engagement. This is going to be my first “new best practice” goal I can start right off with. I am really hoping that we use your PD videos as the launchpad for whatever teacher collaboration happens this year. Without the Corrective Reading and Reading Mastery materials it would be overwhelming to try to know where to start with so much of the material in the modules, but because that is all prepared and mapped out, we can begin to weave in some of your really good stuff.

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.

Thank you so much Donna. I always enjoy talking with you about strategies and ideas with the kiddos. You are such a force of positive energy, and I always learn something from you! Thank you for all you do to help me, and others improve our practice!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

Thank you so much for your feedback. It was really helpful to have you there both during the lesson to model things for me, and afterwards to be able to process it. This is always such a tricky thing to find time for and I really appreciate it.

I always love your feedback. You and Janie are the true meaning of a coach. Thank you for the amazing feedback.

Direct Instruction training set me up to gain independence within the program. The practices I learned not only gave me the structure and confidence to deliver lessons with precision, but I also applied them across other areas of my classroom. Now, as a coach, I’m able to empower other trainers with those same tools so they too can grow in their practice.

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.

Over the past 3 years, Direct Instruction has positively impacted me, as a teacher, and my students, as learners. It has changed my teaching approach completely. The program’s specific language, student engagement levels, and academic rigor inspire me daily to be a better teacher. Implementing Direct Instruction (DI) has truly changed the way I teach and the way my students learn. I’ve watched them grow into confident readers, and in turn, it has given me so much joy and confidence as their teacher.

Thank you, that means a lot. I think the world of both of you truly. I can’t thank you enough for the passion and kindness you share with all of us.