ReadTheory’s Teacher of the Year Awards are Here

Beverly is the Lead Teacher for her elementary school program. She has incorporated ReadTheory into her student-directed Comprehension Club, where students create a poster board to set goals and achievements in reading for themselves. "Reading for understanding" is a key phrase that has come out of utilizing ReadTheory in her classroom.

As a ReadTheory Certified Educator, Katie goes above and beyond to engage her students in unique ways with ReadTheory. She introduces creative incentives like “SWAG TAGS” for students when they reach a new level, pass tests, or show kindness or respect during the school day. This positive reinforcement has led all of her students to grow on the latest DIBELS literacy assessment.

Carlos uses ReadTheory to prepare his students for state assessments. Every other Thursday, he hosts a ReadTheory “Power Hour,” giving students 60 minutes to earn points, with top scorers earning incentives. This consistent practice helps students gradually build their reading stamina and strengthen their skills, allowing them to stay engaged with texts for longer periods.

Fusun takes reading comprehension to the next level with creative, hands-on learning. She empowers students to craft their own ReadTheory answer choices, deepening engagement and critical thinking. From illustrating scenes to building 3D mixed-media models, her students bring texts to life. She also challenges them to write their own short passages and questions based on real-world science and social studies news—turning them into both readers and creators.

As her school's ELA instructional coach and intervention team leader, Lynn works with teachers to compile data from ReadTheory and analyze it together. Each week, students set goals and conference with teachers on progress. Top students earn Lynn's fresh-baked cookies to share at lunch. By mid-year, 70% of Lynn's students have gained at least one grade level.

Ame uses ReadTheory as an individualized learning path for each of her students. She conferences with students individually and shows them the data graph and progress they have made throughout the lessons. She promotes collaboration throughout the school by sharing ReadTheory access and graphs with the Special Education and Gifted teachers.

Students in Heidi's ELL classes consistently score 20 or above on the ACT, outperforming even the non-ELL students at college preparatory schools in the district. Her students have the highest AZELLA pass rates in the state. The state’s average pass rate last year was 9.28%, and Heidi's students had a pass rate of 55%. She is the ELL and AVID coordinator at her school.

Kolouia has been teaching for 40 years and is her school's instructional coach and testing coordinator. She is also the chairperson of the ReadTheory committee she created. She is always involved and creates incentives for students performing at high levels on ReadTheory. She constantly checks in on teachers, asking them if there is anything she can do to ensure their load is easier.

Patricia is the Director of ESL and the Academics of World Cultures Program. She's has helped international students get into top schools. She designs kinesthetic ReadTheory activities with learning stations around the classroom. At each station, students engage with passages and identify central ideas or themes. Her students' English skills have improved greatly through these methods.

Ed is a dedicated educator at a school for students with autism, where he harnesses ReadTheory to inspire and empower his students every day. Understanding their unique strengths and challenges, he sets high expectations while providing unwavering encouragement. Through daily reading trackers and meaningful rewards, he not only motivates his students but also builds their confidence, helping them see their own potential as readers and learners.

Recognized by her principal for her outstanding impact, this ReadTheory Certified Educator has helped her resource room students make consistent strides year after year. A featured presenter at the 2024 Community Insider Summit, she actively shares insights and tips with fellow educators. Through gamification, progress trackers, and personalized one-on-one support, she transforms reading into an engaging, confidence-building experience for every student.

Michelle uses ReadTheory during small groups and WIN (What I Need) time. She was Teacher of the Year for SCES at the end of 2024 and SCCS District Teacher of the Year for 2025. Her students strive to reach 80% and higher to earn points, which are used for rewards on Fridays. She uses the data to show progress on her school's School Improvement Plan tracker.

Deborah goes beyond reading comprehension—she builds critical thinkers. She designed a ReadTheory self-reflection worksheet that helps students analyze their mistakes and grow from them. Even through pandemic shutdowns and LA wildfires, her students kept making strides with ReadTheory. A passionate advocate, she shares its impact with fellow teachers and even took the stage at the LARAEC 2024 conference to present on its success.

Sunshine transforms reading struggles into success stories. Teaching English across multiple grade levels, she uses ReadTheory to empower ELL students with low academic skills, motivation, and interest—helping them pass the WIDA and graduate. Through consistent use of ReadTheory, her students don’t just improve—they make remarkable strides in reading, building the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

Sheila uses ReadTheory to curate engaging narratives and text sets while leveraging data to track standards mastery. Collaborating with her department, she helped design a spine-chilling horror unit filled with gripping passages that kept students on the edge of their seats—while sharpening their reading skills along the way.

Lavinia has led the English faculty in implementing ReadTheory, including trialing it, training staff, and providing best-use strategies. Her thorough data analysis informs instruction and helps boost student reading frequency, leading to clear improvements in reading levels, speed, and fluency. She celebrates every student’s reading achievements, no matter their level.

Lindsay, a ReadTheory Certified Educator and Head of Middle School English, successfully advocated for ReadTheory at her school, gaining support from her principal and staff. She incorporates weekly activities for ELLs, leveraging ReadTheory as an easy and effective way to differentiate instruction, ensuring every student builds and improves their reading comprehension.

Harindu, a ReadTheory Certified Educator, has incorporated words from ReadTheory passages into a “Word of the Week” project. This initiative has led to an increase in students’ vocabulary usage, in writing and daily conversations. She actively engages with parents, explaining how they can use ReadTheory to support their children's literacy development at home.