Have you ever felt like you were doing all the things? You’re reading the research, listening to the podcasts, saving every new strategy. And yet, you’re still lying awake at night wondering: Am I really helping my students?
I’ve been there. Even with a master’s degree in literacy education and a reading specialist license, I still didn’t feel confident in my instruction. I was teaching the lessons, following the programs, but when my struggling readers didn’t make progress, I felt defeated.
Looking back now, there are a few key things I wish I had known before I started teaching with structured literacy. And I want to share them with you, so you don’t have to walk the same confusing road I did.
My Story
I’ll never forget the nights I spent replaying lessons in my head, asking myself what I could do differently.
I realized that my training, my degrees, and even my reading specialist title hadn’t prepared me with the practical knowledge I needed to truly help my students.
I wasn’t failing because I wasn’t trying hard enough. I was failing because I didn’t yet understand the why behind reading instruction.
When I finally discovered structured literacy and the science of reading, everything changed.
Lesson #1: It’s Not About Doing More, It’s About Doing What Matters Most
For years, I thought success came from doing more, finding new programs, attending endless trainings, adding more strategies to my toolbox. But the truth is, more doesn’t always equal better.
Structured literacy showed me that student success actually comes from clarity. It gave me a roadmap: what to teach, when to teach it, and how to teach it. Instead of trying everything and hoping something worked, I could finally focus on what mattered most.
Lesson #2: Students Don’t Need Perfection, They Need Progress
I’ll be honest, I’m a perfectionist. In the beginning, I wanted to know everything and do everything perfectly for my students right from the start.
But I’ve learned that students don’t need perfect instruction, they need consistent, targeted progress. Structured literacy helped me break skills down into manageable steps and celebrate the small wins along the way. And those small wins added up to big breakthroughs.
The same is true for us as teachers. You don’t need to have it all figured out right away. As you learn more about the science of reading, you apply what you can, little by little. Those small steps build your confidence, strengthen your instruction, and ultimately make a huge difference for your students.
As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Each small step you take in learning and applying structured literacy brings you and your students closer to success.
So give yourself grace! You’re learning and growing right alongside your students. You don’t need to be an expert to make an impact, you just need to keep taking the next step.
Lesson #3: Teacher Knowledge Is the Most Powerful Tool
The more I learned about structured literacy, the more I could make sense of my students’ struggles and adjust my instruction with purpose. Each piece of knowledge gave me a little more confidence, and over time, that confidence added up to real transformation in both my students and myself.
Programs can provide structure, but they can’t replace a teacher who understands how reading works. When you hold the knowledge, you’re no longer bound by the limitations of a curriculum, you have the power to adapt, problem-solve, and guide every student forward.
Because in the end, the program isn’t the magic. You are!
The Transformation: From Overwhelmed to Confident
Once I embraced structured literacy, here is what happened:
- My lessons became streamlined and purposeful instead of scattered.
- I stopped second-guessing and started teaching with clarity and confidence.
- My students began to experience the breakthroughs they deserved.
And maybe most importantly? I no longer felt defeated or “not enough.” I felt empowered as both a teacher and a learner on my own journey of growth.
Moving Forward: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or stuck in the cycle of trying to do all the things, I want you to know, you are not alone. I’ve been there, and I know how heavy that weight can feel.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out by yourself!
✨ If you’re looking for a place to start, my Free Resource Library is filled with practical tools and activities you can use right away. You can access it here: Free Resource Library
If you’re ready to go deeper, stay tuned! I’m creating something special to help teachers like you feel confident and supported as you bring structured literacy into your learning space.
Confidence doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from knowing what matters most. And when you have that clarity, both you AND your students can thrive.
More Resources to Support You
If this post resonated with you, here are some resources you might find helpful:
From My Website
- How the Science of Reading Empowers Teachers – Why teacher knowledge is the most powerful tool in your classroom.
- 5 Powerful Benefits of a Teacher Community – Why you don’t have to do this alone.
- My Dyslexia Story – A personal look at why I’m so passionate about this work.
- TPT Store – Ready-to-use games and resources that align with structured literacy.
From Trusted Experts
- The Reading League – Clear, teacher-friendly guidance on structured literacy.
- Reading Rockets on Structured Literacy – Great overview of evidence-based practices.
- National Reading Panel Report – Landmark research on effective reading instruction.
