I believe that learning to read fluently and accurately is the most important thing a person will ever do. It underpins all future learning. I believe every student CAN learn to read, given the right instruction and instructor. I am a special education teacher who has taught many children over my career with learning challenges. I use phonics heavily in my reading instruction as this is where I have typically found the most need. My masters degree also focused on the effectiveness of phonics instruction for elementary-aged students. I like to think that I convey my own enjoyment of language and thus elevate what might seem like a basic skill to a child. I take language and the power it holds very seriously.