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Literacy Mentor Spotlight: Making Connections to Close Learning Gaps

As they say, it takes a village to raise all children into successful readers. One important subset of that learning community is made up of school literacy mentors like Ashley Davis. We had the chance to get Ashley’s perspective on Structured Literacy and the impact of implementing Fundations® in her district.

Can you introduce yourself and share your role within the school district?

My name is Ashley Davis, and I’m a literacy mentor for the Amanda-Clearcreek Local School District in Ohio. We’ve been using Fundations for two full years in kindergarten through second grade, and one year in third grade. I’ve been in education for 15 years, teaching first through third grade, and this is my fifth year as a literacy mentor.

How has Fundations helped your district achieve its literacy goals?

When I first joined the district, we were a balanced literacy school district. We are very rural and very small, and it was a process transitioning both students and educators to a Structured Literacy approach. Fundations has been instrumental in this shift, helping us start from scratch and build up foundational literacy skills. We’ve watched readers evolve, understanding phonemic awareness and phonics and progressing to more advanced literacy components.

How has Fundations impacted your personal teaching approach?

Fundations has been a huge help for me as an educator. It’s refreshed my knowledge of phonics, spelling options, and other foundational skills. I think we all learned these concepts at some point, but relearning them as an adult has been invaluable, not only for me but also for the students and teachers with whom I work.

What improvements have you noticed in your students’ literacy skills?

Our students have made significant gains, especially in spelling. It makes my heart happy when I walk by and hear them talking about concepts like the schwa sound or a rule they just learned. They’re making connections between what they read and why words are spelled or sound a certain way, which deepens their understanding and closes learning gaps.

Have you witnessed any aha moments with your students?

I’ve seen countless light bulb moments with Fundations. Last year, I worked with third graders, some of whom had experienced Fundations and some who hadn’t. When those who hadn’t previously received Fundations suddenly understood a spelling or reading rule, their eyes would light up. It was a clear “Oh, that makes sense now” moment, which was incredibly positive.

Can you share a success story?

I work with a lot of teachers every day. When we first made the switch to Structured Literacy, they were hesitant and overwhelmed. It was all very new to them. But as we jumped in and they began implementing Fundations with fidelity, many teachers, particularly in first and second grade, told me how amazing the program is. “Students love it! They aren’t just memorizing spelling words—they’re understanding them because of the rules and structure Fundations provides.” It’s been a success for both educators and students.

What aspects of Fundations do teachers find most helpful?

Teachers love FUN HUB®—it’s an essential tool for them. They also love all the visual resources, like Vowel Team Posters that students can refer to throughout the day. The Word of the Day and Word Talk activities are favorites because they bring in additional knowledge about text, synonyms, antonyms, and more. Those are the things I hear the most about, but overall, I think teachers just like the program and find it helps make their job easier.

What do students enjoy most?

Students love using the Letter Boards and coming up to the board to be helpers. They enjoy building words and marking them up, which makes learning interactive and fun.

How do you involve parents in their children’s learning with Fundations?

We provide a reference sheet, like a cheat sheet, for parents to use at home. It explains markups and other terms, helping parents who may not be familiar with Structured Literacy. We also host Literacy Nights, when families come in to learn about Fundations, and even our social-emotional dog participates. These are well-loved events that bring our community together.

What advice would you give a new teacher implementing Fundations?

My advice is to always be willing to learn and grow. Education is ever-changing, and Fundations covers foundational skills that are crucial for students’ long-term success. Prioritize these foundational needs, as they are essential for reading and spelling. Starting with a strong foundation will prevent gaps later on and ensure students are set up for success.

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