A Touchdown in Reading

An Educator's Guide to Literacy Instruction

A Touchdown in Reading reinforces the fact that every teacher is a reading teacher. This educational resource supports elementary school classroom teachers, reading teachers/coaches, and educators dedicated to creating a classroom and school that promotes literacy.

Kathryn Starke is a premier voice in this country for literacy instruction. Her prominent work is grounded by her firsthand experiences in the field working with students and as a literacy coach for urban and suburban school districts across the country. Let her help you create a literacy-rich environment in your classroom, school, and district.

DONNA DALTON Chief Academic Officer

★★★★★ 5/5

This book is well written and explains how to implement the strategies into your class the next day! Kathryn starts off the book with her first chapter on how to create a community of readers. I love the way that Kathryn has divided up the chapters into the five pillars that are essential in the developmental reading process. She explains why each pillar is essential and then provides examples of how to do this in your classroom. She also provides an assessment and writing chapter.

David T. Amazon User

★★★★★ 5/5

Growing up in Dallas, Texas, football is a large part of life. I have had the opportunity to work with Kathryn and NFL players to help elementary schools across the country tackle reading. Kathryn's expertise and passion for urban literacy education are evident in her successful execution of this national educational initiative every signal year.

Michelle Grimes Amazon User

About the Author

Kathryn Starke is an urban literacy consultant, reading specialist, author, keynote speaker, adjunct professor, and the founder of Creative Minds Publications. She has been featured on multiple media platforms including Success magazine, Inspire Me Today, Virginia This Morning, New York Post, and Thrive Global. Kathryn has served as a literacy trainer for the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute and VCU AmeriCorps program. She is the creator of Tackle Reading, an annual literacy educational initiative supported by the NFL. A native of Richmond Virginia, Kathryn graduated from Longwood University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master's degree in Literacy and Culture. She has taught first, second, and third grade and served as a reading specialist and district literacy coach for over a decade in inner city/Title I schools in Richmond Public Schools and Chesterfield County Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia. She is the author of Amy’s Travels, a multicultural children’s book used in schools on over twenty countries on six continents. The book was recently turned into a musical by the Latin Ballet of Virginia. Her books, Tackle Reading and A Touchdown in Reading are part of a national educational initiative supported by the NFL. She is a freelance educational writer for a variety of magazines including Education Digest, Edutopia, Teach Hub, and Literacy Daily, the publication of International Literacy Association. Kathryn was named one of the 50 Great Writers You Should be Reading by The Author’s Show and one of the top 20 educators you should be following in 2020. She has provided in depth literacy consulting in over 150 schools in some of the largest school districts in the country including New York City and Los Angeles Unified. Starke began her educational career in her home state of Virginia, which ranks in the top 10% in US public education.

Kathryn Starke

An Educator's Guide to Literacy Instruction

It specifically touches on the background knowledge and motivation in addition to best practices in literacy to meet every child on his or her reading journey. This educator's guide helps teachers create an effective literacy lesson at any grade level to any reading level. The book includes the knowledge and support for whole group, small group, independent practice, and distance learning.

A Touchdown in Reading

An Educator's Guide to Literacy Instruction