There’s a passion in me to teach reading I wish I could bottle.It started with my first-grade students long ago and then with my own children—watching them crack the code of written language, seeing their eyes light up as they realized they could read anything. That moment when decoding turns into understanding, and understanding turns into joy? It’s magic. And once you’ve seen it, you want every parent to experience it.
I’ve become a reading evangelist. Not just because I was a teacher, but because I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when parents take the lead in teaching their children to read. Not waiting for school to do it. Not assuming it’ll just “click.” But actively, joyfully, intentionally guiding their kids into the world of words.
Parents are the first and most important teachers. When reading is modeled at home—when books are part of bedtime, car rides, kitchen counters, and quiet moments—it becomes more than a skill. It becomes a way of life.
Explicit phonics, daily practice, and warm encouragement can transform a child’s trajectory. And it doesn’t require a degree in education, just a commitment to show up, put in the work, and celebrate every small win.
But here’s the thing: not every parent feels equipped. Not every parent knows how vital their role is. And not every parent has caught the bug—the deep, almost irrational desire to teach reading that I wish I could pass on like a cold in first grade.
I’ve joked (more than once) that I wish I could bottle my passion. If I could, I’d distribute it like a public health campaign. So, here’s my tongue-in-cheek list of ways I wish I could spread the desire to teach reading:
Bottle it – A little vial of literacy zeal, ready to uncork at story time.
Inject it – Right into the parenting bloodstream.
Make it a pill – Take one daily with breakfast. May cause increased read-aloud enthusiasm.
Aerosolize it – Mist the house. Let the particles of phonograms settle on every surface.
Infuse it in coffee – Because nothing pairs better with caffeine than a craving to teach decoding.
Create subliminal messages – Flash “Teach Reading!” across every streaming service. The kids won’t notice, but maybe the parents will.
Of course, none of these delivery systems exist (yet). But what does exist is the power of stories. Stories from parents who’ve seen the transformation, who’ve felt the joy, and who want others to feel it too.
So here I am, writing my story. Hoping it lands with someone who’s on the fence. Hoping it nudges a parent to begin the process. Learn the steps. Practice the sounds. Discover how joyful and doable it really is. You don’t need to be perfect; you just need to begin.
Because once you’ve seen it, once you’ve felt it, I know you’ll wish you could bottle it too.
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