Becky Clark

How did you begin your career, and what led you to your current position?

I always knew I wanted to be an educator. My earliest memories include me playing school with my dolls and my younger sister. As I grew older, I started volunteering in my church, teaching vacation bible school and teaching school-age children as an AmeriCorps volunteer for their summer reading program. I have always been driven to become the best educator I can be. After earning my bachelor’s and initial teaching license and beginning my first teaching position as a fifth-grade teacher in a self-contained classroom, I returned to school to earn my Master of Education degree and later my Doctor of Education degree. Throughout my career, I have served as a classroom teacher, instructional literacy coach, interventionist and, most recently, director of student support.

Here is a personal story about my journey be an adjunct professor and literacy coach/student support advocate:

I’m glad current teacher education programs are instructing future teachers on the science of reading and the signs of dyslexia. This wasn’t a requirement when I was working toward my initial teacher licensure. I wish it had been. My personal research began as a mom who was trying to discover why her son was struggling to learn how to read.

In our early days of preschool and primary school, I remember hearing comments such as “He’s a bright kid! It just takes some kids longer. One of these days, it will just click.” Well-meaning educators made comments such as these. The truth was that some children required a different approach to learn to read.

Through research, I discovered that my son, Lincoln, had many early indicators of dyslexia. Testing confirmed my suspicions. Finally, we were able to understand the “why” and he was provided an individualized education plan (IEP) and provided the explicit, multi-sensory, systematic phonics program needed to close the gap caused by his reading disability.

After several years of tears, frustration, and struggle from both Lincoln and me, my son was learning to fluently decode texts. His struggle led me to continue to gain knowledge in the science of reading. I accepted a position as a literacy coach, and I spent six years supporting teachers in their reading instruction and ensuring that every child who struggled with learning to read received the intervention they needed. My son began receiving reading interventions through special education services during his third-grade year, and he exited his IEP services his eighth-grade year. It took him five years to close the gap and perform in the average range on all reading measures. We celebrated his hard work and perseverance! I am so thankful for the many teachers who provided amazing instruction and support to my son throughout his educational journey.

Currently, I serve as the director of student support for a private Christian school in Middle, TN. In this role, I lead a department of special educators in meeting the various learning needs of the students in our school.

What are you reading (personal or professional)?

Professional: I just finished reading Dare to Lead by Brené Brown and I’m currently reading The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile.

Personal: I’m currently reading The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand.

How long have you been a member of ILA, and how has membership influenced your career?

I didn’t begin working as a literacy coach until 2016 when I moved to Middle, TN. I believed in presenting research at state conferences and presented at the TDOE LEAD Conference and PIE Conference in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Then, COVID happened and shut down in-person conferences. I discovered the Literacy Association of Tennessee (LAT) in 2021. They were having their 50th annual in-person conference that year, so I submitted a proposal and was asked to present my research at their conference in Murfreesboro, TN. I loved it! I discovered that they were a part of ILA. I also discovered that we did not have a branch of LAT in my county. So, in 2021, I decided to join ILA and LAT. I also decided to apply to start a chapter of LAT in my town. My copresenter and dear friend, Lauren Hawks, and I invited another fellow educator to join us and so began our local chapter of LAT: The Williamson County Literacy Association. We grew from 0 to 15 members in our first year (2022–2023). I serve as the founding chair. We are heading into our second year as an official LAT chapter. I most enjoy connecting with other literacy leaders and educators in my local community and reading the magazines published by ILA.

What do you consider to be your proudest career moment?

I have had several proud moments throughout my career. I served as a literacy coach at two different schools in Middle, TN and both schools improved their literacy data, thus earning the TDOE Reward School Distinction. I also personally provided reading intervention to students through the RTI model who improved their literacy outcomes, closed performance/skills gaps, and exited RTI without the need for special education support. I love meeting the needs of Tier 2 and Tier 3 students and helping teachers improve their Tier 1 instruction.

What do you like to do when you’re not wearing your educator hat?

My daughter is a childhood cancer survivor (acute lymphoblastic leukemia). She benefited from the wonderful Make-A-Wish foundation, so we serve as Make-A-Wish ambassadors and volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle, TN to support the activities and fundraising efforts so other children facing life-threatening illnesses can see their wishes granted. 

What advice would you give a new teacher that either you received or wish you had?

Never stop learning. The more you learn, the more you discover that you have more to learn. It’s OK to say, “That’s a great question! Let me research the best answer/solution and get back with you.”

What can literacy educators do to motivate kids to want to read?

Allow children to read whatever books, articles, and magazines that they have an interest in reading. Provide children the opportunity to discuss their selected readings with friends/classmates.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge in literacy education today?

We are making great shifts and advancements in the field of literacy education with the focus on the science of reading. However, change can be hard to face for seasoned educators. It’s important for teachers to feel heard and supported as they work to best support the literacy needs of their students.

When did you know you wanted to become a teacher?

I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher. My journey into educational leadership was another story. I decided to pursue a leadership role because I became dissatisfied with supporting only one classroom of 20 students. Instead, I wanted to influence change in a school of 800+ students. I also enjoy teaching part time as an adjunct assistant professor of education so I can positively impact current and future education leaders through the courses I teach.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up, and why?

My favorite teacher was my fifth-grade speech teacher, Mr. Warner. I wrote and published an article about him in the Kappa Delta Pi Record.

Which professional development books have you found influential in your education?

Know Better, Do Better: Teaching the Foundations so Every Child Can Read by David and Meredith Liben.

What is the most important lesson you learned from a student?

Students make me want to be the best version of myself. I am helping build up the next generation of citizens. This is a huge responsibility. I want my students to give me 100% of their focus, energy, and determination when they are with me. So that’s exactly what I give to them.

What is your favorite book to give as a present/recommend to friends?

Any children’s book by Max Lucado. I love his work!

What book hooked you as a reader for life?

The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis.

What has changed the most in education since you first started in the field?

The focus on the science of reading.