Our Mission Literacy Builders is about helping children become better readers and writers. We know that many factors contribute to attaining this goal, but the one factor that can make the greatest difference is teachers. When teachers understand how children learn to read and write and know how to respond to the challenges they encounter, children’s progress can soar. Through quality professional development, we help build the understandings that teachers need to best serve their students. Working closely with and in school districts since 2000, we understand the real problems of real teachers in real classrooms and create programs and workshops that are hands-on and practical. We believe that thoughtful discussions combined with research-based theory and interactive training lead to more expert teachers. By informing instruction, we enable teachers to empower children to reach their full potential as readers and writers. Literacy Builders Guiding Principles Our overarching goal at Literacy Builders is to assist children in becoming proficient readers and writers. This begins with the people who teach them. We believe that effective change happens from the inside out. We know that when teachers understand the foundations of how children learn to read and write, they are better equipped to teach students. Teachers need opportunities to learn new techniques and strategies that inform their instruction. Their learning needs to be extended to their own classrooms, and they need support as they continue to question and try out new innovations.