In this special bonus episode of My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis, host Jesica Glover sits down with Tammy Kofford, whose 30-year journey from classroom confusion to literacy transformation captures the heart of our bonus title: When the Teacher Gets It, Literacy is Unlocked for Everyone.

Tammy’s story begins in the era of whole language, where teachers were told that reading would come “naturally.” It wasn’t until she discovered the Science of Reading — and her own dyslexia — that everything changed. From that moment, she dedicated her career to training other teachers and giving struggling readers the instruction they deserve.

• • How Tammy’s early teaching years revealed the gaps in her college preparation
  • What led her to the Scottish Rite Learning Center of West Texas and the Alphabetic Phonics program
  • The breakthrough that came when she discovered her own dyslexia
  • How structured literacy approaches transformed not just her students, but her confidence as a teacher
  • Moving success stories — from a child who memorized entire books to a sixth grader who finally volunteered to read aloud

• Why teacher training, not just curriculum, is the key to unlocking literacy for all

“Teaching reading isn’t about giving teachers a program. It’s about giving them the knowledge to teach reading the way the brain learns.” — Tammy Kofford

If you’re an educator, parent, or policymaker, Tammy’s story is your reminder: teacher knowledge is the foundation of literacy. Share this episode with a teacher who’s ready to “get it.” When they do, everything changes.

Resources & References:

• Phillips Fundamental Learning Center
• Andeel Teacher Literacy Institute

This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS