Throughout history, women educators have played a pivotal role in shaping literacy instruction, using reading and writing as tools for empowerment and social change. In this installment of Women in Education: Then and Now, we highlight two influential literacy champions—Lucy Craft Laney and Dr. Gholdy Muhammad—who, despite living in different centuries, share a common mission: ensuring all students, particularly Black students, have access to meaningful and empowering literacy education.
In today’s classrooms, educators increasingly recognize the impact of trauma on students’ learning and literacy development. Trauma can affect students’ focus, comprehension, and even their motivation to read, presenting unique challenges in the classroom. By working closely with school counselors, teachers can adopt a trauma-informed approach to literacy that meets students where they are and supports both their academic and emotional needs. Here’s how teachers and counselors can team up effectively to create a supportive, trauma-informed reading environment.
