Veteran Teacher Emphasizes the Value of Catch Up and Read
Betzbeth W. Pagan, a 17-year teaching veteran, frequently talks about how Catch Up & Read has helped her grow as an educator.
In her account below, Ms. Pagan highlights the ways Catch Up & Read has strengthened her instruction and enriched her students’ learning:
“Being part of Catch Up and Read for the past three years has been an extraordinary journey of professional growth and meaningful impact. As a teacher in the program, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative effect it has on students. Using research-based strategies, we can close academic gaps while deepening our own instructional practices—particularly in small group instruction.
What I appreciate most about the program is its balance between structure and flexibility. The consistent routines provide students with clear expectations, while the adaptable strategies allow us to meet their unique needs. One essential component is the focus on foundational skills. Strengthening these core areas is critical; without them, students struggle to make progress in higher-level skills such as comprehension.
Among all the strategies we use, the read-aloud is my favorite. It brings text to life, builds vocabulary, introduces figurative language, and allows students to explore meaning through their own perspectives and cultural backgrounds. The read-aloud experience also creates a space for connection—it helps me truly get to know my students, just as they get to know me. It’s also a chance for me to share my love of reading and inspire that same passion in my students. It’s a powerful way to build trust, and foster curiosity.
All schools and all teachers would benefit from this program. I wouldn’t say this lightly—it comes from my firsthand experience of the growth and benefits it brings to everyone involved: students, teachers, schools, and communities. One of the most fulfilling aspects is seeing the increase in students’ self-esteem and confidence as they begin to believe in their own abilities.
Working with Catch Up and Read has helped me grow as an educator. It brings out the best in my teaching, and I’m truly grateful to be part of a program that makes such a lasting difference.”
“All schools and all teachers would benefit from this program. I wouldn’t say this lightly—it comes from my firsthand experience of the growth and benefits it brings to everyone involved: students, teachers, schools, and communities.”
- Betzabeth W. Pagan, F.P. Caillet Elementary