How Catch Up & Read Changed My Life as an Educator
“Catch Up & Read reminded me why I became a teacher.”
When Ms. Kymla Williams joined Catch Up & Read at Louise Wolff Kahn Elementary in 2023, she was at a crossroads in her teaching career.
Years in the classroom had taken their toll, and she was seriously considering leaving the profession altogether. But when she was selected to be a Catch Up & Read teacher, something changed. The structure, support, and renewed sense of purpose the program offered helped her reconnect with what she loved about teaching—and she never looked back.
In her reflection below, Ms. Williams shares how Catch Up & Read helped her rediscover her purpose as an educator—and deepened her passion for literacy:
“The Catch Up & Read program has been a transformative influence in our school community, significantly improving instructional practices and student outcomes. Through weekly, targeted Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and ongoing coaching from our Literacy Coach, our teachers have gained a deeper understanding of structured literacy. This training equips them with research-based strategies to meet the diverse needs of all readers.
As a result, this professional growth has had a direct and positive impact on student achievement—especially for struggling readers—by strengthening foundational literacy skills and closing learning gaps both within the Catch Up & Read program and in their classrooms during the school day.
One of the most notable outcomes of the program has been the impressive gains we’ve seen in our third grade reading scores this year. Many of those students have been part of Catch Up & Read since first or second grade. These improvements are the result of consistent, evidence-based instruction and strong collaboration between teachers and literacy coaches. Our students are now reading with greater confidence and fluency, which has led to stronger academic success across all subjects.
Catch Up & Read has empowered both educators and students, fostering a culture of high expectations, equity, and continuous learning. Without Catch Up & Read, I would not have discovered my passion for teaching foundational reading skills. I was inspired to apply for and earn a role as a Reading Interventionist at Kahn. I’ve remained involved in the Catch Up & Read program throughout my journey—first as a CAR Teacher, then as a Lead Teacher—and I am now pursuing my master’s degree in Education, specializing in Reading with an emphasis on Early and Late Literacy.
“Thank you, Catch Up & Read, for inspiring us and providing the tools, guidance, and coaching we need to help our students become successful readers—and to discover a love for reading.”
The program has made a meaningful impact on our school, teachers, and students, while also challenging me to take risks and grow into a stronger, more confident, and better-equipped reading teacher. I’m incredibly grateful for what Catch Up & Read has made possible—not just for my students, but for me, too.”
– Kymla Williams, Reading Interventionist at Kahn Elementary