Associate director, Chantel Touryan-Schaefer shares about her journey to joining the CTI team, why she’s passionate about her work, and her resource recommendations for educators and reading specialists.
My journey from a classroom teacher to a reading specialist is a testament to my deep-seated passion for literacy and the profound impact that reading can have on a student’s life. As a classroom teacher for nearly fifteen years, I had the privilege of working with students of varying backgrounds and abilities. It was during this time that I recognized the pivotal role that strong foundational reading skills played in a student’s academic and personal growth. I became determined to make a more significant difference in the lives of struggling readers, to help them overcome challenges, and to inspire a lifelong love for reading.
To better equip myself for this calling, I decided to pursue additional training and certification in literacy, dyslexia, and advocacy. Years of training allowed me to delve into the intricacies of reading development and intervention strategies, giving me the tools I needed to address the unique needs of struggling readers.
With my newfound knowledge, I made the transition to the role of a reading specialist. This change in my career path meant that I could focus specifically on helping students who faced reading challenges. I worked individually with students, tailoring interventions to suit their needs, and providing the kind of targeted support that was often necessary for them to become confident, proficient readers.
But my curiosity about literacy didn’t end there. In my most recent roles as Early Literacy Coordinator and as part of the CTI Team, I now lead professional development workshops, sharing best practices in literacy education to ensure that my colleagues were well-equipped to support their students. I now collaborate with administrators, classroom teachers, and parents sharing knowledge and insights to enhance the reading curriculum and instruction school-wide.
My journey from a classroom teacher to a reading specialist has been a fulfilling one. It has allowed me to combine my love for teaching with my passion for literacy, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformation that effective reading instruction can bring to a student’s life. Every day, I am inspired to help students discover the joy of reading and to overcome reading challenges. It’s a journey that I am grateful to be on, as I strive to ensure that every child has the opportunity to unlock the world of knowledge and imagination through the gift of literacy.
Resource Recommendations
Podcasts:
Melissa and Lori Love Literacy
Books:
Uncovering the Logic of English
Tools and Resources:
Dyslexia Training Institute – Resource List
Chantel Touryan-Schaefer was a first-grade classroom teacher for 14 years before following her passion for reading instruction to become a Reading Specialist. Chantel is a Reading Specialist and Certified Dyslexia Advocate in California and is working toward her CALT certification. She is currently a district level coordinator for Early Literacy as well as Associate Director at Chartwell Teaching Institute. She continues to support burgeoning readers throughout the state of California both working directly with students and school staff to enhance reading instructional practices.
