How can teachers use the comprehension strategies put forward in books like Strategies That Work and Mosaic of Thought to help students become not just better readers and thinkers but also better test takers?
Missy Matthews received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Utah and her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver. She's been a multiage teacher, first-grade teacher, reading specialist, and kindergarten teacher, all at the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado. Currently she is a staff developer at the Public Education and Business Coalition in Denver.
"I always knew I wanted to spend my career teaching and learning with children," she says.
Missy loves the "process of inquiry; learners asking personally meaningful questions, exploring different avenues to discover answers, and developing new understandings about the world."
She believes that Put Thinking to the Test is the product of the authors' inquiry, "our own quest for answers to a real quandary."
Missy enjoys the outdoors with her husband, Steve; their three children, Allison, Kyle, and Rachel; and their dog, Daisy. They love sports and spending time with their extended family.
Cheryl began her teaching career at the age of seven in the basement of her childhood home. "I did a fantastic job of educating the baby dolls seated quietly on the couch. I've always loved kids and that love of kids propelled me into a teaching career," she says.
A graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, Cheryl is currently a third-grade teacher at Heritage Elementary School and a PEBC lab classroom teacher.
Cheryl loves teaching because of the fresh perspective that children can bring. "I love the things kids say and the way kids think. I love the reminders about the simple things in life that can bring delight and happiness. I love those read-aloud moments when all eyes are wide open in awe of an author's words or an illustrator's art."
Cheryl's motto, "see it to believe it," reflects her approach to professional development. "I believe in inviting teachers into classrooms to see the good, the bad, and the ugly. I think all parties learn from such experiences. Some content loading is necessary, and reading professionally plays a role, but the nitty-gritty classroom work tends to stick."
Her advice to those writing a book: "Find the smartest people you know and collaborate. Work a little on your own and a lot with your friends. Read everything out loud. Take time to laugh along the way."
Cheryl lives in Colorado with her husband, Kevin, and their daughters, Sammie and Carly. She loves to attend her kids' extracurricular activities, browse bookstores, watch football, and dream up home decorating schemes. "Vacationing in a warm, tropical place is always a welcome treat."
