Janet Caruthers, Ed. S.
Phone: 1.800.585.1893
janet@makereadingfirst.com


I am a reading specialist at Wimauma Elementary School in Hillsborough County, Florida. I have been a teacher for over 27 years with most of my experience at the elementary level. I have a B.A. degree in  Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of South Florida, a Masters degree in English, and an Ed. S.(Educational Specialist degree in reading through Nova Southeastern University.

Why have I chosen "building background knowledge and vocabulary" as the focus of my work?

I have personally seen the heartbreak of children entering school without the background knowledge and experiences to learn to read. I have also been involved with those same children as they progressed through the grades still reading years below their grade level and struggling through each year. An unsuccessful student develops low self-esteem, which creates more problems. I am doing everything in my power to build awareness and to educate parents about the importance of building their children's general knowledge of common things and the importance of reading to their children early in life.  In addition, I am offering tips on how parents of school age children can help their children become better readers. I also do workshops for parents, giving advice on how to conduct the most effective book-sharing experiences.

I am also a consultant to homeschooling parents interested in determining their children's instructional and independent reading levels.  Once this is determined, I give advice on how parents can best help their child progress.  I also present special workshops for home schooling groups and parent groups on developing vocabulary in children. 

My dedication to children's literacy is reflected in the type of material I write for teachers in the classroom and for parents at home.