Janet Caruthers Doolin, Ed. S. Phone: 813 642-9932 jcdoolin@tampabay.rr.com I am a reading/writing specialist at an elementary school in Hillsborough County, Florida. I have been a teacher for over 23 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, an M.S. in English, and an Ed. S. in Reading through Nova Southeastern University. Why have I chosen "building background knowledge" as the focus of my work? I have personally seen the heartbreak of a child entering school without the background knowledge and experience to learn to read. I have also been involved with those same children as older students and other students who are reading years below their grade level and struggling through each year. An unsuccessful student develops low self-esteem, which creates more problems. This pain and suffering by our nation's children is so unnecessary. I am doing everything in my power to build awareness and to educate parents about the importance of building their children's background knowledge of common, everyday things, reading to their children early in life and to give advice on the "how- to's" involved in book-sharing experiences. In addition, I am offering tips on how parents of school age children can help their children become better readers. 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. Speaking engagements: Summer 2004 Presenter: Collier County Summer Reading Institute October 2004 Presenter: The Florida Reading Association Fall 2003 Presenter: Golden Gate Elem., Avalon Elem., Calusa Park Elementary September 2003 Presenter: Early Childhood Association of Florida September 2003 Presenter: Florida Council of Elementary Education June 2003 Presenter: Reading Matters in Polk County Reading Conference June 2003 Presenter: DRA and Beyond - Manatee County Reading Conference April 2003 Presenter - Florida Literacy Coalition Conference Fall 2002 Presenter: Families for Fantastic Readers - Parent Workshop November 2002 Presenter - Florida Council of Elementary Education Member in good standing: Florida Association of Staff Developers International Reading Association Florida Reading Association Hillsborough County Council of the International Reading Association Phi Delta Kappa Charter member of the Tampa Bay Area Writing Project Author of the following books: The New Book of Knowledge Parts of Everyday Things and Other Stuff Children Need to Know Family Learning Time Author of the pamphlet: Helping Your Child Become A Better Reader Co-author of the following pamphlets: Why Should I Read to My Infant? Why Should I Read to My Preschooler? Back To Previous Page P.O. Box 5581 Sun City Center, FL 33573 Phone: 813 642-9932 FAX: 1-(866)350-4502 Click Here