Literacy Specialist Spotlight: The Joy of Coaching 

As one of the most revered coaches in the history of sports, American basketball player and 10-time NCAA National Championship coach of the UCLA Bruins John Wooden got it right when he said: “A good coach can change a game; a great coach can change a life.”   

At Wilson®, we believe reading opens up a world of possibilities. By empowering teachers to help all students succeed, our game-changing literacy specialists like Amanda McKinney are not just improving academic outcomes but also transforming lives—one young reader at a time. We huddled up with Amanda to find out why she loves coaching, and to take a page or two from her Wilson program playbook.  

Tell us about your education experience prior to Wilson. 

I was instrumental in bringing Fundations® to my previous school district in Virginia. As the elementary district literacy specialist, I worked closely with teachers, guiding them through the implementation of Fundations. This experience deepened my appreciation for Structured Literacy and laid the foundation for my transition to Wilson. 

What brought you to Wilson? 

Once I began using Fundations, I saw firsthand the profound impact the program has on students. It was clear to me that this was knowledge I needed to share. My goal has always been to reach and positively influence as many students as possible, and Wilson provided the perfect platform to do just that.

How does your role contribute to achieving our vision of “literacy for all”? 

Reading is a gateway to endless opportunities. Beyond academic achievement, literacy shapes students’ lives in countless ways. Through my role, I can ensure that teachers have the knowledge and tools they need to support every student, helping them unlock their full potential. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

Coaching! I love being in schools, enhancing teachers’ expertise while positively impacting student outcomes. I’ll always remember my encounter with a building administrator in Ohio who eagerly sought me out to share her end-of-year assessment data. The results showed remarkable growth in the grade level I had coached, with a significant decrease in the number of at-risk students. Witnessing such progress is incredibly fulfilling. 

Can you share a memorable experience from the field?

Students are always welcoming and excited to see me when I visit their classroom, but one child is especially memorable. On my last coaching visit, he surprised me with a detailed drawing of me teaching a Fundations lesson, complete with Large Sound Cards! Moments like these reaffirm the importance of the work we do. 

Tell us why “Wilson Works.” 

Wilson’s programs are rooted in the science of reading and provide a Structured Literacy approach that is explicit, systematic, cumulative, and diagnostic. This multimodal instruction equips educators to address foundational reading and spelling skills effectively. What truly sets Wilson apart is its balance—providing a solid framework while allowing teachers the flexibility to adapt to their students’ needs. 

What have you found most effective in improving literacy skills? 

The gradual release of responsibility model (“I do, we do, you do”) is effective for all students. Modeling and offering ample practice with supportive feedback helps students gain confidence and mastery before working independently.

What do you hear from educators about our programs? 

Educators enthusiastically praise the resources available through the Learning Community on Wilson Academy, which offers implementation tips, videos, and printable materials—a one-stop shop for support. I also hear countless testimonials about how Wilson programs positively impact all students.

What advice do you have on how best to support struggling readers? 

Repetition, repetition, repetition! Struggling readers need multiple and varied opportunities to practice with immediate, supportive feedback. I’ve found that word chains, using both real and nonsense words, effectively move these students from accuracy to automaticity.  

What are some of the best resources Wilson provides to make teachers’ lives easier and help students succeed?

The digital tools and Fundations InterActivities offered online are invaluable. Teachers have everything they need at the click of a button. FUN HUB® Practice provides engaging digital activities aligned with the Fundations Scope and Sequence that reinforce taught skills and capture individual student results. 

What advice do you have for educators implementing a Wilson program for the first time? 

I recommend weaving in vocabulary and questioning as much as possible to boost engagement and foster metacognitive thinking. Effective lesson planning is also essential. By combining student data with tools like Activity Cue Cards and the Unit resources, teachers can create lessons that are both efficient and diagnostic. 

If you could go back in time to your teaching days, what would you tell yourself based on what you now know?

Efficient spelling instruction is just as important as reading, as spelling solidifies and reinforces reading skills. Simply put, if you can spell a word, you can read it—you own it. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself as a child. 

My favorite childhood book was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, though I cherished all his works. Growing up, I always knew I was meant to be a teacher.