There's an easier way to teach reading and writing.
STREAMLINE. SIMPLIFY. STRENGTHEN.
You know how to teach. Let's make literacy instruction work better.
You've spent years building your craft. You know your students, you understand sound instruction, and you want to do right by your kids.
But fitting everything into the literacy block, making reading and writing work together, and sorting through competing tensions about what really works can make good instruction feel harder than it needs to be.
You don't need another program, initiative, or complicated new system. You need practical strategies that fit your classroom, research-aligned approaches that make sense, and better ways to make the most of your limited time so you can focus on the teaching that makes a difference.
Whether you'd like to talk through a specific challenge for a fresh perspective through 1:1 coaching or build your knowledge and try new approaches through my digital courses, you'll find practical support to help you make the work you're already doing even more effective.
If that sounds like what you're looking for, you've come to the right place!
I know what it's like to go home exhausted, wondering how you're supposed to fit everything into the day. Too many student needs, too many standards, too little time, and a constant stream of opinions about what good literacy instruction should look like.
After more than two decades in education, both in the classroom and as a literacy coach, I've learned that it doesn't have to be so complicated. There are ways to streamline the work, focus on research-based practices that make a difference, and make time for the things that matter most.My goal is simple: help educators regain their confidence, make the most of their time, and feel good about the work they're doing.
You don't have to figure it all out alone. Let's work through those literacy puzzles together!
Determine a goal and plan next steps
Get full, weekly support with your goal, including student data analysis, reflection, and refinement to ensure lasting impact
I work with instructional leaders to develop customized goals specific to your school context. Let's work together to move literacy forward in your building!
Fitting it all in can seem impossible. But it's not! Here are 5 completely different ways to schedule ALL the components of literacy instruction into a 90 or 120 minute block PLUS even more helpful tips!
Show me how to structure my literacy blockWith this cheat sheet, you'll learn the 5 simple steps I use for planning efficient lessons that combine reading and writing instruction in just ONE powerful lesson!
I want to save time planning lessonsThere's NEVER enough time. That's why gaining some of it back with things we can absolutely control is key. Here's a guide filled with 12 ways to do just that!
I want to figure out where I can gain timeSimple tools to help you streamline and simplify your instruction.
Show me more free resources!As a special education teacher teaching multiple grade levels, I’m always thinking about how to best meet each student’s literacy needs. Michelle helped me bring clarity and organization to using the different literacy programs in my classroom. From talking through which materials to use with different students to planning homework that reinforces our learning, she offered practical guidance I could put to use right away. I especially appreciate how she helped me see how everything could fit together. Her support has helped me feel more confident and focused in my literacy planning. I’m grateful for her knowledge, encouragement, and support!
If you are wanting some "do this day one" to kick off researched writing techniques, I highly recommend you reach out to Michelle. We talked through my first week of school. She told me what materials to start with, broke it down into a daily plan, and what that should look like for my particular population. This isn't generic, 1-size fits all.
I am so grateful for the time Michelle spent working with me. When I first started teaching the writing units, with my 5th graders, I felt overwhelmed by the structure and pacing. Michelle generously stepped in as a mentor, showing me how to make minilessons sharp, targeted, and engaging for 10 and 11 year-olds. She gave me practical strategies that not only were effective for ELA but was useful in other subjects as well. Thanks Michelle for not just meeting with me on our scheduled meetings but also replying when I panicked or had questions on the material. 100% recommend.
Michelle is very knowledgeable about a multitude of reading strategies. With Michelle's coaching, I have experienced within my resource classroom reading growth that is between 1.5 years to 2 years of growth for students. She truly understands different methodologies for reading and was able to help me implement the methods that worked!
Michelle Ruhe has hands down been one of the most influential teachers I have ever worked with! She has this incredible ability to break things down into manageable pieces AND facilitate the work and asking you questions in a way that helps build your confidence and a sense of pride knowing you got this a lot more than you thought you did!!!
I seriously do not think that I would be the teacher I am today without the wisdom and the knowledge that Michelle has shared with me and the ways she’s stretched me and supported me. I’m truly grateful for the impact she’s made on me as an educator!
Michelle's coaching cycles allow for teacher autonomy and meeting the needs of ALL students. She took the time to understand my goals, strengths, and areas of improvement. We then used real-time data to decide on my instructional practices. She offered best teaching practices and provided feedback. She checked in to ensure that I continued to meet my goal(s). She helped build my teaching confidence and was my biggest cheerleader! Her motto of "How can I help" is evident in her practice.
Misunderstanding. The culprit that causes so many issues. Including, in large part, the “reading wars” and the ongoing debate about literacy instruction. Case in point. Very recently I was talking…
There’s a whole lot of talk about teaching foundational skills for reading. But foundational writing skills are largely skipped. And yet, teachers everywhere want to bang their heads against the…
Whether starting with a new unit, returning from an extended break, or starting the year fresh, knowing exactly what to focus on can be tough. There’s a lot to consider. …
In comparison to any other school subject, teaching literacy is kind of a behemoth. Not only are there many pieces and parts, it also undergirds every other subject. It’s a…