About Me

Dear Parents and Educators,

My name is Tasha Roberts, and I’ve had the privilege of serving as an elementary school teacher for over two decades in the public school system. The majority of my career has been spent in Title I and lower-income schools, where the need for passionate, effective instruction is both urgent and profound. I hold a master’s degree in elementary education and a dyslexia endorsement, both of which have deepened my commitment to literacy and equity in education.

Why I Teach

Years ago, while teaching third grade, I learned a heartbreaking truth: prison projections are often based on third-grade reading failure rates. That moment changed everything for me. I realized that teaching reading wasn’t just about academics—it was about saving lives. I made it my mission to become the kind of teacher who could rewrite a child’s future through literacy.

That journey led me to the work of Mrs. Marva Collins, a trailblazing educator whose methods have inspired me for the past 12 years. Her approach, rooted in the original Open Court Phonics program developed by Siegfried Engelmann in the 1960s, emphasizes systematic, explicit phonics instruction—beginning with long vowel sounds before short ones. It’s a method that works, and I’ve seen its transformative power firsthand.

What I’ve Created

To make phonics instruction more engaging and memorable, I’ve developed a collection of chants, stories, and word wall cards that help students internalize how vowels work together. These tools have empowered my students to decode words with confidence and joy.

I’m excited to share these resources with you. Together, we can build a stronger foundation for every child—one word at a time.

Warmly,
Tasha Roberts