Classroom Strategies
7 min read
Differentiated Reading Groups That Actually Work in Middle School
Practical structures for rotating small-group reading instruction while preserving student dignity and engagement.
May 10, 2026
Read ArticleHello, I'm Emily Richardson
Middle School English Teacher & Literacy Coach
A dedicated educator with 12+ years fostering critical reading, confident writing, and inclusive classrooms in Oregon public schools. Specialized in differentiated instruction, project-based learning, and data-informed literacy interventions.
Emily Richardson
Middle School English Teacher & Literacy Coach
Teaching Skills & Expertise
Instructional methods, subject expertise, classroom leadership, assessment practices, and educational technology refined across 12+ years in U.S. public schools.
Differentiated Instruction10+ Years
Inquiry-Based Learning7+ Years
Lesson Planning12+ Years
Project-Based Learning8+ Years
Professional Teaching Experience
A career timeline documenting classroom leadership, curriculum design, student outcomes, and collaborative teaching roles across American schools.
Lead English Teacher & Literacy Coach
Lincoln Middle School
Lead 7th-grade English blocks for 120+ students with differentiated reading and writing pathways.
Designed school-wide literacy intervention cycles that raised reading growth scores by 18%.
Mentor new teachers on classroom routines, assessment practices, and inclusive instruction.
Facilitate monthly professional learning communities on writing workshop models.
Partner with families through bilingual newsletters and student-led conference nights.
Lesson PlanningEnglish Language ArtsClassroom ManagementSocial-Emotional LearningGoogle Classroom
English Language Arts Teacher
Cascade View Middle School
Taught 6th- and 8th-grade ELA with project-based novel units and Socratic seminars.
Piloted a peer writing lab that improved draft revision rates by 35%.
Co-led an after-school reading club for multilingual learners.
Integrated Nearpod and Google Classroom for hybrid learning during district transitions.
Differentiated InstructionReading InterventionWriting WorkshopFormative Assessment
Student Teacher & Teaching Assistant
University of Oregon Teacher Prep Program
Completed supervised placements in 5th- and 9th-grade English classrooms.
Earned Oregon preliminary teaching license and Reading Specialist endorsement coursework.
Supported IEP teams with adapted materials and progress monitoring documentation.
Built foundational skills in lesson design, formative assessment, and restorative practices.
Project-Based LearningLiterature AnalysisStudent PortfoliosOregon Teaching License
Classroom Initiatives & Programs
Curriculum projects, literacy interventions, and community learning programs designed to engage diverse learners and measurable growth.
Literacy ProgramsActive — Year 3
School-Wide Literacy Intervention Program
Designed and led a tiered intervention model using diagnostic data, small-group instruction, and progress monitoring for 80+ students below grade level.
Curriculum ProjectsFully Working
Digital Writers Workshop Portal
Built a Google Sites-based writers workshop hub where students draft, peer-review, and publish polished pieces with rubric-aligned feedback.
Teaching Insights & Articles
Practical classroom strategies, literacy frameworks, and inclusive teaching reflections from daily work with middle school learners.
Literacy & Reading
6 min read
Formative Assessment in the Writing Workshop
Exit tickets, conferring notes, and peer protocols that give you actionable data without drowning in papers.
April 20, 2026
Read ArticleStudent Testimonials
Feedback from students, parents, and colleagues on classroom impact and student growth.
Sarah Mitchell
“Ms. Richardson turned my son from a reluctant reader into someone who asks for books. Her patience and structured support made all the difference.”
Principal David Chen
“Emily's literacy initiative transformed our middle school reading data. She leads with data, empathy, and relentless focus on student growth.”
Marcus Johnson (8th Grade)
“I used to hate writing essays. Ms. Richardson's workshop made me feel like my stories matter. I published my first poem this year.”
Let's Connect About Teaching & Learning
Open to collaboration on curriculum design, literacy coaching, professional development workshops, or guest speaking at education conferences.