At the 2025 NCTE Annual Convention, longtime high school teacher and author Kelly Gallagher opened his session by sharing what he called his “teacher tree.” Branch by branch, he traced the professional books, mentors, colleagues, and classroom...
Maria Walther
Maria Walther is a seasoned educator, author, and literacy consultant with over three decades of experience teaching first grade. Her practical yet engaging approach to classroom instruction has made her a trusted partner for educators seeking effective teaching strategies. With a doctoral degree from Northern Illinois University, Maria is an avid researcher who continues to further her knowledge of literacy instruction. All of Maria’s books are filled with helpful ideas for busy literacy teachers. Learn more about her consulting work and find other resources at mariawalther.com or connect with her on Instagram as @mariapwalther and @ayear4thebooks.