Today we’d like to introduce you to Ingrid Haynes-Traylor.
Hi Ingrid, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am originally from Memphis, TN. My parents were both in the field of education and taught my brother and I the importance of reading and getting a good education. I followed in my parent’s footsteps and majored in education and earning a doctorated from the University of Mississippi. I often say I have been teaching reading since I was 5 years old. I would line up my baby dolls and imitate what I had seen my mom do in her second-grade classroom. My baby dolls had to always say their sounds m/a/n/, and remember their sight words. So, from my early years to now, I have enjoyed studying and teaching literacy to all children. I have worked in education for nearly 30 years and have work in many positions in education, from classroom teacher to building principal, to district superintendent. Each position filled a spot in my heart for children, teachers, and parents who I have served over the years.
Over the years, I have been very active in the literacy movement. In 2003, I opened the first charter school in the state of Tennessee, and from their the first charter school in the state of Mississippi; each had a strong focus in literacy and language acquisition of young children. In 2003, I started the National Literacy Professional Development Consortium, LLC, also known as the National Literacy Institute, and we are a leading provider of staff development and professional resources to K-12 schools across the nation. Serving teachers from here in Houston to teachers in China, all trying to learn best practicing for teaching literacy. The NLPDC was featured on the Dr. Phil Show twice in 2022 for the research on literacy and the impact of illiteracy on our nation, society, economy, and classrooms. On the show, I shared literacy research that suggest that Illiteracy has become such a serious problem in our country that 130 million adults are now unable to read a simple story to their children. Illiteracy costs American taxpayers an estimated $20 billion each year which impacts our economy. In relationship to the illiteracy impact on our society, 3 out of 5 people in American prisons can’t read. To determine how many prison beds will be needed in future years, some states actually base part of their projection on how well current elementary students are performing on reading tests. All this is very alarming. I am hoping the work we do at the National Literacy Professional Development Consortium, LLC, with literacy support to the schools and community will help reduce illiteracy rate in America. I am so grateful to my parents for starting my first love for education and the focus being on literacy.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth ride. The roads have been bumpy and many sharp turns. Starting the charter school movement in Tennessee and Mississippi was extremely challenging. Being a teacher and administrator and sharing with a parent that his or her child is struggling with reading and watching that child have such stress and sadness for knowing he or she is not reading on grade level is so difficult. Now operating NLPDC, LLC and trying to meet the needs of thousands educators has been challenging. We hope to grow in staff to meet the needs of schools and districts across the world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
The National Literacy Professional Development Consortium, LLC., also known as the National Literacy Institute is a leading provider of staff development and professional resources to K-12 schools since 2003. Featured on the Dr. Phil Show twice in 2023. NLPDC specializes in the areas of language and literacy development, Cultural Responsiveness, Effective Leadership Practices, Equity, SEL, and so much more. Our training team is best known for showing teachers and leaders how to apply research-based strategies in ways that are practical and effective. For more than a decade, the National Literacy Institute has been supporting schools with customized on-site professional development, Literacy Institutes, Educational Retreats, and regional workshops.
What sets us apart from other training companies is the fact that all of our trainers have more than 20 years of classroom experience. All of our trainers have worked with diverse children from various socioeconomic backgrounds. We know what it takes to help teachers understand how to teach fragile readers and how to help students get back on track. Our track record speaks for itself.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Although I am a motivation speaker who tries to provide humor during my talk, I get nervous each speaking engagement. Also, I taught my baby dolls at 5, but I did not stop teaching my dolls until almost middle school.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com
- Instagram: thenationalliteracyinstitute
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literacyinstitute
- Twitter: @nlpdc2
