Meet the team
Get reading. Keep reading. Change everything.
Ruth Miskin is one of the UK’s leading authorities on teaching children to read. She has many years' experience as a head teacher, teacher trainer and consultant in phonics and literacy, working with primary and secondary schools throughout the UK.
Her time as a Headteacher in Tower Hamlets convinced her that when Headteachers put reading at the heart of their schools they change everything. Their children learn to read quickly, get the reading habit early, learn to love reading and are successful at school.
Ruth has been an adviser to the government on many aspects of literacy teaching since 1997, from the early stages of the National Literacy Strategy to the Rose Review into the teaching of reading, the National Curriculum Review Committee and Lord Bew’s SATs Review Committee and the ITT Review.
Her work has been featured both by Newsnight on BBC2 and Dispatches on Channel 4.
Ruth was awarded an OBE for services to Education in 2011 and a CBE in 2019 for services to reading.
Mel began her teaching career over twenty years ago as a Reception teacher in Tower Hamlets. She worked closely with Ruth during the development of Read Write Inc. Phonics and now runs the organisation from our office in London.
Together, Ruth and Mel drive the mission - teach every child to read. No excuses.
Her most memorable teaching moment? ‘Reading So Much by Trish Cooke to my first Reception class – a wonderful, lyrical story. They were spell-bound and all clapped loudly at the end. I knew I wanted every child to be able to read and love reading – to engage emotionally with stories’.
Ceri was an experienced and passionate Read Write Inc. teacher and reading leader. Her teaching was graded outstanding by Estyn. She taught Read Write Inc. throughout her career, modelling lessons and training staff. Having jointly led a school in Monmouthshire to model school status, she then led the implementation of the Read Write Inc. programme in a school in Caerphilly with great success, before becoming a full-time trainer. She now works on developing training and training trainers.
Nina works in the London head office at 7 Sandy's Row as Head of Operations. She runs the organisation on a day-to-day basis and keeps our beautiful building functioning. With knowledge of all Ruth Miskin training, Nina can advise schools and individuals on their training needs. She helps LAs, school groups and academy chains arrange a joined up approach to RWI training and support.
Richard is the Development Manager and works closely with senior staff at Ruth Miskin Training and the Development Team to coordinate and lead on projects across the whole software development lifecycle, from inception through to deployment. Richard is a talented problem solver, with a sharp mind that is able to identify flaws and formulate solutions to fix them; this is also interpreted in his flair for Cryptic Crosswords.
Richard’s love for the Python programming language and programming skills are highly valued by other developers and has been noted to write clean and elegant code. Richard is a graduate of Planetary Science from UCL and has a background in writing software for data management.
Previously a Consultant Trainer, Elly now coaches trainers, teachers and parents on activities in preparation for filming.
She works closely with the Training development team to plan and create video resources for trainings and the School Portal, and works with schools to make video case-studies and clips for our website and social media pages.
Elly was a secondary school English Teacher and primary school teacher in East London prior to joining the Ruth Miskin Training team.
Her most memorable teaching moment- ‘listening to the lively discussion from my Year 8 class at the revelation of the central divide between the noughts and crosses in Malorie Blackman’s novel. 30 students empowered to re-examine their history and its impact on the society in which they live- the power of books to leverage change.
Maja works in the London head office at 7 Sandy's Row as our Regional Training Coordinator. She arranges training in venues across England and Wales for individuals and small groups. With knowledge of all Ruth Miskin training, Maja can advise schools and individuals on their training needs.
Reading Leader and Year 2 Teacher
Watching children at my inner-city school as they saw their new library for the first time. One boy said 'It's like a dream!' Many of them didn't have any books at home and the school had never had a proper library.
Always believe in yourself and never give up. There is always a way.
Reading Leader and Literacy Coordinator
The first time my Reception class heard the story of 'The Snowman' – they were stunned into silence at the end and then burst into a spontaneous round of applause.
Enthusiasm is contagious.
Reading Leader and EYFS Leader
A little girl in Reception had a fear of putting pencil to paper and would get upset. Each day I would invite her to the writing table and encourage her to have a go, and one day she did! There was no stopping her. I will never forget how happy she looked that day.
Always be reflective and part of the solution.
Acting Headteacher
My most memorable teaching moment was when I received a National Teaching Award for Outstanding New Teacher during my NQT year.
I love the buzz and excitement at the end of training when delegates cannot wait to get back to school to practise before teaching Read Write Inc. to their children.
English Teacher
Sharing my passion for literature and the power of words when we talk about the importance of daily storytime for all children.
Never underestimate the power of reading to children, regardless of their age. Everyone loves a story if it's told with feeling and enthusiasm. If we love reading, so will they.
Headteacher
Colin, an enthusiastic Year 1 boy, had yet to learn Set 1 Sounds. The rest of the class were learning Set 2 and 3 and he was beginning to get disaffected. I introduced Read Write Inc. Phonics and Colin was taught to read at the appropriate level daily. He was reading Set 1 Sounds and blending within a few weeks. One happy Colin!
Persevere and find a solution. There is always a way of reaching every child.
Leader of Core Learning and Year 5 Teacher
A wonderful little girl I was working with one-to-one to learn her initial sounds. She absolutely loved everything. 'I love flowers. I love towers. I love mountains - not as much as flowers. I love flowers. And towers.' What a star!
Practise, practise, practise!
Reading Leader
The Development Days – I love working with the children, especially the 'oh, I get it' moments. Priceless.
Be a magpie! Some of my best lessons have been based around ideas I have 'borrowed' from other teachers' great practice.
Reading Leader and Literacy Coordinator
Years ago I set up a small unit for students who had been permanently excluded from school. When deciding upon a name for the facility one student suggested 'Chances'. When asked why she said that it was because I had given her another chance with her education.
Be a 'charismatic hero' to your pupils. Be the person they remember and cross the street to speak to in years to come.
Assistant Headteacher, Literacy Coordinator and Reading Leader
Showing delegates how we read our storybook for the third time and how we think out loud as we read.
Be prepared, be focused, listen to your children, and know you can help each one grow and learn. Stay passionate and never give up.
Assistant Headteacher and Reading Leader
Teaching a Year 1 child, with no previous school experience, to read. Witnessing her become a fluent reader one year later was a joy.
Invest in developing relationships – with your knowledge, your colleagues, your community and above all your children. All will bring the biggest return.
KS1 Leader, Deputy Headteacher, Reading Leader and SENCO
Seeing the transformation in a child from disengaged to motivated and inquisitive once they can read.
Be reflective, flexible, and responsive.
Reading Leader
The day one little boy in Year 3 stood up in assembly and read to the whole school. He had previously been a reluctant reader and struggled to keep up with his peers. After individual tuition every day and lots of encouragement, he finally cracked it! I can hear the pride on his voice and it still makes me cry to think about it.
Never give up on a child; be the one that makes the difference.
Reading Leader and Year 1 and Reception Teacher
In role as class teacher with the delegates as my children – I love 'performing'.
We're all always learning – you won't always get it right first time.
Reading Leader and Year 1 Teacher
Seeing a child in Year 6, who had previously lacked confidence in reading, excitedly running towards me with a book. I’ll never forget the pride on her face as she said ‘I CAN read’.
Development Days – working with staff and children to get every child reading and loving it. Returning to a school to see the progress made is so rewarding.
Teacher
Sharing my passion for EVERY child learning to read and knowing that I have an impact on so many children's reading journeys.
Never stop learning.
Deputy Headteacher
When teachers understand the importance of both accuracy and fluency when children are learning to read.
Narrate the positive.
Reading Leader and EYFS Leader
A Year 2 pupil had written a thank you card at the end of the school year. He thanked me for being able to answer every question he had asked.
Never assume, explain everything.
Reading Leader and Year 1 Teacher
Building sentences orally with children – it's such a collaborative way of teaching writing at all stages.
Have fun – if you don't then the children won't either.
Reading Leader
Building sentences before writing – I love the interaction with the delegates and some of the ideas they propose.
Build a relationship with every child.
Acting Headteacher
When teaching poetry to a class in role, one child said that although my outer persona was a ferocious lion, inside was a calm and nurturing soul. The power of poetry and understanding character!
Igniting the excitement in teaching – showing teachers that they can be themselves and make a difference.
Deputy Headteacher and SENCO
Seeing the delegates' enthusiasm to stand up and practise teaching reading straight away.
Make storytime the best part of the school day to develop a real love of reading.
Reading Leader
When people start to nod and really 'get it'. You see delegates start to get excited as they appreciate how much the programme will help their children learn to read and write.
Smile and engage with the children.
Reading Leader and Year 1 and 2 Teacher
The opportunity to become part of a school and embark on the reading journey with them. I love returning to a school to see the enormous amount of dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work that has been put in to ensure every child learns to read.
Never give up and never be afraid to ask for help.
Assistant Headteacher
The precious moment when delegates leave the training room feeling empowered and able to get every child reading.
Engage children before you teach them so that they are listening to every word you say.
KS2 Leader
When we discuss the power of teaching children individually for ten minutes a day to ensure no child slips through the net.
Be reflective and adaptable. Had a great lesson? What made it successful? Lesson not so great? Think about why and how you will adapt to improve it next time.
Reading Leader and SENCO
Empowering staff to teach children to read.
Never give up, there is always a way for a child to make progress regardless of perceived barriers to progress.
Reading Leader and Assistant Headteacher
In my first year, I was a Reception teacher. A shy boy joined my class who found it hard to blend. I worked with him every day until he could blend independently and, by the end of the year, he was reading storybooks which matched the sounds he knew. He gained confidence and loved being part of our class. I learnt how I could make a positive impact on children's lives.
I love demonstrating activities in the training. It gives teachers a real sense of what it's like to be in the lessons and know how children in their classroom might feel.
Teacher
When I was a teacher, every day during my lunch hour, I worked with a Year 2 boy in a desperate attempt to teach him to read. I didn't have a system. I was failing him and he felt like a failure. It was heartbreaking. Following Read Write Inc. training, I changed everything for him quickly and he learnt to read. If I bump into his mum now, she always tells me that he will never forget me.
Year 4 Teacher
I really enjoy working with children in the one-to-one coaching sessions. It is so wonderful to see the progress children can make in such a short space of time.
Constantly strive to do better, because every child deserves your best effort.
Reading Leader
Teaching one particular child to blend a word for the first time, I'll never forget the pride on the child's face.
Do your absolute best and have fun doing it.
Teacher
One child I worked with in Year 3 was unable to read. Thanks to Read Write Inc. Phonics, he started to learn and changed from being worried and anxious to confident and happy. On my last day at school he said goodbye and I thought he had gone home. Five minutes later he came running back with tears in his eyes and gave me the biggest hug.
Reading Leader and Year 1 Teacher
Showing headteachers, teachers and teaching assistants HOW we teach our programme. I love demonstrating the lessons, then explaining the teaching steps before the delegates ‘have a go’ and practise the steps. The best way to learn is by doing!
Always be clear about the teaching purpose.
Reading Leader and Teacher
When you see the delegates suddenly understanding what we are about – teaching every child to read.
Children take more notice if you lower the sound of your voice.
Reading Leader
Exploring the complexities of the English alphabetic code and how we make it easy for children.
Whatever you are teaching – if you love it, the children will love it too.
Early Years Coordinator
Working with a family new to the country and seeing the journey their first-born child made during her Reception year.
On Day 1 of training, delegates teach a phonic lesson to their partners with confidence. It's great to see them smiling and teaching reading with knowledge and passion. When they get back to school even more children will get out of the reading gate early.
Jodie works in the London head office at 7 Sandy's Row as the Facilities Assistant. She assists with and prepares for all events and regional trainings which take place at our London training facilities.
EYFS Leader and Literacy Consultant
I love the quote by Jeanette Winterson – 'Teach a child to read and keep that child reading and we will change everything. And I mean everything.' It explains why we do what we do and won't ever give up. When delegates get that, it really makes a difference to their commitment.
There is enjoyment to be found in teaching children. If you can't find any then you are probably in the wrong career!
Shona has worked closely with Ruth for many years as the company has continued to evolve and grow. Prior to working for RMT, Shona worked with the Read Write Inc. programme at Oxford University Press. She now manages our HR, keeping all staff happy and well supported in their roles.
Teacher
Teaching delegates the 'squiggles' we use to show what it's like for a child learning to read sounds. We then teach a speed sound lesson showing how to engage children learning sounds for the first time – so powerful.
Remember that every child is someone's world.
Reading Leader and Deputy Headteacher
Working with schools to ensure that every child learns to read – no excuses.
Know your children and show them that you love teaching them.
Reading Leader and Literacy Coordinator
Recently, a Y7 pupil thanked me for teaching him to spell and explained how hard it used to be for him. Such a polite young person and a humbling experience.
I love training on the reading activities. It is powerful to discuss the importance of children developing reading fluency before they can focus on comprehending what they read. For many people this has been a real light bulb moment – they often say it will affect how they will teach reading in the future.
Reading Leader and Year 1 Teacher
When I stand back to observe the practice in the room, everyone is up on their feet, engaged in teaching each other and I think to myself – the children in this school are in good hands, we're making a difference.
Don't take yourself too seriously.
Acting Deputy Headteacher and KS1 and EYFS Leader
Teaching a father to read so that he could support his sons in their reading journey.
Love what you do and be patient, enthusiastic and kind.
EYFS Teacher
Teaching a child who was selectively mute when joining my class in September and only spoke in a whisper to one key adult. He left my reception class not only feeling confident to speak in front of the entire cohort of 90 children, but also as a reader and writer.
Put children at the heart of everything you do.
Colleen is committed to every child learning to read and loving it – despite background, language, or need.
With over a decade of teaching and leadership experience, Colleen began her career as a first grade teacher in Saint Louis, MO. Teach For America recognised her classroom’s significant academic progress as a national Sue Lehmann Award finalist. After, she continued serving in Brooklyn, NY as a teacher and Dean of School Culture.
In the United Kingdom, Colleen led as Assistant Principal at an Ofsted-Rated Outstanding charter school before joining Ruth Miskin Training as a Consultant Trainer. Now, in New York City, she is the Head of Training America at Ruth Miskin Literacy Inc.
Ned is a full-stack software engineer at Ruth Miskin Training and an integral part of the Development Team. Working on the company websites and portals, Ned brings his meticulous approach and love of testing into the development process. His drive to follow best-practices in all aspects of his work set an excellent tone for the rest of the team.
Ned took a Computer Science conversion course at UCL following a degree in Philosophy from Bristol. Ned can usually be found at lunchtimes at the centre of a heated debate or game of cards (usually both).
Reading Leader
Roleplaying the teaching. Practising in role really helps teachers get to grips with the programme before they get back in their classrooms.
Model, model, model. Show children what is expected of them; set them up for success from the start.
Sarah works in the London head office at 7 Sandy's Row as Training Ops Manager, leading the team of Training Coordinators. Sarah also books in-school training, and is the first port of call for any school that contacts the office. With knowledge of all Ruth Miskin trainings, she can advise schools and individuals on their training needs.
Sheena works in the London head office at 7 Sandy's Row as a Training Coordinator. She arranges in-school training for international schools across the globe and is the first port of call for any school that contacts the office. With knowledge of all Ruth Miskin training, Sheena can advise schools and individuals on their training needs.
KS1 Year Leader / Reading Leader for an international school in the UAE.
The in-depth detail of each area. Nothing is missed, every single step is important.
Never forget the difference you can make to your children’s lives every day.
Teacher and Reading Leader
Speed Sounds. It’s so important that every child learns to blend as quickly as possible.
Pause, breathe, and smile!
Year One Teacher and Reading Leader
Demonstrating the storybook activities to the teachers. Delegates get to experience what it’s like for a child and teacher to delve deep into the book through drama and discussion.
In my first Reception class, a boy who had been struggling to blend had his ‘lightbulb moment’ when it all clicked and he was able to read the whole page! He was so proud of himself.
Consultant Trainer and Team Leader
Storytime: promoting emotional engagement and enthusiasm to ensure children learn to love books.
A simple, kind word, or a smile, means everything to a child.
Reading Leader and KS1 Leader
Teaching a whole Speed Sound lesson. It's the first time the delegates see a lesson all the way through. Teachers love seeing the teaching steps come to life. At break, people often say to me 'I can see what you were like as a teacher!' For me, it's a really important part of the training.
Believe in your children. Have high expectations of what they CAN do. Never believe they cannot do something. As soon as you think that, you've limited them.
Assistant Headteacher and Reading Leader
I taught a Year 1 child who was a selective mute and really lacked confidence, particularly in reading. After a week of teaching her Read Write Inc. Phonics every day she began to gain confidence and to join in. She soon began to read out loud with her partner and developed lovely friendships with her peers. The consistency and structure of the programme gave her the confidence that she needed to fly!
Reading Leader and KS1 Leader
Be passionate and connect with the children. If you love teaching it, the children will love learning it.
Sharing my love for reading stories and seeing the joy on children’s faces as they become immersed in every word I read. Older children in the school often stopped me on corridor to talk about the books I’d shared with them during their younger years. If you make books memorable, they’ll stay with children for a lifetime.
Reading Leader and EYFS Lead
Enthusiasm is catching. If you love it, the children will love it!
Reading conquers all. When one of the most hard to reach children I have ever taught took me by the hand and whispered in my ear “Can we read our favourite book?”
Year 1 Teacher and Pupil Premium Lead
Giving teachers real examples to show how a child feels if they’re not successful from the beginning and showing how Read Write Inc. Phonics ensures they are.
Let the children know how much you love teaching them and how much you value having them in your class.
Franseza works in the London head office as a Training Coordinator. She arranges in-school training and is the first port of call for any school that contacts the office. With knowledge of all Ruth Miskin trainings, Franseza can advise schools and individuals on their training and CPD needs.
Ella works in the London head office as a Training Coordinator. She arranges in-school training and is the first port of call for any school that contacts the office. With knowledge of all Ruth Miskin trainings, Ella can advise schools and individuals on their training and CPD needs.
Kelly works in the London head office as Training Development Coordinator. She works with Ruth and our Head of Training to develop all Read Write Inc. materials that you see on trainings and the School Portal. Kelly sends out our newsletters, manages the Ruth Miskin Training social media and arranges resources for trainers.
Laura works in the London head office as a Filmmaker. She is responsible for filming, directing, editing and distributing films of trainers in action. She travels around the country to film trainers in schools. With knowledge and passion of filming, Laura can offer advice and solutions around filming needs and provide quality films for training materials and our School Portal.
Thisara works in our London head office as the English Hubs Training Centre Project Manager. He is responsible for the smooth running of the project, and provides reports and data for regular meetings with the Department for Education.
Laura works in our London head office as the English Hubs Training Centre Coordinator. She is responsible for the logistics of events, administration of the portal and supporting the Project Manager.
Reading Leader, EYFS Teacher, Key Stage Leader. Experienced trainer and teacher currently based in Dubai.
I love demonstrating activities with the delegates with them in role as the children and supporting teachers on Development Days; teaching real 'live' children in schools.
In my NQT year a headteacher said to me 'children only get one chance'. They do.
Reading Leader
I had selected a set of stories to be “Miss Patterson’s most special books”. All of the children were so determined to read them- I would walk out into the playground to see groups of children choosing to sit, engrossed in those books.
Reading Leader, Key Stage 1 Lead, Acting Deputy.
Sharing the importance of the Reading Leader role with schools. It is a big responsibility but to see the progress all children make to become readers is the greatest reward possible.
My favourite part of being a teacher was story time. I loved to really take a look at my class mid-way through a story, to see their pure joy and engagement. It is a truly magical part of being a teacher and a real privilege.
English Advisor for Dorset Local Authority
Bite-sizing the teaching activities to allow teachers to practise and coach each other. I love seeing them relate this to the children they will work with back at school. It has such a massive impact on teaching children to read.
Practice and preparation is key! Invest time in the preparation to make the learning purposeful and powerful.
Reading Leader and Class Teacher in an inner-city primary school.
In my first year of teaching I was told by my mentor: ‘Remember that every child is someone’s precious baby’, something that has never left me. Every child deserves the very best that we can give them, so persevere and never give up on a single one.
The day both myself and a child I was working with one-to-one welled up with tears when she realised she could blend a word. I held her hands tightly as her lips trembled – she was so overcome by her own success. Unforgettable.
Ruth Miskin is one of the UK’s leading authorities on teaching children to read. She has many years' experience as a head teacher, teacher trainer and consultant in phonics and literacy, working with primary and secondary schools throughout the UK.
Her time as a Headteacher in Tower Hamlets convinced her that when Headteachers put reading at the heart of their schools they change everything. Their children learn to read quickly, get the reading habit early, learn to love reading and are successful at school.
Ruth has been an adviser to the government on many aspects of literacy teaching since 1997, from the early stages of the National Literacy Strategy to the Rose Review into the teaching of reading, the National Curriculum Review Committee and Lord Bew’s SATs Review Committee and the ITT Review.
Her work has been featured both by Newsnight on BBC2 and Dispatches on Channel 4.
Ruth was awarded an OBE for services to Education in 2011 and a CBE in 2019 for services to reading.
Ruth Miskin
Mel Erwin
Ceri Brinkworth
Colleen Somich
Rhian Phillips
Sue Boshell
Ruth Broadhead
Nick Cannon
Gareth Carlson-James
Jo Chadwick
Emma Chambers
Natalie Clayton
Natasha Cox
Jilly Crawford
Ashlin Crutchlow
Paul Daglish
Hattie Daley
Heidi Darby
Samantha Dholakia
Anna Ellwood
Amanda Fawcett
Claire Finkel
Leah Forshaw
Keely Fowkes
Lynn Fox
Emma Griffiths
Ruth Gyles-Brown
Laura Hanslip
Helen Harris
Becky Hemsley
Kelly Holdsworth
Rachel Houldsworth
Rosie Instone
Jo Jackson
Sarah Johnson
Sarah Jones
Angela Jukes
Sarabjit Kaur
Beck King
Gaenor Kirkby
Katie Lillis
Nick Locke
Sally Lord
Rebecca Loza
Kirsten Mackie
Pauline Maher
Rosie Manning
Laura Marr
Amy McElhatton
Louise Patterson
Sarah Pennick
Tiffany Prime
Sara Rice-Oxley
Arlene Rodrigues-Naim
Jennifer Rolnick
Ann Marie Rutter
Kelly Sallis
Leah Sanders
Heather Scarlett
Debbie Smitten
Cal Tobin
Debbie Wilson
Nina Coglin
Sarah Richards
Shona Gleave
Richard Hartley
Tom Lawrence
Maja Marimla
Sheena Siddiqui
Ned Lloyd
Jodie Leary
Elly Taylor
Franseza Pardoe
Ella Clayton
Kelly Day
Laura Fuchs
Thisara David
Laura Bannocks
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Get reading. Keep reading. Change everything.