Don Herold, the late Hoosier writer, illustrator, and humorist, was a wise fellow indeed.  One of his most famous lines was “The brighter you are the more you have to learn.” Anyone who has ever spent as little as one day in a classroom with young adolescents would undoubtedly confirm that teaching reading to middle grades students is a complex task. It demands that teachers know much about the characteristics of a successful reading curriculum and successful instruction as well. Middle grades reading teachers should keep Mr. Herold’s quote in mind.

     Middle grades reading teachers who currently hold an Indiana reading endorsement or reading license should consider obtaining an Indiana reading specialist license.  It is possible to work in courses needed for the reading specialist license while obtaining a Master’s Degree.  The state has six programs approved by the Division of Professional Standards, and contact should be made as early as possible to work out schedules of classes that will lead to reading specialist      licenses.  The Indiana universities with approved programs are Ball State University, Butler University, Indiana State University, Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana University-South Bend, and Purdue University.  If you need to contact a reading professor for information about how to get started, go to the Director of Indiana College and University Reading Professors at: http://mgrn.evansville.edu/directrymgrn.html.

     Certification is a method of assuring that an individual is qualified by knowledge and skills to practice within the profession. After earning initial reading certification, middle grades reading teachers need to continue studying and updating their knowledge and skills.  Most reading specialists choose to continue to teach reading classes.  Others might supervise a corporation’s reading program, work as a Title I teacher or reading coach, teach college reading classes, or provide in-service training for other teachers.  Having a reading specialist’s license affords you the opportunity to learn much more about the area that is so important in your life and your students’ lives as well.