Second Grade Teacher
LBJ Elementary School
Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District
Elsa, TX
One of my favorite features in Footsteps2Brilliance is Create-a-Book because it allows my students to become creative authors while reinforcing the literacy skills we are learning in class.
I love watching students practice spelling patterns, sight words, and sentence development while expressing their own ideas and creativity. The feature makes writing exciting and gives
students a sense of ownership and pride in their work.
I also enjoy the interactive word work activities because they keep students engaged while strengthening important foundational reading skills.
At LBJ Elementary in Elsa, I have seen firsthand how Footsteps2Brilliance can strengthen literacy instruction and build student confidence. As a second grade teacher, I use the program to reinforce the skills students are learning in our core curriculum while also providing targeted
support for students who need additional practice.
Before implementing Footsteps2Brilliance, our campus did not have a dedicated supplemental reading program to support foundational literacy instruction. My grade-level team immediately embraced the opportunity to use the program because we saw its potential to reinforce instruction and meet individual student needs. I use Footsteps2Brilliance during small-group
instruction, and as an extension activity for students who complete assignments early.
One student’s progress especially stands out to me. This student was struggling significantly with second-grade literacy skills. By using Footsteps2Brilliance to begin at the student’s instructional level and systematically build foundational skills, I watched the student grow from recognizing letters and sounds to confidently reading words and complete sentences aloud.
Seeing that confidence develop has been incredibly rewarding.
My students are highly engaged with the program’s interactive activities, word work, and Create-a-Book feature, which allows them to become authors while practicing literacy skills. They are motivated by earning trophies and enjoy the friendly competition the program creates. The biggest difference I have seen is simple but powerful: my students are more confident in their
reading.
“One of the most rewarding moments was watching a student grow from recognizing letters and sounds to confidently reading words and complete sentences aloud. My kids are more confident readers."
