The Impact Is Real: How Lexia LETRS Transformed Learning for Students and Educators

“Literacy gives people the keys to life, and LETRS gives teachers the tools they need to unlock reading success for all learners,” educator Katherine Stedman says. 

One of 110 recipients of the inaugural Lexia® LETRS® Science of Reading Grant, Stedman captures a sentiment echoed across classrooms nationwide: The in-depth, evidence-based learning provided by LETRS is fueling real change. Now, more than a year into their journey, these educators are seeing the ripple effects—sharpened instruction, stronger student outcomes, and renewed momentum for literacy across entire communities.

Empowered Educators, Thriving Students

“When teachers understand the science behind what they’re doing, they become more effective, and students benefit,” educator Dani Burtsfield says. “LETRS gave me not only the research-based knowledge, but also the tools to implement it effectively and with purpose. It has truly transformed my instructional practice.” 

Burtsfield is one of many who credit LETRS with equipping them to meet student needs with greater precision and confidence. For reading interventionist Stephanie Hughes, the difference is clear: “When I see a student struggling with reading, I’m not just guessing what to do next. I know exactly what assessments to use and how to support them based on those results.”

Before LETRS, Hughes often relied on instinct and hope. Now, she has a strategic, science-backed approach—and her students are thriving.

Kindergarten teacher Jenn Sharek speaks to a broader impact. “The amount of lives [Lexia® has] changed just by providing me with LETRS training is well over 100 students,” she says. “And it doesn’t stop there—my students take that knowledge home, spreading literacy to their families and even healing generational wounds.”

From Light Bulb Moments to Lasting Change

Educators often face the challenge of figuring out how to implement the science of reading into their classrooms in ways that make a real difference. The grant recipients found LETRS to be the perfect bridge between research and classroom—their journeys have been filled with “aha moments” that are translating into real, lasting gains. 

Burtsfield recalls working with a student struggling with early decoding. “At first, it seemed like the issue was just blending. But through LETRS, I realized the root cause was actually phoneme segmentation,” she says. By explicitly teaching segmentation alongside letter-sound connections, the student began applying those skills meaningfully in reading and writing. “It was a powerful reminder of how carefully sequenced, intentional instruction makes all the difference.”

Hughes shares a similar breakthrough: Noticing a student drop initial sounds in both reading and spelling. “It was like a light bulb went off—the patterns weren’t random,” she says. “LETRS taught me to notice those details, interpret them, and respond in ways that really move learning forward.”

Expanding the Impact

As their LETRS training wraps up, these educators are far from finished. They’re expanding their reach—bringing what they’ve learned to colleagues, leadership teams, and districtwide initiatives.

For Hughes, it’s about staying consistent: “Nothing flashy—just continuing to help my students become confident, proficient readers and spellers with the tools LETRS gave me.”

Catherine Hursey echoes this grounded commitment: “I’ll keep using what I’ve learned to make sure my instruction is explicit, systematic, and science-aligned. I’m excited to collaborate, reflect, and advocate for practices that support every learner.”

Meanwhile, Burtsfield is stepping into a leadership role as her district adopts UFLI Foundations across K–2 classrooms. “I feel inspired to share what I’ve learned. LETRS gave me the depth of understanding to guide other educators through this change with confidence and clarity.”

A Lasting Legacy

LETRS is more than a professional learning program—it’s a catalyst for educator empowerment and student success. It equips teachers not just with strategies, but with the why behind them, transforming instinct into impact.

As Hursey puts it: “Every child deserves instruction grounded in science—not just practices that sound nice or feel good.”

Thanks to the Lexia LETRS Science of Reading Grant, these educators are delivering on that promise. And their stories prove that when teachers are supported with research-based training, the transformation extends far beyond one classroom—it reshapes learning for generations to come.