Nancy Young, Ed.D.
Reading | Writing | Learning
Bio
About
Nancy Young, Ed.D.
Dr. Nancy Young is an independent Canadian educational consultant providing professional development for an international audience.
Nancy’s current focus is the WHO, WHAT and WHY of literacy instruction in the early primary grades. Nancy’s emphasis is instruction based on need, particularly differentiation in the form of across grade grouping (AGG), as a means to more effectively address the wide range of skills in classrooms.
Nancy’s expertise encompasses students who have challenges in learning to read (including students with dyslexia), students who have ADHD, and students who are advanced in reading at an early age (AIR). Long aware of the lack of attention to the educational needs of young students who are advanced/gifted (intellectually), she is a strong advocate for the provision of appropriate educational programming, materials, and experiences for these students.
Nancy’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education (Elementary Education), Master of Education (Special Education), and Doctor of Education (Cognitive Diversity).
Nancy has worked with a wide range of learning needs and ages in schools and community organizations across Canada and internationally. For twenty years, she taught students (alongside their parents/caregivers) in her independent teaching practice. Nancy is a certified teacher and a member of the Scientific Studies of Reading, the National Association for Gifted Children (USA), and the World Council for Gifted & Talented Children.
Nancy is the creator of The Ladder of Reading & Writing, a widely-recognized translational framework visually representing the ease at which children learn to read and write and the instructional implications of that ease. Summarizing the varied and numerous factors that must be considered to effectively serve the wide range of needs, Nancy’s The Ladder of Reading & Writing makes clear that systematically designed programming for beginning readers will be different from programming that is systematically designed for students with advanced reading skills. (Usage guidelines/permission forms for Nancy’s translational framework can accessed from The Ladder of Reading & Writing page of this website.)
Nancy is the co-editor (with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck) of the new book Climbing THE LADDER OF READING & WRITING: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners (2024). Looking at literacy through the lens of Nancy’s infographic, this book presents twenty short chapters on topics relating to the wide range of ease in mastering literacy skills and the instructional implications. The chapters are authored by renowned experts in the field.
Currently based in British Columbia, Nancy provides in-person and online presentations for organizations and districts/schools. Workshops focusing on the book can be arranged.
Endorsements For Nancy Young
Educator & Parent (NOLA Attendee 2023)
“I first heard Nancy speak during an online webinar and was impressed with her ability to make sense of the literacy challenges our kids and schools are facing today. As a parent of a child with dyslexia, it can be overwhelming when you are trying to sort out what is going on and what to say to schools, to our child and to ourselves. Nancy was enthusiastic when I reached out to her. She provided me with some very clear and concrete ways to understand the science of reading and what a struggling reader needs to learn to read. She also offered some great tips on how to advocate for my child at school. Nancy has a real passion to get her message out and help parents and educators. Thank you on behalf of my child
and all struggling readers.”
Peggy (parent of a dyslexic child)
“One of the things that has been so valuable in getting to know Nancy’s work, is her dedication to ensuring that all really does mean all. She is the kind voice in my head that reminds me that all children need to be served whether that be through enrichment, targeted intervention, or somewhere in between. Nancy and Jan’s book is the written expression of that reminder so that educators everywhere can receive the nudge and call to address the needs of all children. Nancy and Jan should be proud of how their insight and leadership through this book will impact educators and children.”