After completing their final exams, students in Dr. Raven Cromwell’s Phonics class stayed about an hour longer so they could meet with a special guest who brought a lesson of her own for them.
Retired reading specialist Debbie DeWeeks provided instruction on how to use the Secret Stories phonics program to help children learn to read. She also gave each Education student the full classroom kit — including posters, flash cards, a teaching manual and other items — so they have the same resource she had when she helped young students learn to read.
“This is not a program,” DeWeeks said. “It’s a tool and it works.”
The donation was made possible by the Mrs. Settle Stories Fund, which was created after DeWeeks’ longtime friend and colleague, Tara Settle, passed away in 2021. The two discovered the Secret Stories resource when they met its creator, Katie Garner, in 2007 during a professional development event. DeWeeks and Settle — who both worked at McKinley Elementary in Wood County, West Virginia — brought the resource back to their school. Both became very passionate about its potential to help children have fun while learning how to read.
“We were the only two teachers in the county using it,” DeWeeks said. Their young students responded well to the phonics method. “Now, if you are working in Wood County and call the Board Office, they’ll send it to you. That’s how well it works.”
Cromwell was excited for her students to be able to have the Secret Stories resource and also hear from DeWeeks about how to use it effectively.
“This is absolutely wonderful,” Cromwell said.
Sierra Sinclair ’24, who is majoring in Middle Childhood Education, said DeWeeks had come to their class before to talk about phonics and Secret Stories.
“She was one of the first teachers to pick it up and use it, so there’s a lot we can learn from her,” Sinclair said.
DeWeeks gave some parting advice to the up-and-coming teachers.
“Number 1: use this tool,” DeWeeks said. “As you get into the schools, you’ll see people using it. Also, become that teacher who knows the stories. They’re silly because they’re designed for children. Learning should be fun, so really go for it in class.”