Let’s dive into our super fun mini-series that’s all about celebrating a few cool entrepreneurs! PaSH is centered around sharing inspiring stories, breaking down stereotypes, and sharing the authentic, behind-the-scenes moments that make entrepreneurs so amazing. Let’s dive into, “The Reading Program That Started on Cassette Tapes (And Still Has Moms Talking)”.
Meet Mary Follin
Mary Follin began her career as a systems engineer at IBM and has since worked in product development, market research, and marketing consulting for professional services firms. She is the creator of Teach Your Child to Read and author of Ethyr, which earned the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. Mary also co-authors the award-winning advice column, ASK MOM, in Fredericksburg Parent & Family magazine and contributes regularly to Daily Mom, where she writes about children’s literacy and teaching kids to read. More information on Mary is available here: Teach Your Child To Read—Online Phonics Program
What’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned since starting your business?
When I first developed Teach Your Child to Read, I thought it was an original idea and that parents would buy it. While both turned out to be true, what continues to drive my business is knowing how many children will learn to read because of it. In other words, what now fuels my business is not what started it.
What’s the craziest idea you’ve ever had for your business that worked?
Starting it in the first place! When I first developed the program years ago, everything was in print and on cassette tapes. Since then, I have converted it to an online program, but I still remember the books, tapes, and cards—thousands of them—all in stacks in my living room. At the time, it was exciting, but I clearly had no idea the effort it would take to inventory, market, and deliver a real-world product. Had I have known, would I still have moved forward with my business idea? I will just say I am glad I didn’t know.
What’s your go-to mantra or quote when the going gets tough?
I have got a lot of them! The quickest one is: “It’s okay. Everything will be alright.” I then try to figure out how to make that happen.
How do you handle competition, and what sets your business apart from others in your Field?
I think strong competitors bring legitimacy to a field. I admire my competitors. I also realize that every child is different, so the more options parents have, the better.
What’s different about Teach Your Child to Read from everybody else? Here’s a shortlist:
- Lessons are five minutes a day as opposed to fifteen or twenty minutes.
- Within minutes of accessing the program, you are ready to begin lesson 1. It is easy and the instructions are short.
- The program is only six steps. By the time a child finishes step five, they are reading quite well.
- The approach is a direct-instruction, phonics-based method rather than a hybrid.
- Teach Your Child to Read is designed for parent and child to do together rather than planting a child in front of a screen.
- My voice guides both parent and child every step of the way.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self before starting this Journey?
Be patient.
What’s the most “you” thing in your workspace (bonus points if it’s quirky or unusual)?
The most “me” thing in my workspace is a framed image of a paint-by-number bear in the snow. I painted it during the pandemic, and I love to look at it. I also learned a ton about light and shadow and how to create moonlight on snow. The bear’s face radiates a gentle wisdom and gives me a moment of stillness whenever I need a break.
What’s one misconception people have about your industry that drives you crazy?
The one misconception that drives me crazy about teaching reading is finally changing. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the percentage of fourth graders reading below a basic level is 40%. Tha hast is one in three kids. In 2024, the NAEP also reported that 69% of fourth graders did not perform at or above reading proficiency. That is two in three kids. What this means is that 2/3 of our nation’s children are either barely able to read or are able to read, but not very well.
For too many years, the notion that children can learn to read the way they learn to talk has persisted, to the detriment of millions of children. From this absurd premise, we got Whole Language in the 70’s and 80’s, and Balanced Literacy in the 90’s up to present day. Phonics has been either absent or a ‘side dish’ in many, many public schools. However, in recent years, there been a dramatic shift toward bringing direct-instruction, phonics-based training back into school systems. It is taking time for the transition to occur, as teachers need to be retrained and materials replaced. In the next few years, we can hopefully anticipate that most of our school systems will be relying heavily on phonics.
Thanks for reading,”The Reading Program That Started on Cassette Tapes (And Still Has Moms Talking)”. Be sure to check back each month for more fun reads in our mini series.
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