Melissa Jenkins has spent decades teaching in public, private, and homeschool settings. Alongside her sister, she founded Little Shoes Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina, to help the youngest learners—preschool through first grade—build strong reading skills from the start.
Why She Created Little Shoes Academy
Jenkins noticed that many early reading programs left children behind. Instead of waiting for a better one to appear, she decided to write her own. What started as a small homeschool project quickly grew into a full curriculum now used by micro-schools and private schools.
The Power of the Science of Reading
Jenkins is passionate about what’s known as the science of reading—a body of research that shows reading isn’t natural for most children. Only about 5% learn to read without help. The rest need clear, step-by-step instructions.
Her lessons combine five key skills: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. She believes in keeping learning active and fun—through games, rhymes, and hands-on play. “When kids move and play while they learn, it sticks,” she says.
Real Results, Real Joy
In one of her classes, Jenkins used these methods with 11 students who were two years behind in reading. By the end of the year, they didn’t just meet expectations—they exceeded them, improving by 43 points on their reading assessments.
Her Advice for Educators
Jenkins encourages school leaders and teachers to start small, but start now. “You’ll be thankful tomorrow for what you begin today,” she says. Her message is simple: when teachers bring energy, structure, and heart into reading instruction, every child has a chance to succeed.
Click here to listen to the full podcast episode.