Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrianna Mabrie
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I reflect on my journey and how it has led to where I am today, I recognize it as a culmination of the impact literacy has had on my life and how it has contributed significantly to helping me realize my passion and calling: working with children, focusing on reading language, and literacy instruction and intervention.
Some of those early memories of literacy revolve around reading for pleasure—listening to favorites like Where the Wild Things Are and Charlotte’s Web, getting my first library card, checking out stacks of books, and attending reading-related events. As an independent reader, I discovered author Judy Blume in elementary school, and she became one of my favorites. In middle school, my English teacher’s enthusiasm for literacy fostered my love of literature by introducing me to classics like Lord of the Flies, 1984, Animal Farm, and the works of Toni Morrison and Kurt Vonnegut.
Growing up I have memories of my mother volunteering as a reading tutor with middle school students, in addition to supporting my father (who struggled with reading as an adult) in becoming a skilled reader. In my teens, my father, who was now an avid reader, gave me The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Reading this book was a turning point in how I viewed literacy—it was the first time I understood it as a powerful tool for personal growth, transformation, and opportunity.
As a young adult, I performed clerical and administrative tasks in the legal field and pursued an undergraduate degree in Sociology with coursework in child development and family and social dynamics. When my children were young, wanting to express my creativity, I experimented with running a seasonal greeting card business with my husband and mother, in addition to selling my handmade art items in various online shops. However, I eventually found myself pursuing an elementary teaching credential.
I began my career in education as a long-term substitute in a first-grade class at my elementary school in South Central Los Angeles, teaching alongside my former kindergarten teacher. While there, I also taught a 1st/2nd-grade combination class and was eventually hired as a lead first-grade teacher, where my passion for literacy instruction/intervention began. Later, I accepted a role as a fifth-grade teacher, where I also tutored students after school in reading, and ran lunch bunch book clubs. Seeing the gaps in my older students’ foundational literacy skills, I sought ways to better support them. I started with reading books like Why Johnny Can’t Read by Rudolf Flesch, as well as pursuing formal training in structured literacy. The ongoing reading and training kept me current with evidence-based tools and strategies to teach reading effectively, shaping my approach and deepening my impact on students’ literacy development.
In 2021, I enrolled in graduate school, receiving my Reading, Language, and Literacy degree and a Reading and Literacy Leadership credential. I was preparing to pursue my dream of launching a literacy resource program where I could provide a more personalized reading instruction/intervention experience for my students, in addition to creating resources, and student/family support.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course, there are times when things run smoothly, but there will always be challenges and obstacles to work through and overcome. One of the biggest challenges has been helping students who have internalized the false idea that their difficulties with reading reflects their intelligence. Many have spent years hearing this message, which negatively affects their self-esteem. Undoing this harm takes time, patience, and a lot of reassurance. Helping students build (or rebuild) their confidence and recognize their strengths is integral to my job.
Leaving the classroom and pursuing my private practice was also a challenge. I often miss working in a school environment and collaborating with my teacher team. Over the years, my students have been a source of pride and inspiration, and though there were challenges, as you can expect with classes of nearly thirty students, we created an environment where we worked as a team. Watching their personal and academic growth over a school year was incredible to see. I was fortunate to have had a teacher partner with whom I could share my goals and enthusiasm for all I was learning about literacy and who was willing to try out some of my ideas, and who continues to offer support. I also feel fortunate to have the support and encouragement of my husband and daughters, who believe in my vision and abilities.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about By the Letter Literacy Reading Lab?
By the Letter Literacy Reading Lab is an early education program founded by an experienced K-5 lead classroom teacher credentialed in elementary education and reading and literacy leadership. This program was created:
To provide families and caregivers with information and resources on the importance of creating a language-rich environment in the early years (ages 0-5). Early exposure to spoken language and pre-reading experiences in conjunction with age/developmentally appropriate, evidence-based literacy instruction is a strong predictor of future reading achievement. I create digital and video-based early literacy content and mindset resources to support this initiative. One of my most significant projects has been launching a resource website for families, caregivers, and early education teachers, offering free access to early learning materials, educational videos, and literacy-focused articles.
My goal is to promote early literacy awareness, beginning in infancy, by developing engaging, easy-to-implement resources for parents and educators. I have multiple projects in progress, including educational songs (available soon on multiple streaming platforms), poems, chants, early reader books, and a pre-reading, language, and literacy curriculum designed for families to easily integrate into their daily routines. Additionally, I created a line of teacher/literacy-themed T-shirts, with a portion of the proceeds used to purchase phonics-based decodable books for classrooms in my community.
By the Letter Literacy Reading Lab has allowed me to merge my passion for early literacy instruction with my love for creative expression. I also have the privilege of collaborating with my daughter—an artist, musician, and business graduate—who provides artistic and administrative support on multiple projects.
As a reading instructor/interventionist, I work with students in grades K-3 to build their foundational reading skills using evidence and research-based programs and resources. I also offer literacy strategy coaching and consulting for parents and caregivers, equipping them with practical techniques to support their developing readers at home.
As a member of a strong professional literacy community, I continually seek mentorship and professional development from experts and researchers in my field. If I don’t know something, I read, research, get training and ask questions. I am a reflective educator who is constantly learning. I have strong intrapersonal and interpersonal skills that allow me to build genuine connections with my students. My goal is to teach reading in a way that empowers students and families with the knowledge and skills they need for lifelong literacy success.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
To support my mission:
Free:
Visit my free early literacy family/caregiver hub, explore, utilize, and download the many resources, and share with those you think would benefit from them.
Another free way to support my program is to like, subscribe to, and share my early literacy pre-reading skills channel, By the Letter Literacy Reading Lab, on YouTube. I put a lot of work into creating these videos, from ideation to editing/visuals and writing the songs, poems, chants, and lessons they feature. *These videos are not meant to replace formal instruction and are designed to be used with support from a family member, caregiver, or teacher.
Paid:
Buy one or more of my early literacy and teacher-themed shirts (they make great gifts for teachers and literacy/word nerds) to support my goal of purchasing phonics decodable books for classrooms. More shirt designs and additional early literacy products and services are coming soon.
I will have openings and soon begin accepting students for early literacy foundational skills instruction/intervention for spring and summer sessions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bytheletterliteracy.com
- Youtube: By the Letter Literacy _Reading Lab
