Beloved Literacy Leader Dr. Kylene Beers Dies at 67 After Battle with Brain Cancer; NCTE and Educators Nationwide Mourn Profound Loss
The literacy community and educators across the country mourn the loss of a transformative leader and beloved mentor. Dr. Kylene Beers, former President of the National Council of Teachers of English (2008–09), passed away peacefully at her home in Waco, Texas, on June 20, 2025, after a brave, three-month battle with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer .
A Lifelong Passion for Literacy
Born on September 16, 1957, Beers began her career in education as a middle‑school language arts teacher in Texas, quickly gaining recognition for her innovative, research-based teaching methods. After earning her graduate degree from the University of Houston, she joined Sam Houston State University as a Visiting Assistant Professor, specializing in children’s and adolescent literature .
Her journey continued as a Senior Reading Researcher at Yale University’s Comer School Development Program and later as Senior Reading Advisor at Teachers College, Columbia University .
Leadership & Professional Service
Beers held significant roles in literacy leadership—she served as editor of Voices from the Middle, president of the National Council of Teachers of English (2008–09), and was an active board member of LitWorld . Her dedication to professional development extended beyond boardrooms into real classrooms—her ranch in Waco hosted the annual Tyrolia Institutes, where teachers gathered for rich literacy learning.
Author & Thought Leader
A prolific author, Dr. Beers’ work revolutionized reading instruction:
- When Kids Can’t Read: What Teachers Can Do (2002) became an essential resource for struggling readers .
- In collaboration with Bob Probst, she co-authored influential titles such as Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading, Reading Nonfiction, Disrupting Thinking, and Forged by Reading .
Her books have bridged theory and practice, helping educators cultivate deeper comprehension and critical thinking skills in students.
A Mentor & Advocate
Dr. Beers was known not only for her scholarship but for her warmth and generosity. She inspired countless teachers through conferences, workshops, and coaching—receiving the NCTE Leadership Award and the Middle-Grades Outstanding Teaching Award. Educators often described her as warm, encouraging, and endlessly dedicated to their professional growth .
A Global Impact
Her workshops reached across North America and abroad—from classrooms in Thailand and France to rural towns in Canada. Her message: quality literacy education belongs everywhere, and every teacher can make a difference.
Family & Personal Life
Kylene was deeply connected to her family—husband Brad and their beloved dog Coda on their Texas ranch. Social-media posts by her family confirmed that they returned to Houston as her condition worsened, conveying her final months as filled with love, dignity, and incredible support .
Legacy & Continued Influence
Though her passing creates a profound void, her impact lives on:
- Her books remain core resources in literacy instruction.
- Techniques from Notice & Note continue shaping classroom practices worldwide .
- The teachers she mentored and touched through institutes and coaching now mentor others—ensuring her legacy continues to grow.
Final Reflections
Dr. Kylene Beers exemplified the power of purpose-driven teaching. Her blend of research, practical strategies, and compassionate mentorship transformed literacy instruction in profound ways. She reminded educators everywhere:
“Reading is not about acquiring a certain set of skills… Reading is a way of life; reading sends us on an exploration of wondering, discovering, growing, and doing.”
Her passing on June 20, 2025, following a courageous battle with glioblastoma, marks the end of an era—but also the start of a lasting legacy that will continue to impact generations of readers and educators.
To the family, friends, colleagues, and the educators she inspired: may you find comfort in her extraordinary contributions and the countless lives she touched. Dr. Kylene Beers’s vision for literacy education lives on—in every classroom that embraces reading as a path to empowerment.
