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«Back to all edWebinarsWhy Motivation Matters: Unlocking Early Reading Success
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Molly Ness, Experienced Educator, Author, and Teacher Educator, Dirigo Literacy; and Dana Jaffee, Director, Professional Learning Services, Zaner-Bloser
Sponsored by Zaner-Bloser
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Only a small percentage of children today report enjoying reading for pleasure, and motivation to read begins to decline as early as first grade. For educators, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
In this engaging, research-based edWebinar, Dr. Molly Ness will explore how reading motivation fuels academic achievement and the development of foundational reading skills, such as word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. She’ll unpack why intrinsic motivation is linked to deeper comprehension, higher achievement, and greater persistence with challenging texts, and reveal the critical role of self-efficacy: when young learners believe they can succeed as readers, they’re more willing to take risks, stay engaged, and read more.
Attendees of this session will:
- Explore what truly motivates young readers and why intrinsic motivation matters more than rewards and incentives
- Discover how self-efficacy shapes a child’s identity as a reader and how instruction can strengthen it
- Learn ways to support early reading development through meaningful, engaging literacy experiences
- Walk away with practical strategies to build students’ confidence and motivation to read
Whether you’re working to build a strong early literacy foundation, boost engagement, or cultivate a culture of joyful reading, this session will equip you with practical tools and research-based insights to better support every student’s journey toward becoming a confident, capable reader. This edWebinar will be of interest to K–3 teachers and school and district leaders.
About the Presenters
Dr. Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. She earned a doctorate in reading education at the University of Virginia and spent 16 years as an Associate Professor at Fordham University in New York City. The author of six books, Dr. Ness serves on the board for the World Literacy Foundation. She has extensive experience directing reading clinics, consulting with school districts, leading professional development, and advising school systems on research-based reading instruction. In 2024, she founded Dirigo Literacy, a literacy consulting firm helping schools, districts, and states align with and implement the Science of Reading.
Dana Jaffee has more than 18 years of experience in elementary teaching and instructional coaching. She has spent the past nine years at Zaner-Bloser, where she currently serves as Director of Professional Learning Services. She is passionate about helping all students access high-quality core reading instruction grounded in scientifically based reading research. She loves partnering with educators to deliver relevant and impactful professional development that empowers them to create meaningful learning experiences for their students.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the Be a Literacy Hero community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Zaner-Bloser develops curriculum resources to teach foundational literacy and math skills to students in prekindergarten through sixth grade. Our resources help teachers engage and empower students and inspire more “aha” moments to harness the creative power of learning. As a member of the Highlights Family of Companies, we believe children are the most important people, so we strive to always do what’s right for children and to make a significant contribution to their education.
