5 Characteristics that Made

Charlotte Lockhart a Visionary Leader

By Angie Stevens for Reading HorizonsFor the full article and more education blogs, visit

www.readinghorizons.com/blog-roll

Charlotte Lockhart“The Biphonic Woman”

1914-2006

Cared About IndividualsAs a principal, Lockhart took it upon herself to help struggling readers. She could’ve blamed the teachers for poor performance and felt justified in ignoring the problem. But, she knew she could help and she cared enough to invest herself.

Passionate About TeachingWhen Reading Horizons Company President, Tyson Smith, first met Charlotte Lockhart in 2000, her passion was striking. When they started discussing helping struggling readers he described her excitement by saying “she was almost like my eight-year-old daughter that can’t contain her wiggles. She just lit up.”

Questioned the Status QuoAs a principal, Lockhart was alerted that students were struggling with reading. But, instead of doing what so many of us do when faced with bad news, she didn’t accept it. She questioned it. She refused to accept that these students were destined to struggle. She took it on herself to answer the right questions: why are these students struggling? What can I do to help them? And she didn’t stop until she answered those questions.

Created a RecordBecause Lockhart was extremely successful in helping struggling readers learn to read, she was urged by many of her colleagues to publish her strategies…She could’ve kept her strategies to herself, or declined to expend the effort necessary to record them, but instead she choose to share them—making it possible for her success and impact to live on, even after she passed on.

Determined to Complete GoalsAlthough there must’ve been times when she left overwhelmed, she was determined to make the difference that she knew she was capable of making. Whether it was helping struggling students or preserving the strategies she had developed so they could live on, she was completely dedicated to her goals and continued until she successfully completed them.

We have been blessed to have the opportunity to maintain Charlotte’s legacy in helping to make a difference for students that otherwise would live a life without literacy skills. Charlotte was a very real pioneer in establishing how to best address students’ needs, and we have worked very diligently to maintain the integrity of what she authored.”– Tyson Smith, Reading Horizons Company President

“Several years ago I was introduced to this method, and I was amazed at what I was learning. There were so many 'aha' moments. As I reflect on the fact that Charlotte wrote this method back in the sixties/early-seventies, it just floors me to think about the insight that she had. We're grateful for Charlotte's ability to meet so many needs, and every day were finding more and more needs that we're able to fill [with Charlotte’s method].”– Heidi Hyte, Reading Horizons Curriculum Director

5 Characteristics that Made

Charlotte Lockhart a Visionary LeaderBy Angie Stevens for Reading Horizons

For the full article, visit www.readinghorizons.com/blog/5-characteristics-that-made-charlotte-lockhart-a-visionary-leader