#108: My Child Couldn’t Read and No One Noticed with Missy Purcell
She Was a Teacher. Her Child Couldn’t Read. And the School Didn’t See It.
When Missy Purcell realized her third-grade son couldn’t read—not really—it hit hard. Not just because she was his mom, but because she had also been a teacher. She’d taught the curriculum. Trusted the experts. Followed the plan.
And somehow… it still failed her child.
That heartbreak turned into a mission—one that led Missy to share her story publicly, first as a parent, then as an advocate, and eventually, as a featured voice on Emily Hanford’s now-viral podcast, Sold a Story.
In this episode of The Science of Reading Formula, Missy opens up about the moment everything changed, and how she became one of the most courageous, honest voices in the movement to fix reading instruction—starting with the kids slipping through the cracks.
What Sold a Story Revealed—And Why Missy’s Story Stood Out
If you’ve listened to Sold a Story, you know it shook the literacy world. But Missy’s story in particular hit a nerve—because it exposed a reality so many families live through:
A child is bright. Curious. Kind.
But year after year, they fall further behind in reading.
And no one sounds the alarm.
In Missy’s case, her son was passing. He was showing up. He was even getting praise. But when she sat down to read with him at home, she saw the truth: he didn’t have the skills he needed—and no one at school had noticed.
That was the moment she stopped trusting the system to fix itself.
What Teachers Can Learn From Missy’s Journey
Missy doesn’t share her story to shame educators. She was one. She knows how hard it is to teach reading, especially when you’ve only been given half the picture.
Her message is one of awakening, not accusation. And for teachers, it’s a wake-up call worth hearing.
Here are three powerful takeaways from Missy’s experience:
1. Some Kids Can’t Read—Even If They’re “On Level”
We can’t assume every child who behaves well or scores average is truly reading. Missy’s son was a master of masking—using strong language skills to cover up serious decoding gaps. And it worked… until it didn’t.
“He could memorize. He could guess. He could look like he was reading. But he wasn’t.”
2. Balanced Literacy Fails the Kids Who Need Us Most
Missy believed in what she was trained to teach: leveled books, three-cueing, “just right” reading levels. But when she looked at her son’s progress (or lack of it), she had to face a painful truth:
“What I taught didn’t work for my own child. And if it didn’t work for him… who else is it failing?”
That’s what Sold a Story revealed—and why it resonated with thousands of educators just like her.
3. You Don’t Have to Be an Expert to Start Making Change
Missy didn’t have a Ph.D. She didn’t launch a program. She just told the truth—and asked better questions.
Now, she’s helping other teachers do the same: learn what’s actually backed by research, examine what’s not, and shift one step at a time.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
- Why reading struggles often go undetected—even in “good” schools
- The moment Missy realized her son wasn’t reading—and how no one had caught it
- How Sold a Story amplified Missy’s voice and helped change hearts and minds
- What teachers can do to shift from balanced literacy to practices that truly work
- How to advocate without shame—and grow without guilt
Bringing It All Together
If you’ve ever wondered if something in your reading block isn’t quite working—or worried that some kids are getting left behind—Missy’s story will meet you where you are.
It’s not a story about blame. It’s a story about truth, courage, and the willingness to say:
“We can do better. And I want to be part of that.”
Because for every child who’s slipping through unseen, there’s a teacher out there ready to see them—and fight for something better.
Want Support Making the Shift? Join The Science of Reading Formula
If you’re ready to teach reading in a way that’s rooted in both science and empathy, we’re here to help.
👉 Join The Science of Reading Formula
Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert coaching, and a community of educators who are committed to getting this right—for every reader.
LINKS
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!
WHAT TO LISTEN TO NEXT
Rate, Review, and Follow
If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.
Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!
While you’re there, be sure to follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don’t want you to miss out! Follow right here.
