The world of literacy education and the teaching community has lost a true pioneer and beloved mentor—Kylene Beers. On June 20, 2025, in her home in Waco, Texas, Kylene peacefully passed away after a courageous three-month battle with glioblastoma multiforme, a form of brain cancer. Her life, marked by dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to improving literacy and education, leaves behind a legacy that will influence generations of teachers and students alike.
Born on September 16, 1957, Kylene Beers dedicated over four decades of her life to empowering teachers and fostering literacy across the United States and beyond. Her passion for teaching began early in her career, where she worked with middle school students and quickly became known for her innovative approaches and research-driven practices. Even as a young teacher, she undertook several research projects, demonstrating her commitment to understanding how children learn to read and how educators can better support them.
As her career advanced, Kylene took on roles of increasing responsibility and influence. While pursuing graduate studies at the University of Houston, she assumed responsibility for teaching undergraduate courses in Children’s Literature and Content Area Reading. Her dedication and expertise eventually led her to serve as Visiting Assistant Professor at Sam Houston State University, where she continued her focus on children’s and adolescent literature.
Her work extended to Yale University’s School Development Program, where she was a Senior Reading Researcher, and later, to Teachers College, Columbia University, where she was a Senior Reading Advisor with the Reading and Writing Project. Her involvement in these institutions reflected her deep commitment to research, service, and the practical application of literacy strategies that transformed classrooms across North America.
Kylene’s service extended far beyond academia. She was a sought-after consultant, conducting workshops, speeches, and advisory sessions with school systems throughout the United States and Canada. Her work took her to distant places such as Bangkok and Bordeaux, as well as small towns like Red Deer, Canada, exemplifying her unwavering dedication to improving literacy education on a global scale.
Her most influential contribution was her authoring of *When Kids Can’t Read/What Teachers Can Do* (2002), a groundbreaking book considered one of the most significant texts on reading instruction in the last 50 years. For over two decades, this work has served as a vital resource for teachers striving to support struggling readers. She also collaborated on numerous other influential publications, including *Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading*, *Reading Nonfiction: Notice and Note Signposts and Questions*, *Disrupting Thinking*, and *Forged by Reading*. Her articles appeared in esteemed journals such as *English Journal*, *Journal of Reading*, and *Voices from the Middle*.
Kylene also played a pivotal role in editing and developing educational resources, serving as editor of *Voices from the Middle* for seven years and contributing as a senior author to influential textbook series like *Elements of Literature* and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s *Into Reading* and *Into Literature* programs.
Beyond her published works and research, Kylene was renowned for her warmth, generosity, and dedication to community. She organized and hosted the Tyrolia Institutes at her ranch in Waco—a gathering of teachers from across the United States and Canada, focused on literacy development. She was actively involved in planning and hosting these institutes up until her final days, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to professional growth.
Her colleagues and friends remember her as a leader, mentor, and friend who transformed the landscape of literacy education. Her work continues to inspire teachers to adopt more effective practices and to nurture a love of reading among children.
Kylene Beers’s passing leaves a profound void, but her legacy endures through her writings, her mentorship, and the countless educators she inspired. Her family, friends, and colleagues mourn her loss but also celebrate her life—a life dedicated to service, learning, and the betterment of children’s literacy.
As the education community reflects on her extraordinary contributions, it is clear that Kylene’s impact will continue to shape the future of literacy education for generations to come. Her unwavering passion and commitment remind us all of the transformative power of dedicated teaching and the enduring importance of literacy in shaping lives.