Literacy Across the Globe: What We Can Learn From International Classrooms with Treasa Bowe
In this episode, I sit down with Treasa Bowe, an educator from Ireland, to talk about literacy instruction across countries. We unpack the differences between Ireland and the U.S., what’s contributing to teacher overwhelm, and what actually matters most when it comes to supporting students.
This conversation is a good reminder that we don’t need to do more—we need to be more intentional with what we choose to focus on.
Meet Our Guest
Treasa Bowe is an experienced educator from Ireland with over 25 years in the classroom. She has taught both in Ireland and the United States and shares her learning through her platform:
https://www.instagram.com/betweenthecoversofagoodbook/
In This Episode, We Talk About
The difference between autonomy and structure
Teachers in Ireland often have more flexibility in how they teach, while U.S. teachers are often supported by more structured curriculum. There are benefits to both, but the goal is finding a balance.
Why teachers feel so overwhelmed right now
There is simply too much. Too many programs, too many expectations, and not enough time to go deep. Teresa shares the importance of choosing one focus at a time and letting it fully stick.
What really matters at each stage of literacy
Not everything needs equal attention all the time. Early grades should be grounded in strong foundational skills, while older students need more focus on comprehension and vocabulary.
The importance of slowing down in the early years
Ireland takes more time with oral language, play, and fine motor development. Rushing into reading and writing too quickly can create gaps later on.
Why oral language can’t be skipped
Students need to be able to think and speak before they can write. Strong language development is the foundation for everything that follows.
What the U.S. is doing really well
Coaching, collaboration, and structured planning time are powerful supports for teachers and something Teresa found incredibly valuable.
What gives hope moving forward
Teachers. Their willingness to learn, reflect, and grow continues to drive this work forward.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to do everything.
Choose one area.
Focus on it.
Let it stick.
That’s where the real impact happens.
Want More?
Explore more Science of Reading PD, decodables, small-group planning tools, coaching sessions, and literacy resources at Route2Reading inside the Literacy Edventures Membership.
