Beloved Literacy Leader Dr. Kylene Beers Dies at 67 After Battle with Brain Cancer

WACO, TEXAS — June 20, 2025 — The literacy community is mourning the loss of one of its most influential voices, Dr. Kylene Beers, who passed away peacefully at her home in Waco, Texas, following a courageous three-month battle with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was 67.

A former president of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) from 2008–2009, Dr. Beers was a beacon of hope, innovation, and inspiration in the world of literacy education. Her loss is being deeply felt not only by her family and close colleagues but also by thousands of teachers, students, and educational leaders whose lives she touched through her tireless work.

A Lifelong Passion for Literacy

Born on September 16, 1957, Kylene Beers dedicated her life to helping students become confident, thoughtful readers. She began her career as a middle school language arts teacher in Texas, where her empathy, energy, and groundbreaking literacy strategies quickly set her apart. She later earned a graduate degree from the University of Houston, continuing her journey as a scholar, practitioner, and tireless advocate for students.

Her work led her to prestigious national roles, including serving as a Senior Reading Researcher at Yale University’s Comer School Development Program and as a Senior Reading Advisor at Teachers College, Columbia University. In these positions, Dr. Beers helped bridge the gap between research and real-world classroom practice.

A Visionary Leader and Mentor

Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Beers held numerous leadership roles that shaped literacy education nationwide. She was the editor of Voices from the Middle, served on the board of LitWorld, and led countless national and international literacy initiatives. But she never lost touch with the classroom, remaining deeply rooted in the realities faced by educators and students alike.

Each summer, her ranch in Waco became a hub of professional learning through the Tyrolia Institutes, where teachers gathered to exchange ideas, explore new approaches, and reignite their passion for teaching. These retreats became known as safe, inspiring spaces where teachers were reminded that literacy is not only about reading words, but also about reading the world.

A Prolific Author and Influential Thinker

Dr. Beers’ influence reached classrooms across the country through her powerful and accessible writing. Her bestselling book, When Kids Can’t Read: What Teachers Can Do, became a foundational text for educators working to support struggling readers. She also co-authored Notice and Note and Disrupting Thinking with longtime collaborator Bob Probst—works that challenged teachers to rethink how they engage students with texts.

Her writing was grounded in compassion, critical thinking, and a deep belief that every child has the right to become a reader. She called on teachers to ask hard questions, to listen closely to their students, and to believe that literacy can transform lives.

A Legacy That Lives On

Dr. Kylene Beers’ legacy is one of fearless leadership, intellectual rigor, and boundless heart. In every speech, workshop, and book, she reminded educators that teaching is about relationships first—about seeing the whole child, believing in their capacity, and nurturing their voice.

Today, the National Council of Teachers of English, fellow literacy advocates, and teachers from all walks of life are honoring Dr. Beers not only for what she taught, but for how she made people feel: seen, valued, and capable of making change.

As educators mourn this profound loss, they also recommit to the values Dr. Beers championed: equity, compassion, inquiry, and the transformative power of reading.

She is survived by her husband, family, a wide network of colleagues, and generations of teachers and students whose lives she forever changed.

In her memory, may we teach with courage, read with purpose, and believe in every child’s story.

Rest in peace, Dr. Kylene Beers.

Your words will continue to guide us.