Allison Brinkman

21 Years in Education
1st Grade Teacher

Somis Union Elementary School
Somis Union School District
Somis, CA

My Favorite Feature

“I like the easy to follow organization of their progression through the steps. It makes it easy for the students to see their own progress and remain motivated to finish each “train”.”

My Class Story

“In our first-grade classroom, we have students with a wide range of reading abilities. At the beginning of the school year, one of my students was unable to name the letters of the alphabet, identify letter sounds, or demonstrate proper letter formation. In contrast, another student was already reading at a second-grade level.

To address this diverse range of skills, we incorporate Footsteps to Brilliance as part of our daily routine. Each student uses a one-to-one device for at least 20 minutes a day, engaging with the program at their individual reading level. This allows me to provide targeted instruction by working with small groups or one-on-one with students to address their specific learning needs.

For example, the student who initially struggled to write any letters has made remarkable progress. With reminders, they can now associate sounds with letters and write those letters, enabling them to form simple words. This growth highlights the effectiveness of Footsteps to Brilliance in ensuring every child is working at their appropriate level, making meaningful progress instead of simply completing busywork.

In addition to academic improvement, the student who initially struggled has shown a significant increase in confidence and school readiness. This progress has not only positively impacted their own learning experience but also inspired a sense of achievement in the entire class. Moreover, I have observed that the use of Footsteps to Brilliance has enhanced all students’ abilities to maintain academic endurance, helping them stay focused and engaged during learning activities.”

How Footsteps2Brilliance Improves Literacy in My Class

I am able to teach targeted instruction to small groups or 1:1, while all students are making progress with the Footsteps to Brilliance program and remain academically engaged.