Kathy Ganske, PhD, is Research Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Vanderbilt University. She has been involved in researching, using, refining, and teaching about word study practices since the 1990s. Dr. Ganske's work is grounded in extensive teaching experience in elementary classrooms. Her current research interests include vocabulary development during small-group word study instruction and literacy reform in challenging schools. Dr. Ganske is the author, coauthor, or editor of several books, including Word Journeys, Second Edition; Word Sorts and More, Second Edition; Mindful of Words; and Comprehension Across the Curriculum, as well as numerous articles and book chapters.

Douglas Fisher, PhD, is Professor of Language and Literacy Education in the College of Education at San Diego State University and a classroom teacher at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego. He is a recipient of the Celebrate Literacy Award from the International Reading Association, the Paul and Kate Farmer English Journal Writing Award from the National Council of Teachers of English, and a Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Dr. Fisher has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design, as well as many books.