Belonging in School: Creating a Place Where Kids Want to Learn and Teachers Want to Stay — An Illustrated Playbook, 2/e

Nancy Frey is a professor of literacy in the School of Teacher Education at San Diego State University. Through the university’s teacher-credentialing and reading specialist programs, she teaches courses on elementary and secondary reading instruction and literacy in content areas, classroom management, and supporting students with diverse learning needs.

Frey also teaches classes at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego. She is a board member of the California Reading Association and a credentialed special educator and reading specialist in California.

Before joining the university faculty, Frey was a public school teacher in Florida. She worked at the state level for the Florida Inclusion Network helping districts design systems for supporting students with disabilities in general education classrooms.

She is the recipient of the 2008 Early Career Achievement Award from the National Reading Conference and the Christa McAuliffe Award for excellence in teacher education from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. She was co-recipient of the Farmer Award for excellence in writing from the National Council of Teachers of English for the article "Using Graphic Novels, Anime, and the Internet in an Urban High School". She is a member of the International Literacy Association’s Literacy Research Panel and is a popular speaker at national literacy conferences where she leads professional development workshops.

Taryl Hansen brings over two decades of classroom experience and educational expertise to her work as an author with QEP Books. Throughout her career as an educator, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating engaging, accessible learning materials that meet diverse student needs. Her passion for education stems from her belief that every student deserves quality resources that make complex concepts understandable and meaningful.

Hansen's approach to educational content development is rooted in her extensive classroom experience, where she witnessed firsthand the importance of clear, well-structured materials in student success. She specializes in creating resources that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that learners can connect new concepts to their existing understanding. Her work consistently reflects current educational best practices and incorporates research-based strategies that support effective teaching and learning.

As an author with QEP Books, Hansen continues to champion educational excellence by developing materials that empower both educators and students. Her dedication to improving educational outcomes is evident in her meticulous attention to pedagogical detail and her commitment to creating resources that inspire confidence in learners. Hansen's contributions to educational publishing reflect her deep understanding of the evolving needs of today's classrooms and her genuine desire to make a positive impact on education.