Jennifer Ruble, a 3rd grade teacher at Nikkari Elementary of St. Louis Public Schools (MO), has been named the Open Up Resources Teacher of the Month for April 2025. Ruble is being recognized for her outstanding work in her classroom and ongoing support of teachers across the country as a member of the Open Up Resources National Professional Learning Community.
Ruble’s work with Bookworms K–5 Reading and Writing makes her one of the most innovative teachers in the country. The Bookworms K–5 Reading and Writing curriculum inspires a new way of teaching language arts by engaging students through compelling, real-world content to build equitable and inclusive learning opportunities.
Jess Plont, a literacy coach at St. Louis Public Schools, nominated Ruble for providing just-in-time support to all students in her classroom. Plont shared, “Mrs. Ruble is a dedicated 3rd grade teacher who excels at meeting the diverse needs of her students while maintaining high expectations for all. She carefully plans lessons that challenge each student at their level, providing extra support when needed and encouraging every child to reach their full potential. Her classroom is organized and structured, with clear routines that help students feel safe and confident.”
In her nomination, Plont described Ruble’s classroom as a focused environment where students are motivated to learn and grow. She explained, “Mrs. Ruble’s ability to balance individualized support with rigorous challenges makes her classroom a place where every student can succeed.”
Ruble appreciates the progression of stories and skills in the Bookworms K–5 Reading & Writing curriculum She explained, “I love how the diverse texts promote rich discussion and deep thinking for each of my students both personally and globally. The stories provides a clear progression of skills that build upon one another, and my students naturally make lateral connections between stories as well as the skills. Bookworms has fostered a love for reading while helping them grow as confident, capable readers.”
And she offered some advice to those considering Bookworms K–5 Reading & Writing: “If you’re considering adopting this curriculum, I would say go for it! It provides a well-structured, research-based approach to reading instruction. The lessons are rich in science and social studies that are highly engaging and it truly supports student growth in both foundational skills and comprehension. I’ve seen firsthand how it builds confidence in young readers and fosters a love for literacy. I am excited to teach reading and writing every day and I truly am passionate about how well Bookworms works!”
Open Up Resources is a non-profit publisher in pursuit of delivering the highest quality learning experiences for all students by providing educators best in class, research-based PreK–12 curricula and professional learning so they may support every student’s academic success and create in-class experiences that celebrate, honor, and empower all students. Learn more at www.openupresources.org.