Shelly Self is the Founder and Chair of the Read Me A Story Foundation.

She grew up in SE Oklahoma enjoying school, basketball, riding horses, and participating in 4H. After her husband completed his military service, they moved to East Texas to begin their teaching careers. Currently a reading interventionist in East Texas, she has spent 25 years serving K–8 students and holds a bachelor’s degree in education. Shelly founded the organization to promote family reading and provide access to free storybooks to children in Title I schools. Her passion is helping children develop a lifelong love of reading and the skills needed for academic success. Some of her favorite stories from childhood are Too Many Mittens, Ferdinand the Bull, and Harry the Dirty Dog.

For more than 30 years, Ginger has dedicated her career to helping children discover the life-changing power of reading. After 18 years as a first-grade teacher, she now serves as an elementary Assistant Principal, where she supports students, teachers, and families while fostering a culture of literacy and learning.

A certified Reading Specialist, Ginger also teaches university education courses, mentors future educators, and serves as a Texas Reading Academy instructor, training teachers across the state in the Science of Reading and evidence-based literacy practices.

Ginger's work has always been guided by one belief: Every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident reader. Whether leading a school, preparing educators, or serving on the Read Me A Story Foundation Board, she is committed to ensuring every child has access to books, experiences the joy of reading, and gains the lifelong opportunities that literacy provides.

A 5th-generation Texan, Michele is currently enjoying retirement with her husband after 34 years of service in education. She has experience in a diverse range of instruction achieved through general and specialist classroom teaching, RTI (Response to Intervention) instruction, RST (Reading Strength Training), staff mentoring, and campus/district administration. She holds a Master of Science degree along with multiple educator certifications, and completed her educational career serving as a Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.

Jeannette Peel has been a public school teacher for the last 50 years, including teaching in the regular classroom for grades 1-6; G/T teacher for grades K-8; teaching music and theater in grades K-12; being an ELAR facilitator, dyslexia instructor, and RTI specialist for K-6; teaching the first Reading Academy for Region VII Service Center; and enjoying substitute teaching during her retirement years. She has a passion for teaching reading and writing to young students and was delighted to be asked to serve on the board of the Read Me a Story Foundation.

After completing his Army service, Bill has invested 32 years in Texas public schools as a teacher, coach, and transportation director. During his career, he has taught every grade level from K-12 and in multiple subjects including US History, Texas History, Government, Economics, World History, World Geography, Health, and Physical Education. During his coaching career, he coached football, track, baseball, softball, wrestling, and basketball. In 2016, he won a football state championship as a defensive position coach. Eighteen of his 28 years in the classroom were teaching middle school students where he experienced firsthand the hindrance to learning caused by poor reading skills and vocabulary development in the lower grade levels. He enjoys spending time with his wife, his three children, and three grandchildren. In his free time he loves to read and ride motorcycles, but not at the same time. One of his favorite children’s books is The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear.

After owning and operating a successful small business for ten years, Jackie transitioned into corporate management. She brings with her a strong foundation in leadership, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.