Mary Jo Fresch, PhD is an Academy Professor and Professor Emeritus from the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University. An educator for 40+ years, she taught third grade, adult literacy, and pre- and in-service teachers' literacy methods. Her research and writing focus on literacy learning with a particular concentration on phonics and spelling. Mary Jo lives in Dublin, Ohio with her husband, Hank.

David L. Harrison has co-written eighteen books for classroom teachers. He has been poet laureate for Missouri and for Drury University. NCTE has five times chosen his work for Most Notable Books of Poetry. He has received the Pioneer in Education Award and two honorary doctorates in letters.