Donald R. Bear ,

Donald R. Bear is Professor Emeritus of Literacy Studies at Iowa State University and the University of Nevada, Reno, where he directed reading centers, taught at all levels, and conducted research on orthographic development and literacy learning across languages.[1][2] A former classroom teacher with a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in 1982 and a B.A. from George Washington University in 1974, he is a prolific author and co-author of numerous articles, chapters, and 17 books, including the widely used Words Their Way series.[2][3] Inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2025, he has received awards for teaching and service and served on boards like the International Literacy Association.[1][2]