EXEMPLARY MIDDLE GRADES TEACHERS' VOICES: EXPERIENCES WITH USING TEXTS FOR INSTRUCTION

In recent years, educators in Tennessee have experienced changes in legislation that impact them daily. Laws that require educators to use curriculum materials from an approved list and that restrict teachers from supplementing these materials greatly impact student learning and success. This qualitative study examined exemplary middle grades language arts teachers' experiences with using texts and curriculum materials for instruction. Exemplary teachers in this study share their experiences with the use of texts and curriculum materials to meet the academic needs of their students.