Why Teachers Love the Nardagani Reading Program
Across classrooms in Idaho and beyond, teachers are finding that the Nardagani Reading Program offers something rare in education—a method that truly transforms how students learn to read.
From middle school teachers and ESL instructors to special education specialists working with students who have IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), the verdict is the same: Nardagani works.
During teacher-led research studies in U.S. public schools, educators saw measurable gains in reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence—often within weeks. The data was dramatic, but even more powerful were the stories from teachers on the front lines of literacy.
(Original content ends here. Storytelling/expansion begins below.)
What Makes Nardagani Different
Most teachers agree that traditional reading programs often fall short—especially for students who struggle with phonics, spelling, or decoding words. The Nardagani system changes that.
By simplifying English into 12 letters that make only one sound and 12 symbols that represent all other sounds, students can finally see the logic behind how English words are built. Instead of memorizing unpredictable rules, they follow a clear, visual system that makes reading feel achievable—and fun.
This approach has caught the attention of teachers who have spent years searching for solutions that reach every student, not just those who fit traditional learning molds.
Teachers Speak Out
“Students jump into real reading right away.”
“Even though the Nardagani course is very short, it ends up being more effective than some of the other courses, because the students can jump into reading right away. They can jump into the Nardagani stories right away.
When it comes to other sorts of programs, those stories are very short, their sentence structure is very simple, there is not a lot of complexity, and just feels like it’s not real reading. However, with the Nardagani method, they can just jump in, they can read, and they are successful.”
— Beth Zuschlag, Literacy Specialist, Anser Charter School
Beth’s insight reflects a core strength of the Nardagani system: it’s short, but powerful. Rather than spending months preparing students for “real reading,” the program lets them experience success from the start. That immediate sense of accomplishment motivates learners who might otherwise give up.
(Storytelling addition: framing Beth’s quote in context and impact.)
“From no reading skills to second-grade level in 10 weeks.”
“A 5-year-old bilingual kindergarten student with no prior reading instruction was taught Nardagani on the eight-lesson plan. At the end of 10 weeks, this student showed marked improvement and tested at a second-grade reading level without the Nardagani symbols upon exiting kindergarten.”
— Jon Buckridge, English Teacher, Nampa School District
Jon’s story highlights how fast progress can happen when students are given the right system. For bilingual and ESL students, decoding English often feels impossible because pronunciation and spelling rules are inconsistent. But Nardagani’s symbol-based system bridges that gap, helping students connect sound to meaning more intuitively.
Imagine a kindergartner who begins the year unable to read a single word—and ends it reading entire paragraphs with confidence. That’s more than academic growth; it’s a transformation in self-esteem.
(Storytelling addition: elaborating on ESL context and emotional impact.)
“Finally—a program that teaches decoding differently.”
“Data gathered shows that completing the Nardagani program can yield a large amount of growth in a short time frame. I have been teaching special-education language learning labs for three years, and until being introduced to the Nardagani Reading Program had not found a program that teaches decoding in a different way than it is traditionally taught in the primary grades.
The method of teaching needs to be different because the previous approaches have either not worked, or only partially worked. A need for a novel approach also exists because the system of special education at the state level requires teachers to use some form of research-based intervention curriculum. Our current options are few and, quite frankly, poor.”
— Jody Braun, Special Education, Lake Hazel Middle School, West Ada School District
Jody’s testimony underscores one of the biggest challenges in education today: finding research-based interventions that actually move the needle.
Special education teachers often work with students who’ve been failed by traditional literacy systems. For these learners, repeating the same methods year after year doesn’t work—it only deepens frustration.
Nardagani provides something different: a new way of seeing language. It’s tactile, visual, and logical, giving teachers a tool that finally meets students where they are.
(Storytelling addition: connecting Jody’s experience to broader literacy challenges.)
Why Teachers Keep Coming Back
The reason teachers love Nardagani goes beyond the test scores. It’s the confidence they see in their students, the relief of having a method that finally works, and the joy of seeing reading click for the first time.
Here’s what sets Nardagani apart in the classroom:
Immediate success: Students start reading meaningful stories right away, not just short drills.
Universal adaptability: Works for early readers, ESL students, and those with reading disabilities.
Short and effective: The eight-lesson format delivers measurable improvement quickly.
Empowers teachers: Easy to integrate into existing curricula and backed by measurable data.
When students succeed early, they stay motivated. And when teachers see those results firsthand, they become lifelong advocates for the program.
Building a More Literate Future
The teachers who’ve used Nardagani aren’t just celebrating short-term gains—they’re helping redefine what’s possible in literacy education.
With continued research, more pilot programs, and growing awareness, the Nardagani Reading Program could become a cornerstone of how reading is taught across the U.S.
As Nardagani founder Narda Pitkethly often says, “Challenged readers are not dumb. Their brains just can’t grasp things in the way we traditionally teach them.” The success stories pouring in from classrooms prove she’s right.
From Boise to Buhl, from kindergarten to middle school, teachers are seeing that when you give students the right system, reading becomes not just possible—but joyful.
Learn More
To learn more about the Nardagani Reading Program, watch Narda Pitkethly’s TEDx talk, “A New Way to Learn to Read English,” or explore how you can bring the program into your school.
For more information, email info@nardagani.com or visitnardagani.com.
TEDx Talk by Founder: Watch Here
Website: https://www.nardagani.com
iOS Link: App Store
Google Play Link: Play Store
Promotional Video: Watch Here
