Ruth Ayres and Becca Burk believe that together we can make a world where all children grow mentally fit and cognitively strong. Yet, there are days when we feel completely, totally, and undeniably disheartened—the days that threaten joy and attempt to swipe hope.
Sticky Hope is a dream to allow hope to stick, even in the stickiest situations.
Ruth and Becca met because they are writers and are enamored by the way humans become stronger readers and writers. They soon discovered that they were both foster parents, and that they shared a passion for helping children heal from hard starts to life.
Organically, their emails turned to texts and their texts became more frequent. Soon their conversations were too big for their thumbs to text, and they began talking on the phone.
In the Summer of 2024, at a Choice Literacy Writing Retreat, Ruth and Becca were sitting on the porch and talking about helping children heal. Slowly, their fellow writers joined the line of rocking chairs, pulling their chairs closer and listening to the conversation.
One said, “You need to start sharing your perspectives. Teachers and administrators are desperate to know how to help kids heal.”
The conversation swirled with energy and momentum. As Ruth and Becca continued talking, their colleagues encouraged them to realize their unique perspectives—and to share them with others.
Their hearts were full as they returned to their beautiful, messy lives. Becca to Maine and her full home of young foster children. Ruth to Indiana and her empty nest because her children are all young adults. Their conversations didn’t stop. In fact, they became more prolific, despite the chaos that comes with helping children (and young adults) heal.
There is a quote that captures what happened next.
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. —Anaïs Nin
Ruth and Becca wrote a book proposal and submitted it to an editor. They continued to talk about the perplexing behaviors of students (and their own children) and the reality of experiencing extreme behaviors more often in schools.
They realized the complexities and nuances of their thinking could not be confined to the draft of their new book. They also felt a sense of urgency to begin a real-time conversation with a community of educators.
Welcome to Sticky Hope.
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Ruth’s Professional Bio (The Long Version)
Ruth Ayres is the editor in chief of Choice Literacy, a powerful hub of content for teachers by teachers. Ruth curates a multimedia library of articles, videos, and professional development resources created by educators from around the globe. She values uplifting the voices of educators who spend their days in schools.
Ruth is also the Director of The Lead Learners, a professional learning network for instructional influencers. She tailors professional learning to those in positions of instructional coaches, specialists, directors, and teacher-leaders. These are the gems in our schools who often have untapped potential to lead positive change.
Ruth has served in education for more than 25 years, beginning as a middle school language arts teacher and then working as a K-12 instructional coach with an emphasis on teaching writers. She also served as an innovation specialist, leading a team of instructional coaches and planning professional learning to encourage teachers to guide their students into deeper critical thinking. Ruth is a biology major and English minor with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education. Her master’s degree is in leadership. Her most recent book is Enticing Hard-to-Reach Writers.
Ruth works with teachers from around the globe through in-person and virtual professional learning experiences. She is known for practical ideas that leave participants feeling understood, equipped, and energized. Ruth’s messages resonate with teachers because despite their complexity, they are approached with authenticity. Topics include teaching writers, understanding emotional dysregulation, and building leadership confidence in instructional influencers.
Ruth and her husband Andy live in northern Indiana. You can find them swimming laps in the pool, cooking with fresh ingredients in their kitchen, or hiking in the woods. They have four young-adult children. They were all adopted, and three were adopted as older children from foster care.
Becca’s Professional Bio (The Long Version)
Becca Burk is a Maine-based educator stepping into a new role as a special education teacher with a focus on supporting students with behavioral needs. She brings over a decade of experience in early childhood and elementary education, grounded in inclusive, relationship-centered practices.
Becca earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maine at Farmington and her master’s in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she also served as a fellow with the Reading and Writing Project. She is currently working on another master’s degree in special education. Her teaching journey began in a diverse third-grade classroom and eventually led her to kindergarten, where she spent six years honing her craft in early instruction.
She has partnered with the National Cohort for Customized Learning, presented on differentiated instruction, and served in building and district leadership roles. Becca also writes for Teachers Books, Readers, and Choice Literacy and engages in think tanks with the Reading and Writing Project and TC’s Literacy Specialist Program. Her work focuses on helping children develop strong identities as readers, problem solvers, and change-makers.
Becca lives in a small Maine town with her husband and foster children, where every day is filled with learning, love, and a bit of joyful chaos.