Former elementary school teacher and reading specialist, Dr. Michael F. Opitz is a professor of elementary education and reading at the University of Northern Colorado. He is the author of the following books: Do-able Differentiation (2008, Heinemann), Books and Beyond (2007, Heinemann), Don't Speed. READ! (2007, Scholastic), Diagnosis and Improvement of Reading Instruction (Allyn & Bacon, 2007), Listen Hear! 25 Effective Listening Comprehension Strategies (Heinemann, 2004), Reaching Readers: Flexible and Innovative Strategies for Guided Reading (Heinemann, 2001), Rhymes and Reasons: Literature and Language Play for Phonological Awareness (Heinemann, 2000), Good-bye Round Robin (Heinemann, 1998), Flexible Grouping in Reading (Scholastic, 1998), and Literacy Instruction for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (International Reading Association, 1998).

Michael works in selective classrooms in the US and abroad planning, teaching and evaluating demonstration lessons focused on different aspect of literacy in K-5 classrooms. He is also an author of Summer Success Reading (Great Source, 2001). He works as a consultant for Great Source Education Group, the US Department of Defense Schools and presents on-line and sponsored workshops for Heinemann. Michael has published several articles in professional and trade journals and presents at state and international conferences.