Former elementary school teacher and reading specialist Michael F. Opitz, Ph.D. is a professor of elementary education and reading at the University of Northern Colorado. Michael works in selective classrooms in the United States and abroad planning, teaching, and evaluating demonstration lessons focused on different aspects of literacy in K–5 classrooms. He has published several articles in professional and trade journals and presents at state and international conferences.

He is the author of eight books, including Listen Hear! 25 Effective Listening Comprehension Strategies; Reaching Readers:Flexible and Innovative Strategies for Guided Reading; Good-bye Round Robin; Rhymes and Reasons: Literature and Language Play for Phonological Awareness; Flexible Grouping in Reading; and Literacy Instruction for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students.