William Herbert Teale (Bill Teale) (19 June 1947 – 3 February 2018)[1] was an American expert in early childhood literacy.

He was Professor in the Literacy, Language & Culture Program, University Scholar, and director of the University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Literacy.

[2][3] Born in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania on 19 June 1947, Teale received his BA in English at Pennsylvania State University, and his Ed.D in reading and English education at the University of Virginia.

He served as a consultant to school districts and libraries across the United States, as well as to Children’s Television Workshop, Head Start, public television, Reach Out and Read, and NGOs in developing programs focused on literacy learning and teaching.

He was director of the UIC Center for Literacy, on the board of directors of the Literacy Research Association (2007–2009), on the board of directors of the International Reading Association (2011–2014), and president of the International Literacy Association (2016–2017).