Literacy

JoEllen McCarthy is a literacy expert, speaker, and author dedicated to integrating academic and affective learning through inclusive mentor texts. She supports educators and students by promoting joyful, student-centered literacy practices that connect reading, writing, and life skills.

Catlin Goodrow is an intervention teacher and instructional coach at the Spokane International Academy in Spokane, Washington.

Stephanie Stollar, PhD, is passionate about using multitiered systems of supports as the framework for helping all students become skilled readers. Dr. Stollar advises the next generation of policy leaders in her role as an assistant professor at Mount St. Joseph University.

In this two-day symposium, a Solution Tree expert will lead K-6 educators through a process using their T.E.A.M.S framework that makes high levels of learning for all literacy scholars not only possible, but probable and practical.

Explore how teacher teams can ensure equitable literacy learning so that every student masters essential reading standards. Jacqueline Heller and Paula Maeker, authors of Literacy in a PLC at Work®: Guiding Teams to Get Going and Get Better in K–6 Reading, will help literacy educators navigate the teaching, learning, assessment, and feedback cycle of reading through the lens of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work.

Jacie Maslyk, EdD has over 25 years of experience in education. She has previously served as a teacher, reading specialist, instructional coach, elementary principal, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent.

Brian Wise is an English Department chair at Deerfield High School in the suburbs of Chicago. Previously, he spent 16 years as a teacher and literacy coach at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Kate Stavish is a middle school English teacher at Loudoun Country Day School in Leesburg, Virginia. A former assistant principal, she works with instructors from all divisions to build school and classroom culture and to implement disciplinary literacy for all students.

In this two-day symposium, a Solution Tree expert will lead K-6 educators through a process using their T.E.A.M.S framework that makes high levels of learning for all literacy scholars not only possible, but probable and practical.

What if we could unlock the potential for every child to become a strong, confident reader? Decades of research show us how—yet many classrooms still rely on outdated practices that leave too many students behind. In this powerful session, the authors will unpack the science of reading: what it is, why it matters, and how it can transform instruction. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how students actually learn to read and practical steps schools can take to bring this research to life. Together, we can turn the promise of literacy for all into a reality.