Literacy

Dr. Jeryl Kimbrough-Scott is a lifelong educator, who has worked to transform school culture and climate through a collaborative approach that involves staff and students. She supports schools in literacy, effective strategies for English learners, differentiation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

Lisa Cebelak is a national leader in education who is passionate about literacy as the heart of student learning. Lisa specializes in the areas of literacy, instructional coaching, and curriculum design.

Ellen Linnihan is a National Board Certified English and public speaking teacher in Wisconsin. Her passion is using video to improve teaching and learning to empower students of all levels.

Billy Eastman is a curriculum coordinator for secondary English language arts at Clear Creek Independent School District in Texas where he leads efforts to implement student-centered authentic literacy practices.

Jen Cullerton Johnson is an award-winning children’s author, educator, and environmental advocate. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she’s worked with incarcerated youth and urban classrooms; taught abroad in Japan, Ecuador, and Argentina; and led nature-writing workshops in outdoor settings.

Attendees will learn practical ways to involve multiple stakeholders in developing a productive and celebratory reading culture in schools and classrooms.

Paige Timmerman is a high school English teacher at Salem Community High School in Salem, Illinois and a National Board Certified Teacher member since 2019. She strives to provide authentic, real-world writing opportunities that meet her students’ skills and interests.

Kourtney Hake is an English teacher at Sparta Lincoln School in Sparta, Illinois. She is also a member of the National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE), the Illinois Reading Council (IRC), and the Illinois Association of Teachers of English (IATE) since 2014.

Brianna Bamber, EdD, is an assistant principal at a priority high school in Sacramento with more than 20 years of classroom experience. Her focus is on literacy instruction, best grading practices, feedback strategies, teacher clarity, and classroom culture.

Lyndsi Smith, PhD, has served the education community for over 20 years in a variety of capacities. Throughout her career, Dr. Smith has delivered professional learning workshops, provided in-classroom instructional support, and presented at local, state, and national conferences.