Literacy

Susan B. Katz is a National Board Certified Teacher and award-winning, best-selling bilingual children’s author, known for her expertise in curriculum development for English learners. She’s also an internationally respected keynote speaker, professional development facilitator, and literacy coach.

Educators will learn research-based strategies in small-group instruction based on Linnea Ehri's five developmental reading phases. In this one-hour webinar, educators will learn how to accommodate individual learning needs and design laser-targeted lessons to help promote equitable learning.

Mary K. Gove, PhD, is professor emeritus at Cleveland State University and specializes in promoting a balanced approach to literacy education. Dr. Gove formerly taught grades K–6 and worked in an urban district as a full-time professional developer.

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.

Sarah Brown, PhD, has held roles such as a professional learning leader in the ed tech assessment industry, bureau chief leading special education and multitiered system of supports implementation for the state of Iowa, district special education director, professional learning administrator, and school psychologist.

Lisa May is an award-winning literacy coach at Kildeer Countryside School District 96, a Model PLC School District. With more than twenty years in the field of education, she has classroom experience ranging from kindergarten through fourth grade.

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.

Julie A. Taylor, PhD, is an education and curriculum consultant providing professional development, training, and coaching to educators, administrators, and leaders in nonprofit organizations and state education agencies nationwide and internationally.