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Cultivating a Joyful Reading Culture in Elementary Schools
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
Presented by Nicole Downer, Academic Officer, Teacher Created Materials; and Erica Reardon, Academic Officer, Teacher Created Materials
Moderated by Jen Jump, Senior Academic Officer, Teacher Created Materials
Sponsored by Teacher Created Materials
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
A school reading culture rooted in curiosity and choice can be a powerful catalyst for engagement, especially for students who struggle to see themselves as readers.
In this engaging edWebinar, Academic Officers from Teacher Created Materials, Nicole Downer and Erica Reardon, explore what it takes to intentionally cultivate a joyful reading culture across elementary classrooms, schools, and families. Viewers discover practical, developmentally appropriate strategies that increase motivation, reduce barriers to access, and create meaningful reading experiences beyond the school day.
In this edWebinar, you learn how to:
- Build inclusive, developmentally appropriate classroom routines that foster reading choice and motivation for elementary readers
- Foster alignment across classrooms, schools, and district initiatives to expand access to engaging texts and multiple pathways to reading success
- Partner with families in meaningful, practical ways to strengthen positive reading habits and extend joyful reading experiences beyond the school day
Designed for elementary classroom teachers, literacy leaders, and district administrators, this edWebinar offers actionable strategies for creating a cohesive reading culture that supports all learners as they move toward deeper, sustained engagement with reading.
About the Presenters
Nicole Downer is an Academic Officer at Teacher Created Materials, where she supports educators through professional learning focused on effective, student-centered instructional practices. She brings extensive leadership experience as a former school principal, assistant principal, literacy intervention specialist/coach, and elementary classroom teacher. Nicole’s areas of expertise include literacy, early childhood education, the Science of Reading, mathematics, differentiation, social-emotional learning, and English language development.
Erica Reardon is an Academic Officer at Teacher Created Materials with over 20 years of experience supporting educators and students in literacy instruction. She is the founder of Inspire Literacy and has spent the past decade partnering with school districts nationwide to strengthen Readers and Writers Workshops, curriculum design, and data-driven instruction across K–8 settings. Trained through Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, Erica is passionate about building sustainable literacy practices that improve student engagement and achievement.
About the Moderator
Jen Jump is a Senior Academic Officer at Teacher Created Materials, where she provides professional development and training on curriculum materials and professional resources. With over 20 years of experience, Jen is a passionate educator dedicated to improving student achievement.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the Build Educator Capacity and Boost Student Achievement community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Teacher Created Materials develops innovative and imaginative educational materials and services for students worldwide. Everything we do is created by teachers for teachers and students to make teaching more effective and learning more fun. Join us on our mission to create a world where children truly want to learn.
