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Supporting Literacy Success as a K-5 Leader
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Carrie Willer, Director of Elementary Education (5K-5), Appleton Area School District (WI); Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, Superintendent, City Schools of Decatur (GA); Shanna Beber, Ed.S., Executive Director of Literacy, Louisiana Department of Education; and Marjorie Bottari, Director of Content Development, Heggerty
Sponsored by Heggerty
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Join us for an engaging edLeader Panel featuring a dynamic discussion on strategies and practices driving literacy success in K-5 classrooms. Moderated by Marjorie Bottari, Director of Content at Heggerty, this panel highlights insights from three distinguished literacy leaders:
- Dr. Carrie Willer, Director of Elementary Education (5K-5) at Appleton Area School District
- Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, Superintendent at City Schools of Decatur
- Shanna Beber, Ed.S., Executive Director of Literacy at the Louisiana Department of Education
The panelists share their approaches to fostering literacy growth within their schools and districts. Topics include effective leadership practices, innovative instructional methods, and the challenges and successes they have experienced.
Whether you are an administrator, literacy coach, or educator, this recorded edLeader Panel offers valuable perspectives and actionable insights to improve K-5 literacy outcomes in your own school communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from leading experts and enhance your understanding of effective literacy strategies.
About the Presenters
Carrie Willer, PhD is the Director of Elementary Education for the Appleton Area School District, the sixth largest public school district in Wisconsin. An experienced educator, middle school assistant principal, elementary principal and district administrator, Carrie has supported student learning for over twenty-six years at the PreK-8 levels. In her district, Carrie leads a variety of instructional teams, to include: the district elementary literacy interventionists, site coaches, district coaches, and district math interventionists and provides curriculum support to over 17 elementary schools in the areas of literacy, math, science, and social studies. She was recognized for her Doctoral work and named the “Outstanding Doctorial Student.” Her dissertation on the Leadership and Managerial Needs of New Principals was selected for publication in Educational Leadership and she has led workshops on family engagement practices, as well as weaving standards through interdisciplinary literacy at conventions in Wisconsin.
Upon assuming her role as superintendent of the City Schools of Decatur on July 1, 2023, Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, embarked on establishing a strong foundation to implement the district’s five-year strategic plan, focusing on ensuring educational equity and success for all students.
Dr. Whitaker’s appointment was influenced by her successful tenure as Deputy Chief Academic Officer and Area Superintendent at Fulton County Schools (FCS). During her time at FCS, she implemented a tiered autonomy system for school leaders, which led to a significant decrease in failing schools from 16 to 2 in just three years. The two remaining schools were on the brink of being removed from state oversight before being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Whitaker directed approximately one-third of FCS’s $262 million pandemic aid toward a structured literacy approach aimed at supporting the district’s academic recovery post-pandemic. The “Every Child Reads” initiative focused on training teachers and administrators in the science of reading methodology, along with the addition of K-2 literacy coaches in all 60 elementary schools. This initiative aimed to provide all students an equal opportunity to maintain grade-level proficiency, regardless of their socioeconomic background. The remarkable success of the initiative in FCS led to Dr. Whitaker being invited to testify before the Georgia House Education Committee, which was considering the statewide adoption of “Every Child Reads.” Her testimony proved instrumental in the state’s legislation, House Bill 538, that session.
Prior to her tenure at FCS, at Atlanta Public Schools, she served as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning as well as Gifted Coordinator. Dr. Whitaker earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The University of Pennsylvania and an Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University. She is the recipient of numerous awards, and serves as a current and former board member for organizations that focus on our future, the children.
Shanna Beber is the Executive Director of Literacy at the Louisiana Department of Education where she leads the literacy team in the development of the state’s comprehensive literacy strategy. Shanna has not only a deep passion for literacy but also for coaching teachers and leaders. This passion has led to the development of the Department’s literacy vision to have improved student literacy outcomes through high-quality instruction and interactions by an effective teacher supported by leaders and families. She prides herself on the progress Louisiana has made in such a short amount of time and is honored to lead the state’s literacy improvement work as they strive to provide every child with what they need to become a skilled reader.
Marjorie Bottari is the Director of Content Development at Heggerty and an adjunct professor at DePaul University. An experienced teacher, reading specialist, reading coach, and elementary administrator, Marjorie has worked with a variety of grade levels from Pre-K-8. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Elmhurst College, a master’s degree as a reading specialist from DePaul University, and a master’s in educational leadership and administration from Benedictine University. Marjorie joined Heggerty in 2018 and is the co-author of Bridge the Gap 2025; Bridge to Reading, Grade 3; and the Early Pre-Kindergarten curriculum.
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The Heggerty Collection is your comprehensive solution for literacy education, designed to empower educators and engage students. Our suite includes Heggerty Phonemic Awareness, Bridge to Reading, and Bridge to Writing, each crafted to seamlessly integrate into your curriculum. The Heggerty Collection strengthens foundational reading and writing skills with engaging, research-based lessons, teacher professional development, and digital resources that make learning fun and effective. Together, these tools create a cohesive, approachable ecosystem that supports educators and inspires students on their literacy journey. Choose Heggerty and watch your students’ confidence and abilities soar.