District Actions for Systemwide Literacy Impact

Presented by Laura Mendes, M.Ed., Director of Literacy, Springfield Public Schools (MA); Gabi Bell Jiménez, Ph.D., Deputy Chief Academic Officer, Milwaukee Public Schools (WI); and Maya Valencia Goodall, Chief Impact Officer, CORE Learning

Sponsored by CORE Learning

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This second edWebinar of Structured Language & Literacy Week for Leaders will give district leaders a practical, real-world look at how to move a literacy system from where it stands today toward a clear, shared vision. The panelists have done exactly that and will walk through the concrete steps behind their districts’ progress.

Key topics covered include:

• Assessing the Starting Point: How to take an honest look at where a district’s literacy system currently stands
• Setting a North Star: How to define a clear, shared vision for systemwide literacy impact
• Practical Implementation Steps: The concrete actions districts take to move from vision toward reality
• Measuring Progress: The data and markers districts use to know they are moving in the right direction
• Lessons Learned: The course corrections districts have made along the way, and what they would do differently

By the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to:

• Apply a framework for assessing their own district’s current literacy starting point
• Draft or refine a North Star vision for systemwide literacy impact
• Identify practical, sequenced steps for moving their own district forward
• Select meaningful data points to track progress along the way

Attendees walk away with a roadmap, not just a vision, that they can begin applying in their own district right away. This edWebinar will be of interest to K-12 district leaders, instructional leaders, and school administrators.

This edWebinar is part of Structured Language & Literacy Week for Leaders.

About the Presenters

Laura Mendes is the Director of Literacy in Springfield Public Schools (SPS) in Massachusetts, where early literacy is a priority. Laura has worked in SPS for more than 30 years in various school- and district-based roles. She has a background in teaching and coaching, English as a second language, and reading specialist work. Laura received a Harold Grinspoon Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award in 2008. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Springfield College, a Master of Education in Reading and English as a Second Language from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. She attended elementary school in Springfield Public Schools. Laura returned as an adult and has lived there since. She is proud to say that her children attended and her grandchildren are attending SPS. Laura is committed to improving the reading success of all children.

Dr. Gabi Bell Jiménez brings more than 20 years of experience in education to Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). Her career spans roles as a researcher, bilingual program developer, coach, interventionist, and classroom teacher. She has held various leadership roles, including Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Academic Superintendent of Literacy, and now Deputy Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Bell Jiménez advocates for literacy development as a fundamental human right for students from diverse backgrounds. Her current research focuses on the Science of Reading for adolescent learners in multilingual classrooms.

Maya Valencia Goodall is the Chief Impact Officer of CORE Learning and an education entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in bilingual literacy, language acquisition, and edtech. She co-created CORE’s Online Language & Literacy Academy (OL&LA), advancing a language-centered approach to Structured Literacy that supports Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia. Prior to CORE, Maya co-founded Lingual Learning, later acquired by Rosetta Stone/Lexia, where she led development of the award-winning Lexia English program. She holds master’s degrees in education and applied linguistics and is passionate about honoring students’ diverse language backgrounds.

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For 25+ years, CORE has pioneered evidence-based and research-grounded professional learning experiences and school supports that equip educators with the tools they need to advance rigorous instruction, high-quality materials, and effective assessments. CORE partners with educators to strengthen the foundations of teaching and learning, ensuring all students experience a rigorous, relevant, and inclusive public education.