edWebinars
«Back to all edWebinarsCreating Literacy-Rich Spaces in the Community: Building a Culture of Learning
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
Presented by Dr. Reshma Thadani, General Academic Pediatrician; Jane Park, Senior Content Strategist, Google Kids & Families; and Lisa McManus, Associate Director of US Partnerships and Services, Worldreader
Sponsored by Worldreader
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
With the school year in full swing, many of us in the reading community are primed and ready to support our partners in the classroom with tips, resources, and strategies. But, in addition to the heroic work of educators at schools across the country, we know that what happens once the dismissal bell rings is also essential.
Attend this edWebinar to explore how literacy opportunities can be built into daily activities like a visit to the pediatrician or time at the laundromat. Hear from Dr. Reshma Thadani, pediatrician and advocate for Kinder Ready clinics that promote school readiness, especially for families less connected to early childhood education programs, and Jane Park, Senior Content Strategist with Google Kids & Families and Board Member of the LaundryCares Foundation and Inclusion Matters by Shane’s Inspiration, as they share their extensive insights on transforming everyday spaces into learning-rich environments.
Walk away with ways to partner with community leaders and families to create spaces where literacy development thrives, bridging gaps in access to high-quality books and resources to support a literacy-rich environment. Attendees will leave with access to the BookSmart app, featuring bilingual books and activities to extend learning.
This edWebinar will be of interest to PreK-5 teachers, librarians, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.
About the Presenters
Dr. Reshma Thadani has been practicing pediatrics since 2006 and is a general academic pediatrician. Her main practice is in an outpatient setting taking care of children from immigrant, mainly Spanish-speaking, communities. Dr. Thadani’s advocacy work promotes early literacy in the pediatric medical home while she also promotes various literacy programs in the clinic with the hope of improving school readiness rates in the local community.
Jane Park is a Senior Content Strategist at Google, leading efforts to create enriching online experiences for children and families. She collaborates with product teams and external partners to develop engaging content that supports children’s development while equipping parents and educators with digital safety tools. Previously, she was Director of Too Small to Fail at the Clinton Foundation, spearheading national campaigns to promote early brain and language development. She also served as Associate Director of Content at Sesame Workshop, helping shape Sesame Street’s educational curriculum and creating resources for families facing challenges like military deployment and economic hardship. Jane holds an M.A. in developmental psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a B.A. in communications from UC San Diego. A child of Korean immigrants who learned English watching Sesame Street, she is now a mom of two and a devoted dog parent to Lucy.
Lisa McManus, Associate Director of US Partnerships and Services with Worldreader, brings over two decades of dedicated service to students in a variety of roles. She has proudly served as an educator, mentor, and sports coach. Before joining Worldreader, Lisa was the Education Program Manager at Reading In Motion, building on more than 13 years of experience as an elementary teacher in Michigan, Georgia, and Illinois. Lisa is deeply committed to fostering students’ executive function skills, with expertise in task initiation, time management, and self-regulation. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys leading group fitness classes, spending time with her dog, Judy, and volunteering at animal shelters.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
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Worldreader gets children reading so they can reach their potential. The international nonprofit organization works with partners to get children reading at least 25 books a year with understanding, because regular reading leads to improved educational outcomes, stronger emotional intelligence, and higher earning potential. Worldreader achieves impact with BookSmart, a complete reading experience that improves reading comprehension, social-emotional, and digital literacy skills for children ages 3-12 years old. Since 2010, Worldreader has supported more than 22 million readers in over 100 countries.
