edWebinars
«Back to all edWebinarsWhat Reading Growth Really Looks Like in Grades 6–12: From Standards to Strength
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Presented by Sharon Alonso, Experienced Educator, District Administrator, Hillsborough County Public Schools (FL); and Carisa Barnes, Experienced Educator, Literacy Instructional Coach, San Diego Unified School District (CA)
Sponsored by Zinc Learning Labs
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
In many secondary classrooms, students are asked to demonstrate reading skills without the time or support to build them. This edWebinar explores the growing gap between what standards expect and the reading capacity students actually have, and how that misalignment impacts both comprehension and motivation.
Through classroom stories and real student experiences, we’ll look at where breakdowns happen and how small shifts in instruction make them visible and fixable. We’ll focus on how strengthening everyday reading practices puts the missing floor under standards while rebuilding confidence and engagement. Attendees will leave with a clearer lens on what students need and practical ways to respond within the time they already have.
This edWebinar will be of interest to middle and high school teachers, librarians, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
About the Presenters
Sharon Alonso is a seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience in K–12 education and currently serves as a Coordinator of Accelerated Programs for Hillsborough County Public Schools. In this district-level role, she supports the implementation and expansion of advanced academic programs, working closely with school leaders and instructional teams. Sharon previously served as a K–12 writing supervisor and a district writing coach for middle grades, where she focused on strengthening literacy instruction and student achievement. With more than 15 years of experience as a professional learning writer and facilitator, she has led professional learning in curriculum design and effective pedagogy for educators across the country. Based in Tampa, Florida, Sharon is committed to strengthening instructional practices and creating more opportunities for students to succeed through meaningful, engaging learning experiences.
Carisa Barnes is passionate about working with educators to reimagine and design ways to support student learning. She taught high school English for 17 years before moving into her current role as Literacy Instructional Coach for the San Diego Unified School District. She also consults for several organizations, working with teachers to develop systems and structures that support literacy and standards-aligned instruction. Most recently, Carisa’s work with Zinc Learning Labs, IlluminatEd Collective, the California Reading and Literature Project, and the College Board’s Pre-AP program has provided opportunities to collaborate with teachers across math, science, history, English, PE, and the arts. Carisa believes that all students can grow in the skills and mindset necessary to discover their strengths and abilities for present and future readiness. She is currently living her best life in downtown San Diego and believes that curiosity and wholeheartedness are essential to a rich personal and professional life.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the Teaching Reading and Writing community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Zinc Learning Labs is a science-backed reading skills accelerator for secondary schools that drives transformative reading growth. Zinc offers easy-to-implement, individualized, digital experiences backed by comprehensive reporting, empowering teachers to guide all students to reading success.
