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Who I am:  Mother of three; passionate about community literacy; lover of water; early literacy coach

What I do:  My primary professional role is coaching local coaches and teachers based on the Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy, K-3.

Why I am here: I've long lived in the world of all things literacy. From teaching Kindergarten to becoming trained in many things literacy, my vision for community literacy projects runs deep within my soul. For the past seven years, I've been a part of this statewide literacy coaching initiative, and I champion the work and research any chance I get. Julia Lindsey's work is highly regarded by my favorite literacy guru, Nell Duke.

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ISD Literacy Coach Iosco RESA .  I support two districts as they implement best practices in literacy.  I am here to continue to learn about literacy!

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Who Am I: I am a First Grade teacher in North Branch, Michigan

What I Do: I teach First Graders

What Has Brought Me Here? The opportunity to attend another PD with Chad, Meghan, and Troy!

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Who I am: I’m currently living in Ann Arbor, MI!

What I do: I’m currently teaching Young 5’s in Ypsilanti Community Schools.  It is my sixth year teaching. In past years, I have taught GSRP Preschool.

What has brought me here: CMU Alumni, daughter of Kathy Blahunka. Thank you everyone for supporting my mother!

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Who I am: A school based early literacy coach in Muskegon Co.

What I do:  Support teachers in implementing the Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy.

What has brought me to the PD book club:  I have heard great things about this book and love to keep up on latest research and best practices.

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I am an Early Literacy Coach at North Branch Elementary.

What I do. I support teachers with literacy practices.

What has brought me here-
I want to share all this great information with my teachers.

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Who I am: a second-grade teacher in Grand Ledge
What I do: I teach 2nd grade students.
Why I am here: I am doing the LETRS training and I want to learn more about the Science of Reading.

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Who I am: I am the Early Literacy Coach and Coaching Coordinator at Manistee ISD.

What I do? I support the 5 school districts in Manistee County in all things literacy. My main focus is on K-3 but I also support teachers in grades 4-5.

What brought me here? I am really excited to dig into this book and collaborate with the CMU professionals and other educators across the state.

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Who I am: Early literacy coach @ St. Joseph County ISD

What I do:
* Support & motivate teachers and students
* Share knowledge & reading passion
* Balance work, mom & wife roles

What has brought me here:
* Expand my knowledge & skill set to share with others!

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Who I am: I am a Mom of 2 (and a stepmom of 4...yes, that is a total of 6 kids!)
I opened & built Little Midland (indoor play area for kids). I used to own a gym before renewing my teaching degree that I achieved from UofM in 2006.

What I do: I teach Social Emotional Learning as a specials class for the 3 elementary schools in my district.

What has brought me here: I have not taught literacy yet and would love more knowledge about it.

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Who I am...Kelli Mathers, K-5 Lead Title Teacher and District Title Coordinator, Literacy Coach and Building Testing Coordinator at Breckenridge Elementary School.

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Who I am...Kelli Mathers, K-5 Lead Title Teacher and District Title Coordinator, Literacy Coach and Building Testing Coordinator at Breckenridge Elementary School.

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What I do...I coordinate and teach 6 MTSS groups for myself K-5, and oversee groups for my partner teacher and 4 paraprofessionals. I am responsible for MDE Title reporting, program evaluation etc. As well, responsible for all coordination of testing and gathering of data. I am also the Literacy coach in the bldg.

What brought me....continued desire to learn, grow and share for the benefit of all our learners.

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Who I am: I'm a faculty member of Teacher and Special Education at CMU.

What I do: I teach courses about early literacy to undergraduates and graduate students. In addition, I support elementary teachers around the state with writing instruction.

What has brought me here: I love spending time interacting with and learning from teachers to improve instruction for young learners.

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Who I am: elementary teacher, mom, & coach
What I do: currently homeschooling my boys.
What has brought me: To help struggling reading be successful

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Who am I: second year early literacy coach

What I do: support and empower teachers to be reflective practioners, analyze student data, and share explicit, evidence-based routines and practices

Why I am here: I am here to learn and grow and share this information with my teacher colleagues.

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I am a title teacher at an upper elementary school in the middle of the mitten.  I work in my hometown of St. Louis.

I'm currently in LETRS training and am enjoying every minute of it. I wanted to be part of this PD because I feel like I can never learn enough about reading and how to help our students.

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Who am I: Literacy Specialist, title I teacher at Allegan Public Schools

What I do: I wear lots of hats from data to interventionist.

Why I am here. I love to keep up on current research and best practices. I have been wanting to read this book -so why not join a book club about it!

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Who am I?  Anne Hosking. I am an Early Literacy Consultant at Calhoun ISD

What do I do?  I learn and work with teachers to support student achievement.

Why am I here? I love to learn and I am always looking for ways to support the teachers and students that I work with.  Adding tools to my tool box.

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What I do: I currently teach Reading and Math intervention at Wacousta Elementary School in Grand Ledge.

Why I am here:  I am currently taking the LETRS training, and I am interested in all things SOR.  I saw this book being promoted, and knew I wanted to read it.  Then I saw this book club opportunity, and was excited to join in on this professional development!

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Who I am: Amy Kennedy, CMU Alum, Mom of 2

What I do:K-6 Literacy Coach. I taught K for 5 years, Title I Intervention for 2, and 7 years in 1st grade.

Why This Book Club: I just bought the book a week before I heard about the book club. I love learning ways to help students with reading.

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Who I am: Early Literacy Coach with the Muskegon Area ISD
What I do: facilitate thinking, encourage teachers and students, collaborate with colleagues, learn, learn, learn...
What has brought me here: This book has been on my "to read" list. I needed the nudge to get me to start reading! I am looking forward to the collaboration from this group as well.

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Teaching from home - my “classroom” office is in the basement!

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Who I am: a junior kindergarten teacher at an online school in Michigan.

What I do: teach 100% virtually! Jr K is preparing kids who may have no school experience for kindergarten the following year.

What brought me here: just wanting to learn more about literacy to become a better teacher - hoping to find more tools and resources to help teach kiddos virtually.

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Who I am: Title I reading teacher-working with 2nd and 3rd graders
What I do: Help my students learn to read!
What brought me here: I had heard about this book and was very interested in reading it. I love accountability, so I appreciate the book club format. I want to help my fellow teachers learn about simple switches to make in literacy instruction to bring it more in line with brain research.

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Who I am: teacher at North Branch Elementary

What I do: I teach ELA on a 3rd/4th looping team.
Why I am here: I have heard about this book already this summer and it was on my reading list. Then this book club was recommended by a colleague!

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I am Gigi Murray

What do you do?
I am a reading specialist and Literacy coach at a title one elementary school.

What brought me here?
I service tier 3 students and have always had a passion for literacy. I believe in the foundation of phonemic awareness and phonics and am learning more and more about SOR. Our district is starting to make the shift that way and I would like to help facilitate that.

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Who I am: I am a twenty-something wife and new homeowner trying to master my craft and be the teacher every parent hopes their kid gets.

What I do: I teach first grade in Bullock Creek. I am a 2020 SVSU grad (Go Cards).

Why I’m in this PD: My motto is: if it’s free, it’s for me! I am a serial PD participant as a new teacher because I miss school but can’t go back for my masters yet🤪

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Brynna Fisher
Academic Intervention k-4 with Holt Public Schools

Moved from upper grades and math back to elementary. This year working primarily with students in k-1 for reading intervention. Interested in engaging strategies to use with early learners and developing readers.

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Who I am: Early Literacy Instructional Coach at St. Joseph County ISD.
What I do: Providing literacy coaching to specifically to K-3 teachers but also other teachers and instructors within the school system.
What has brought me here: Have heard a lot about this book and am excited to read and discuss it.

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Who I am: first grade teacher at a charter school in Grand Blanc
What I do: work with many struggling readers
Why I am here: I am in the first year of LETRS training and am looking for ways to make myself a better teacher.

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Who I am:  An ISD Early Literacy Coach in Barry County.

What I do:  I coach 2nd and 3rd grade teachers in Barry County around the Literacy Essentials.

What has brought me here: This book has been recommended by our coaching network and I love keeping up with current research. I'm most interested in the "instructional swaps" that Julia offers.

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Heidi Turchan                                                             Who I am:  Early Literacy Coach for Calhoun ISD by day; LETRS facilitator by night and weekends. 

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Heidi Turchan                                                             Who I am:  Early Literacy Coach for Calhoun ISD by day; LETRS facilitator by night and weekends. 

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What I do: help K-2 teachers understand and integrate MI Literacy Essentials and LETRS learning into their instruction.

Why this book club:  I love learning and sharpening my skills.

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Pat Mayne-K-3 Early Lit coach always seeking knowledge to share with my teachers and support our students

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Who I am: a K-3 Literacy Specialist for a small ISD in Northern MI
What I do:  I provide literacy support to district coaches and/or teachers.
Why am I here: I love to learn and foundational skills an area of need for those that I service.

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Who am I: An ISD Early Literacy Coach that is trying to keep up with the most current research.

What I do: I love to read and connect with other coaches from local schools.

What has brought me here: I had this book in my Amazon cart and thought this was a great opportunity to learn with others!

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Who I am- Associate Professor of Teacher and Special Education- Literacy Center Director

What I do- work with family and community literacy initiatives (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library); teachers on literacy practices and policies

What has brought me here- I want to have learning opportunities with educators in our state around literacy. And someone else gets to put our toddler to bed :).

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I am a first grade teacher at Central Elementary in Vassar....
I am a mom and a teacher

I need to update my skill set as I've been out of early lit for a few (8+) years

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I'm Laurie Taylor, a 4th grade teacher in Vassar.

My professional goal is to be a literacy or math coach. I want as much early childhood literacy exposure as possible. I also want to be able to help our kiddos that are way behind due to limited in person reading exposure.

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Who I am: Katie Grim, resource room teacher for Lapeer Community Schools
What I do: provide tier 3 support academically and behavior support
Why I am here: to strengthen my teaching reading skills

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-Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach at North Branch Elementary School in North Branch
-I am doing reading interventions with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. I also work specifically with 4th grade teachers
-I chose to do this PD because it’s my first year in this position (previously 7th/8th ELA teacher) and a colleague recommended it.

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Who I am: An early literacy coach at Muskegon Area ISD.

What I do: Learn and work alongside teachers practicing Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy.

What has brought me to this PD Book Club: Having learned from Dr. Nell Duke and Dr. Julia Lindsey, I am beyond excited to learn and share with teachers!

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Who I am: a first-grade teacher at a small private school in my hometown.

What I do: herd cats! 😆 Kidding, of course...but goodness that's what it feels like!

What has brought me here: I finished my Masters in literacy this summer yet really still don't feel like I know what I'm doing. As a first-grade teacher, I believe I ought to be confident in teaching reading, but I'm in my 5th year and still feel like I'm floundering.

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Professional photograph of Troy Hicks (courtesy of Sara Beauchamp-Hicks)

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Who I am: A professor of English and education at Central Michigan University

What I do: Collaborate with pre-service and in-service teachers to better prepare K-12 students as readers, writers, and thinkers

What has brought me to the PD book club: Chad and Meghan made me do it. 😊 In all honesty though, I would like to learn more about early literacy and the teaching of reading. Since my areas of expertise are in secondary school and writing, this will be a good opportunity for me to become familiar with best practices in reading instruction.

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Troy Hicks Portrait 1 - Low Res (December 2018) Square