Research-Practice Webinar, September 15 | Building a Culture of Literacy as an Equity Conscious School Leader

Kristen Keane is Assistant Professor of Reading Development in the Early Grades in the Berkeley School of Education. She uses mixed methods approaches to study literacy development and instruction in elementary schools, paying special attention to the ways multimodal and digital literacies—including technological approaches—can enhance engagement, comprehension, and dialogic discussion of varied types of text, with an emphasis on diverse childhoods, including multilingual students and those labeled as disengaged or behind by their institutions. More about Kristen Keane.

Dr. Don Vu has been an elementary school teacher and principal for 25 years. He understands the challenges children face when learning a new language and culture, having fled Vietnam with his family in 1975. He also knows that reading can be transformative and life-changing. He currently serves as a board member for the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program as well as a mentor for Scholastic’s Rising Voices AANHPI and Refugee/Immigrant Collections. His book, Life, Literacy, and the Pursuit of Happiness (Scholastic), is a call to action for all educators who want to build a school culture of reading to empower all students. Don is currently a Director in the School of Education at Sacramento County Office of Education, leading the 21CSLA Placer-Sacramento Regional Academy.

Leslie Zoroya is a Project Director III for Reading/Language Arts in the Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. She provides literacy professional development and technical assistance to the 79 school districts in LA County, in both online and in-person formats. Leslie cohosts the Leading Literacy podcast, focused on sharing the research and best practices from literacy experts in the field, and she recently co-authored the publication, Supporting the African American Learner: A Guide for Transforming Beliefs, Systems and Practices for Black Students, in collaboration with UCLA, Riverside COE and the Center for Powerful Public Schools.

Jabari Mahiri (Professor and Faculty Director, BSE Leadership Programs; Chair, 21CSLA Leadership Board) is the author of  Deconstructing Race: Multicultural Education Beyond the Color-Bind, as well as host of podcast Equity Leadership Now! For more information, see Dr. Mahiri's full bio.