Educator Literacy Initiative

Empowering District 65 educators to excel at literacy instruction for our students

Building capacity for improved literary instruction

“According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, only 37 percent of elementary and special education programs appear to be teaching scientifically based reading methods to preservice teachers.”    

Madeline Will , EdWeek, 2018

By providing cohort based tuition assistance, we are able to increase the number of District 65 teachers who are endorsed reading teachers and reading specialists. This program aspires to explicitly teach educators the science of reading while building expertise across the District in cohorts of educators committed to increasing the achievement of students of color.

The program

In the fall of 2020, Foundation 65 and District 65 joined the ETHS / NEIU partnership to offer a Literacy Education Graduate Program Cohort offering two different strands:

Courses are held at NEIU, ETHS, or in remote settings depending on size and COVID conditions

Foundation 65 commits to paying 50% of NEIU tuition for educators accepted into each cohort. Currently up to 10 educators are accepted into each cohort.

How to join us

To learn more about joining our Educator Literacy program for 23-24:

  • Check out this program overview.

  • Review this power point presentation

In order to participate:

  • Apply to Foundation 65’s tuition support program here by June 15

  • Apply to NEIU’s program here by July 1

Participants in Foundation 65’s program will be chosen based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment and effectiveness in serving students of color

  • Financial need

  • Willingness to work within District 65 for at least three more years

  • Be a currently licensed teacher employed within District 65

We are especially committed to supporting educators of color who may have barriers in obtaining a masters in literacy or reading endorsement certificate.

Questions? Please contact Alecia Wartowski at alecia.wartowski@foundation65.org.

Educator Literacy Current Students and Alumni

 

2020-2021 Cohort

Jenevieve Arceneaux, MA, 3rd grade, Walker

Khole Battle, MA, 3rd grade, Willard

Charlise Berkel, MA, Instructional Coach, Oakton

Dana Burris, Endorsement, Kindergarten, King Arts

Melissa Drennan, Endorsement, 2nd grade, King Arts

Rosa Felix, Endorsement, 3rd grade, Oakton

Lisa Harries, Endorsement, Instructional Coach, Kingsley

Claire Lawrence, MA, Kindergarten, King Arts

Jenica Mullins, MA, 3rd grade, Lincoln

Elida Patino, Endorsement, Kindergarten, Bessie Rhodes

Jennifer Tertulien, MA, 3rd grade, Lincolnwood

Mayra Velazquez, Endorsement, Kindergarten, Oakton

2022-2023 Cohort

Shannon Dickinson - 6th grade LA, Chute


Daisha Fox - 7th grade LA, Chute 


Heather Jean - special ed, Kingsley 


Michelle Kelly - special ed, Walker 


Mary Lange - 8th grade LA, Chute 


Elle Light -special ed, Nichols 


Anaisabel Lopez - 1st grade TWI, Willard 


Robert O’Connor - 7th grade social studies, Nichols 


Cecelia Romero - 6th-8th bilingual special ed, Haven

2021-2022 Cohort

Jamie Bates, MA, 2nd grade, Lincoln

Derrick Carlson, Endorsement, 2nd grade, Lincoln

Elizabeth Galliani, Endorsement, ESL K-2, Dawes

Bevitt Gibney, MA, 1st grade, Lincoln

Eve Morrissey, Endorsement, 5th grade, Lincoln

Kala Niedemeier, MA, 6-8 science, Bessie Rhodes

Sara (Pilar) Ramos, MA, Kindergarten, King Arts