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:
Reading teacher endorsement (6 graduate courses)
Masters of Literacy w/ Reading Specialist licensure (k-12) (11 graduate courses plus clinical experience)
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:
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