Hello and welcome to Literacy with Lisa!  I’m so glad that you’re here.

You’re probably wondering who I am and why I started this site.  In my time spent as an educator, I have worked in various roles: 2^nd and 3^rd grade teacher, graduate education adjunct, interim reading specialist and a literacy coach for an urban non-profit.  In the latter role, I had the pleasure of working with dozens of teachers in the Philadelphia area, supporting their instruction, interacting with students and learning from their teaching.  This experience was one that greatly impacted my thoughts and philosophy on literacy instruction and education in general.

I also love reading and writing in the field of education and have contributed to Heinemann’s Digital Campus Library, http://www.heinemann.com/PD/digitallibrary/default.aspx, and also Children’s Literacy Initiative’s online site for teachers, www.cliontheweb.org.  For tips/ideas geared specifically for parents, check out my other blog: Say Goodbye to Summer Slide.

What else?

I’m also a mother to two children (ages 7 and 9).  I love water-skiing, reading, yoga and watching Downton Abbey.  I also love to travel and visited Costa Rica last spring.

So why did I start this site? I created it as a place for teachers and parents to come to find inspiration, to reflect on their own practices and to share ideas related to literacy. Where we can grow and learn together as we support our children to become better readers, writers, thinkers and ultimately, responsible, confident and independent human beings.

Thanks for stopping by.

– Lisa Mazinas