Clarisa Leal of Literacy Strategies Consulting

Jennifer Serravallo's Approved Bilingual Literacy Specialist

Professional History

I am a Literacy Specialist based in Florida and one of the Spanish-English bilingual members of Jennifer Serravallo's Team.

I believe in and support teaching that is intentional and thoughtfully designed to address each student's strengths and needs. I advocate for learning that provides the "just right" amount of support, empowering students to be active agents in their own learning.

As a Literacy Specialist, I am dedicated to supporting teachers as they design culturally responsive lessons that acknowledge and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of all students. By valuing and respecting their cultures, we create an environment where every student feels a sense of belonging.

I am also committed to actively collaborating with and supporting fellow educators in their journey to enhance their instructional practices. This includes offering professional development opportunities, sharing resources, and providing personalized guidance. Through collaboration and shared commitment, I foster an inclusive learning environment where both students and educators can thrive.

Teaching

After earning my bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, I began teaching first grade in a bilingual school in Nicaragua. In that vibrant classroom, I witnessed the magic of literacy unfold as my students grasped foundational skills and developed a genuine love for reading and writing.

This experience ignited my passion for literacy education and set me on a path dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of learning in young minds. A few years later, I became a literacy coach and worked with teachers to optimize learning opportunities for their bilingual students.

After several years in Nicaragua, I moved to New York City, where I taught Spanish as a second language. In this dynamic and diverse environment, I worked with students from various cultural backgrounds, enriching my understanding of language acquisition and multicultural education. Teaching in New York City fueled my passion for literacy and bilingual education, as I saw firsthand the importance of language support in students' personal and academic lives.

Later, I relocated to Florida, where I now work as a Literacy Specialist in a local school. In this role, I focus on supporting students' literacy development across grade levels, implementing evidence-based strategies, and collaborating with teachers to improve instructional practices.

Supporting and Coaching

Early in my education career, I realized the transformative power of collaboration. I saw how working together creates collective thinking and how learning from the diverse expertise of fellow educators strengthens instructional practice. I actively support this collaboration, constantly encouraging an environment where ideas are shared and explored. This not only broadens our perspectives but also strengthens our instructional practices.

Driven by my passion for collaboration and professional development, I sought opportunities to make a broader impact. This journey led me to join the book review team for the Spanish transadaptations of Jennifer Serravallo's The Reading Strategies Book and The Writing Strategies Book. Since then, I have been part of Jen's Literacy Strategies team, supporting literacy educators nationwide and contributing to the growth of best teaching practices.

Feedback from Participants

"Clarisa demonstrated strong insight into how to launch and continue to support and promote strong comprehension skills, as well as help guide students in their engagement with reading."

Elizabeth Becker

Instructional Coach

Council Bluffs Schools

Council Bluffs, IA

"Clarisa really brought to light the need for students to be engaged and motivated - she gave helpful examples of how to help facilitate and guide students toward this."

Julie Danker

Instructional Coach

Council Bluffs Community District

Iowa

"Clarisa was specific and purposeful in helping understand how to address and identify students' needs using goals."

Jose Diaz

Student Support Interventionist

Arlington Independent School District

Arlington, TX

"Mrs. Leal gave specific examples of how the implementation of the Estrategias de Escritura and Lectura can be utilized in the classroom."

Elena Ortiz

Arlington, TX ISD

Literacy Strategies for Texas, New York and New Jersey

Solution Web Designs