Literacy Strategies Consulting Logo

Jaclyn Sharoni of Literacy Strategies Consulting

Jennifer Serravallo's Approved Literacy Specialist

Professional History

When I was in first grade, I would line up my extensive doll collection in rows and begin teaching them everything I learned in school. My passion for teaching grew as I got older, leading me to graduate from the Inclusive Elementary and Special Education program at Syracuse University with a license to teach both Special Education and Elementary Education.


I then continued my studies at Teachers College, Columbia University, earning a Master’s in Literacy. As an avid reader, I have always been committed to nurturing the same love of reading in children.

Teaching


My teaching journey began at PS 158 in Manhattan, where I taught in an inclusive classroom and then in a general education setting. During this time, I had the privilege of participating in professional learning sessions led by Jennifer Serravallo, which greatly influenced my teaching practices. 


My classroom was frequently used as a lab site, welcoming educators from across the city to observe effective literacy teaching practices. I mentored several students obtaining their own Master’s degree in Literacy as they interned with me. The charts and student work from my classroom are featured in Serravallo’s The Reading Strategies Book and Understanding Texts and Readers. 


I continued my teaching career at one of the top elementary schools in Long Island and committed to my own professional learning by becoming a lead teacher. This role led me to participate in workshops focused on enhancing reading and writing instruction. I shared these insights with my grade-level colleagues, supporting a collaborative learning environment and reinforcing my own understanding of new teaching methods. These workshops inspired me to implement student-directed learning initiatives in literacy, which later evolved into a school-wide goal. During my tenure at this school, I also obtained my certification in Gifted Education, demonstrating my ability to effectively support diverse learners.

picture of Jaclyn Sharoni of Literacy Strategies Consulting

Coaching


Collaborating with instructional coaches gave me valuable guidance, motivation, and practice tools to continually refine my teaching strategies. I discovered a passion for discussing pedagogy and literacy with fellow educators, prompting me to pursue an advanced certificate in Educational Leadership.


This program further developed my leadership capabilities and equipped me with the credentials to serve as both a School Building Leader and a School District Leader. 

Transitioning from the classroom to supporting teachers in a coaching role was a natural next step for me. I thrive on continuous learning alongside fellow educators while still having the opportunity to work directly with students. Returning to work with Jennifer Serravallo feels like coming full circle, given the profound impact her coaching had on my career in education.


As a literacy specialist, I am dedicated to offering practical and realistic support to teaching, drawing extensively on my classroom experience. My approach is to meet teachers where they are, much like I encourage them to meet their students at their current levels and to capitalize on each educator’s strengths. I recognize the fluid nature of our work and remain flexible to adapt to the evolving needs of the group. 


In my recent experience with one district, the Literacy Coach observed significant progress among teachers during our work together. For instance, teachers who had previously never conducted small group sessions began incorporating them more regularly. Prior to our collaboration, teachers noted that students were apprehensive about individual or small group meetings. 


By the end of our first year together, 100% of teachers who responded to a survey given reported that students were enthusiastic about meeting with them. Additionally, 60% of teachers surveyed reported that their students were able to articulate their reading goals, reflecting the effectiveness of the strategies we implemented. These approaches equipped teachers with the skills needed to build strong relationships with students and support them in achieving their individualized learning objectives. 

Jennifer Serravallo's Approved School-Based Literacy Specialist at a teaching workshop

Feedback from Participating Teachers


"I loved working with Jaclyn Sharoni throughout the school year. She played a crucial role in enhancing our culture of learning by helping re-organize my classroom library by topics. This allowed students to broaden their book choices and empowered them to develop their own categories to sort books. Every time Jaclyn visited, she tailored her support to meet the needs of my classroom and teaching methods. Together, we created units of study and on-demand assessments using Serravallo's books. This positive shift has helped with planning, goal setting, and meeting the individual needs of my students."


Jessica Katsoulakis

Classroom Teacher

Baldwin UFSD

Baldwin, NY


"She was clear, engaging, and knowledgeable."


Jennifer F.

Freeport, New York


"She made what we were learning relatable to our own lives so we could understand it better."


Dawn D.

Freeport, New York


"Jaclyn was extremely flexible and was able to adjust to our needs."


Jennifer F.

Baldwin, New York


"Jaclyn was a great mentor. She knew the material well and was able to translate it in an easy-to-understand way. She was approachable and easy to talk to."


Jean P.

Cold Spring Harbor, New York


"Jaclyn is fantastic! She is good with the kids when she models, has clear goals, and conveys her goals concisely."


Katelyn

Freeport, New York


"Jaclyn has so much knowledge on how to teach reading strategies effectively. Her directions/guidance are clear and gives us the confidence to implement all the practices with our students."


Lori C.

Freeport, New York

Share by: