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Lainie Powell of Literacy Strategies Consulting

Jennifer Serravallo's Approved Literacy Specialist

Professional History

As a young child, I always loved to read and write and approached the world with a natural curiosity. My parents teased that I would be a "professional student" for my whole life, and as fate would have it, I sort of am! 


I grew up in Fayette County, Georgia, and attended our state's flagship university. After graduating from the University of Georgia with an undergraduate degree in English Education, I began my teaching career as a high school English teacher in rural Coweta County.

I soon transitioned to a middle school, where I taught Language Arts in Atlanta Public Schools. I served students across a variety of diverse literacy settings, including ESOL classes, collaborative classrooms, and gifted and exceptional classes. While teaching middle-grade learners, I pursued my Master's in Education at Georgia State University in the heart of downtown Atlanta. 

My Passion for Literacy Instruction


Convinced that a focus on early literacy would make the most significant long-term academic impact, I accepted an elementary teaching position at The Lovett School in Atlanta. While I enjoyed working with adolescent learners, I ultimately found my heart in the elementary setting. Consequently, this is where I spent a large part of my teaching career. I developed an enduring passion for literacy instruction in the primary and upper grades, which inspires me to this day. I worked as a fifth-grade classroom teacher, as the school's first curriculum coach, and led a team that wrote literacy curricula for each division, with a focus on vertical alignment. 

Lainie Powell of Literacy Strategies Consulting. Jennifer Serravallo Approved School-Based Literacy Specialist

Yearning for a deeper, more focused study on the teaching of reading and writing, I sought out another post-graduate degree: a doctoral program at Teachers College. I moved to New York City where I, alongside my studies, supported NYC public school teachers as a staff developer.



I spent most of my time in classrooms alongside educators, helping them solve problems of practice as they considered curriculum, methods, socio-cultural contexts, state standards, and the myriad of factors that affect the day-to-day complex decisions teachers must make in the moment. I wholeheartedly believe that supporting teachers, just like supporting students, is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Professional learning happens best when centered on shared decision-making that honors the uniqueness and talent of each school setting.

I also presented at national conferences alongside colleagues like Molly Feeney Wood and Kathy Collins to discuss how play is a powerful, critical part of early literacy learning. Again, always inquisitive, I am studying classrooms and teachers in an effort to forever be in the seat of the learner and bring others into this space. 


Nowadays, I enjoy merging theory and practice as I support teachers and district leaders in skills and strategy-based reading and writing instruction, differentiation, and literacy in the content areas. I work locally in Georgia with teachers from the rest of the US and beyond. Currently, I live in Atlanta with my husband, our three young children, and our fur baby. 


Feedback from Participants


"I loved our time with Lainie because it was based on an approach to reading, she shared methods for different ways to confer, and she didn't just discuss our school curriculum. I felt empowered because she is relatable. Lainie is very knowledgeable about K-2 readers. She has wonderful ideas and spoke directly to the things we are seeing in our classrooms." 


Katie McKeown

First-grade Teacher 

Thayne, Wyoming 


"Lainie Powell has left an indelible mark on the Growing Readers team. Her intentional language and insightful feedback empower teachers, coaches, and specialists to enhance instructional quality. By modeling a learning walk in one of our schools, Lainie has refined and enhanced our practice. Her opening phrase during the learning walk, "admire teaching and learning," now echoes in our conversations with district and school leaders, inspiring a respectful appreciation of the teaching practice." 


Kathy Matthews

Growing Readers Project Manager

Macon, Georgia


"We have truly enjoyed working with Lainie during her time at Catoosa. Her positive energy, flexibility, and knowledge were truly inspiring, and it's been a pleasure collaborating with Lainie. Her dedication to our teachers and students has not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for her positive impact on our learning community." 


Kellie Taylor 

Elementary School Improvement Specialist

Ringgold, Georgia


"Lainie offered ways to scaffold certain writing skills instead of 'overteaching' and this was very helpful, specifically the few times that Lainie modeled a shared writing activity within a small group setting. While watching me teach, Lainie provided great reminders that have made my writing lessons much more engaging for the students." 


Jamie Radicioni

Second-grade Teacher

 Athens, Georgia 


"I really appreciate that Lainie tailors our time to what we currently need with our students. Our students have been able to make a significant amount of growth due to this strategic planning. I can say I genuinely look forward to our time together because I know I will be able to immediately implement whatever skills/resources we cover. Thank you Lainie for being so intentional and pouring so much into our time together!" 


Elisa Trotter

Literacy Coach

Athens, Georgia 

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