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Lea Leibowitz of Literacy Strategies Consulting

Client Program Coordinator 

Professional History

Professional History


I'm a realist with a steadfast passion for supporting educators in implementing best practices so that, together, we can help children accelerate and achieve. I'm also a lifelong learner and a proud member of Jennifer Serravallo's team, serving as a Professional Learning Specialist.


I strive to understand your professional learning needs as well as the culture and logistics of your district and/or school. Using your data, I customize practical professional learning plans that will impact educators' understanding and practices, ultimately accelerating student achievement.

Teaching


Upon graduating summa cum laude from SUNY Cortland with a degree in childhood education, I moved from New York to Florida, where I first taught fourth grade at a public school in Palm Beach County, earning the Rookie of the Year award. I then transitioned to a private school while pursuing a Master's degree in Education at Nova Southeastern University. At that private school, I was afforded a plethora of opportunities to attend conferences and institutes to further my education and passion for teaching. Moreover, Georgia Heard, a parent at the school, graciously served as my mentor. She taught me the true meaning of education and how to be an educator of the whole child, for the whole child. Thanks to her mentorship, my classroom became a lab site and visitation hub for literacy instruction.


I found myself supporting colleagues before, during, and after the school day and realized how many lives I was impacting and how my work transformed the entire Lower School. The school transitioned from a novel-study approach to the comprehensive model I supported them with, and the student data showed immediate and dramatic improvement. Teachers felt more effective, confident, and empowered. Parents noticed significant changes in how their children identified as readers and writers. I was eventually asked to step into the role of literacy coach, focusing on teaching teachers. This was my first official experience of being a "teacher's teacher," and I knew it was the right next step for me.


I successfully supported colleagues with a range of backgrounds and teaching experiences, helped establish reading and writing workshop classrooms, strengthened teachers' knowledge of balanced literacy instruction, collaborated on curriculum for grades K-6, and assisted teachers in implementing best practices for explicit instruction. I was inspired by them, and they were inspired by me. I knew I was destined to support an even larger audience of educators and was determined to make a difference far and wide. 

Lea Leibowitz of Literacy Strategies Consulting, Client Program Coordinator

Supporting and Coaching


As time went on, I wanted to be back in New York with my family. My mentor, Heard, told me that my work shouldn't live in any one classroom or school, and she suggested I join a team of literacy specialists to consult and coach in schools across New York City. It was here that I was fortunate enough to meet Jennifer Serravallo.


I couldn't help but learn from her masterful teaching and coaching. Any chance I had, I would shadow her at schools, filling pages and pages with notes.

Every school visit and conversation with Jen left me feeling more knowledgeable and confident, thanks to her practicality and clarity. The learning I've done from my college days until now has more than prepared me to be the best support for you today.


It's an honor and pleasure to work with Jen and this incredible team of literacy specialist experts. I use my extensive background and knowledge to counsel literacy leaders like yourself who are interested in learning more about the professional learning opportunities that Literacy Strategies Consulting has to offer. I look forward to helping you provide the educators you work with an opportunity to improve their practices so that, together, we can help ALL children accelerate their achievements!


As time went on, I wanted to be back in New York with my family. My mentor, Heard, told me that my work shouldn't live in any one classroom or school, and she suggested I join a team of literacy specialists to consult and coach in schools across New York City. It was here that I was fortunate enough to meet Jennifer Serravallo. I couldn't help but learn from her masterful teaching and coaching. Any chance I had, I would shadow her at schools, filling pages and pages with notes. Every school visit and conversation with Jen left me feeling more knowledgeable and confident, thanks to her practicality and clarity. The learning I've done from my college days until now has more than prepared me to be the best support for you today.


It's an honor and pleasure to work with Jen and this incredible team of literacy specialist experts. I use my extensive background and knowledge to counsel literacy leaders like yourself who are interested in learning more about the professional learning opportunities that Literacy Strategies Consulting has to offer. I look forward to helping you provide the educators you work with an opportunity to improve their practices so that, together, we can help ALL children accelerate their achievements!

Feedback from Literacy Leaders


Lea has been responsive and flexible. She is patient and supportive while trying to make the scheduling and contracting work. She is easy to work with and understands required district protocols.


Charles Seipp

Assistant Superintendent

Roxbury Public Schools

Succasunna, NJ

 

Lea was a pleasure to work with. She made it easy to plan and organize our event with Dr. Kerbs.


Jenifer Jones

2-5 ELAR/SS Coordinator

Cypress Fairbanks ISD

Cypress, TX

 

Lea is very professional and has always ensured that the important elements are in place so we can proceed forward.


Christine Baez

Principal

NYC Department of Education, NY


Lea was very helpful in initiating the contract that would best fit the needs of our school.


Elisa Beth Trotter

Instructional Coach

Clarke County, GA


Lea has been very informative, flexible, and attentive to all our needs and questions. She has made every effort to help the building Administration by putting together quality and informed PD for staff.


Vanessa Proietto

Vice Principal

New Brunswick, NJ


The whole process was easy, and Lea helped us plan our professional learning with Gina.


Trisha Lancaster

Executive Director

Charter School, San Bernardino, CA

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