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Macie Kerbs of Literacy Strategies Consulting

Jennifer Serravallo's Approved Literacy Specialist

Professional History

I began my teaching career as a fourth-grade ELA teacher at a small school in Fort Worth, TX. The campus was only a few years old and had just added fourth grade the year I was hired. When I joined, the building was under construction, and it was completed only the day before students returned. I started the year without a curriculum, with construction dust still settling and only a few mismatched pieces of furniture.


Together, with the help of my students, we built a library as the focal point of the classroom to distract from the emptiness. This bare-bones launch to my teaching career captures what I genuinely believe matters for literacy teaching: lots of great books, a community of learners, and a responsive teacher. 

Upon the conclusion of my first year of teaching, I was honored to receive the “Rising Star of the Year” award for both my campus and district. This accolade is given to a first-year educator who demonstrates the qualities of a future Teacher of the Year candidate. 


I have also worked as a reading interventionist, providing targeted support for K-5 students who needed additional help cracking the code of reading and organizing a system of tiered, responsive intervention across the campus. Through this work, I decided to pursue my PhD in Reading, as I realized there was still so much I had yet to learn about teaching readers.

 

In addition to teaching in public school, I have made significant contributions to higher education, designing and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy teacher education.

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Coaching and Leading Experience

 

Working under the guidance of experienced literacy coaches and strong leadership profoundly inspired me to pursue leadership roles within education. These mentors demonstrated the impact of effective coaching and strategic leadership on both teacher development and student outcomes. Observing their practices, I developed a deep appreciation for collaboration, evidence-based instruction, and the power of fostering a supportive learning environment. These experiences equipped me with the skills and confidence to step into a literacy coach position, where I worked to inspire and support other educators, driving meaningful improvements in literacy instruction and student achievement.

I have served as both a campus and district literacy coach, supporting the implementation of effective literacy instruction and enhancing the overall literacy environment in schools. These roles taught me the invaluable lesson that building a strong community and involving all stakeholders are crucial to students' literacy success. I have learned to create a supportive network that extends beyond the classroom by cultivating collaborative relationships with parents, teachers, and administrators. Engaging families in their children’s literacy journey bridges the gap between home and school, ensuring that students receive consistent encouragement and reinforcement. This approach not only positively impacts student learning but also empowers families to become active participants in their children's education, creating a sense of belonging and shared responsibility within the school community.

 

During my time in higher education, I took on various leadership roles that enriched my professional journey and contributed to the academic community. As a department coordinator, I oversaw the elementary literacy education program, ensuring curriculum alignment and program effectiveness. Mentoring students and new faculty was also central to my role, as I provided guidance, support, and professional learning experiences to help them succeed in their academic and teaching endeavors. These experiences allowed me to bring together a collaborative and nurturing environment, promoting growth and excellence within the department.

 

Now as a literacy specialist on Jennifer Serravallo’s team, I continuously draw inspiration from the leaders I encounter, using their insights to refine and expand my leadership skills. Every professional development session and collaborative project presents new opportunities for growth and learning. I remain committed to staying current with the latest research and best practices in literacy education, always seeking to enhance my ability to support and empower educators. By embracing a mindset of continuous improvement and actively seeking feedback, I strive to model the same dedication to lifelong learning that I encourage in others, ensuring that my leadership evolves to meet the dynamic needs of the educational landscape.

Professional Background

 

As a dedicated and passionate educator with extensive experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and literacy coach, I support literacy educators as a member of Jennifer Serravallo’s consulting team.

 

Growing up in a military family, I was exposed to diverse educational systems across various regions and countries, providing me with a unique global perspective on schooling. These experiences taught me the importance of adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity in education. They influenced my approach as an educator by emphasizing the need for differentiated instruction that caters to students' diverse backgrounds. Additionally, my upbringing instilled in me the values of resilience and flexibility, which form the foundation of my teaching philosophy.

 

I advocate for research-based practices, believing they should inform our educational methods and drive future research questions. I work to translate theory into practice, ensuring that the latest research benefits teachers and their students.

 

I champion teachers, striving to elevate educators' voices and highlight the incredible work happening in classrooms across the United States. 

 

I believe in fostering authentic, meaningful, and engaging learning experiences for teachers and their students, aiming to build community, create sustainable change, and develop transferable skills.

 

I also believe in cultivating learning opportunities that embrace and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, recognizing that each teacher and each student brings their own strengths and perspectives to the classroom.

 

Lastly, I advocate for representative, inclusive, and identity-affirming books. These resources help students see themselves and others in the literature they read, cultivating a sense of belonging and understanding.

Degrees and Certifications

 

I hold a Ph.D. in Reading Education from Texas Woman's University, an M.Ed. in Language and Literacy, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina. I am a certified teacher in Texas with the following active certifications:


  • Texas Reading Specialist, Grades EC-12
  • Texas Classroom Teacher, Grades EC-6
  • Texas Gifted and Talented Supplemental, Grades EC-12
  • Texas English as a Second Language Supplemental, Grades EC-12

Feedback From Participating Teachers

 

Teachers frequently share their positive feedback, noting that my guidance has empowered them to implement innovative and effective literacy practices in their classrooms.

 

Dr. Macie Kerbs was outstanding and extremely engaging! She took our teachers on a reflective journey to tap into their joy of teaching reading. They affirmed one another and collaborated on ways they could better improve their grade level instruction in reading across their day.


Jenifer Jones

2-5 ELAR/SS Coordinator

Cypress Fairbanks ISD

Cypress, TX


I have really cherished what Macie has told us and shown us. My lessons are much more direct and to the point. I have implemented many of the reading strategies she has shown us and from the book. I honestly have improved my delivery, instruction, lesson planning, and more because of Macie!


Jennifer Squires

Reading Teacher

Fassett Elementary

Elmira Schools, Elmira, NY


She is phenomenal, very helpful, and flexible. Our team wanted more assistance on writing versus reading and she had no problem switching gears for us.


Tayler Rose

2nd Grade Teacher

Arrowpoint Elementary

Hazelwood Schools

St Louis, MO


Partnering with the Jennifer Serravallo’s literacy specialist team was a remarkable experience. Dr. Macie Kerbs is extremely knowledgeable in her craft. During our collaboration we were able to build teacher efficacy that translated into student growth and effective teacher collaboration.


Porshia Anderson

ELA Instructional Coach

Bozman Intermediate

Conroe ISD, Conroe, TX


Macie helped us plan reading and writing in a new way/view I had not been able to explore before. I have loved getting to learn about different ways to pull groups, work with kids and connect with readers also. We learned many tools to implement in reading aloud, small groups, and mini lessons.


Gabby S.

Teacher

Lamar Elementary

Conroe ISD, Conroe, TX


We couldn’t have done the work with mission and vision without Macie’s guidance. Everyone should have a Dr. Macie in their lives! As a new Instructional Coach, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with how to navigate this role. The sessions have provided multiple tangible coaching moves, and I’m feeling much better (& excited) about how to “do” my new job.


Heather Randell

Lyons Central School District

Lyons, NY


Macie was great! Loved her energy to present the material and make it relevant. She definitely brought joy into this workshop and gave us the know-how of how to take this book directly into the classroom with our students.


Cindy Tamez

Cypress Fairbanks ISD, TX


Macie showed us practical and realistic ways to use the strategies that can be integrated into our daily instruction.


Rachael Alfaro

Cypress Fairbanks ISD, TX

Research and Publications


As a consultant for Literacy Strategies Consulting, LLC, I also continue to enhance my research agenda and professional connections in educational research, contributing to the field through my publications and presentations. My most recently published peer-reviewed articles include:


  • Kerbs, M., McQueston, J., & Lawrence, L. (2024). Playing with words: Scaffolding writing through poetry. The Reading Teacher, 78(1), 7-16.


  • Kerbs, M. (2024). Coaching toward transformation: Lessons learned from three second-grade writing teachers. Texas Journal of Literacy Education, 11 (1), 34-47.


  • Pule, H. & Kerbs, M. (2024). Supporting preservice teachers to explore school censorship and teacher advocacy. In D. E. Sachdeva, S. L. Hull, S. C. Kimmel, & W.A. Whitaker. Supporting Students' Intellectual Freedom in Schools: The Right to Read. IGI Global.


  • Kerbs, M. & Pule, H. (2023). Transformation of preservice teacher identities: The effects of authentic reading experiences on preservice teachers. Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts, 62 (1).


With a steadfast commitment to literacy education, I leverage my extensive experience and academic background to make a lasting impact on students and educators alike. I excel at simplifying the complicated, offering kind and compassionate guidance, and delivering practical takeaways that educators can immediately apply. My academic accomplishments are complemented by my social media presence, which brings literacy strategies to life. 

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