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Molly Feeney Wood of Literacy Strategies Consulting

Jennifer Serravallo's Approved Literacy Specialist

Professional History

I believe in the power of literacy. I was raised by a single mother who read to me every night and signed me up for our library's summer reading program every year. Now, as a mother to three young children myself, I share her belief in the importance and urgency of the written word. I teach my children that their voice has power and that their writing can change the world. 


When my daughter was in first grade, she wrote and illustrated a letter to the New York State's Parks and Recreation Director asking them to allow scooters at our nearby State Park.

The letter received a very positive response, and her request was granted in Caumsett State Park, effective immediately. When children see that their experiences matter, as reflected in the books they read and the pieces they write, they feel empowered and significant.


That is how I want my own children to feel, and that is how I approach my work in schools with teachers and students.


I joke that when I'm not working in schools, I'm at my own public library—but it is not so much a joke as it is the truth! I am also very involved in my community as a co-founder of Northport's local chapter of Not In Our Town, an anti-bullying and anti-hate organization. I'm active in my children's schools and currently serve as a co-president of the PTA.

Molly Feeney Wood of Literacy Strategies Consulting. Jennifer Serravallo Approved Literacy Specialist

Teaching


While pursuing my degree in Communication at Cornell University, I participated in the Urban Semester program in New York City. In conjunction with an internship, I spent one day each week working in a school in Brooklyn. My classroom time there was the most meaningful time of my whole week and motivated me to shift directions. Upon graduating magna cum laude, I went on to earn my Master's degree in Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. I was honored to be offered a teaching job in the school in which I student taught, P.S. 199. I worked with upper elementary for several years, during which time I hosted student teachers and literacy specialists, piloted various literacy curriculums, and ran workshops at Teachers College.

Being a classroom teacher was a magical job. I loved building and nurturing a community of learners who understood, respected, and grew from one another. I'm still in touch with former students and love hearing all the great things they have gone on to accomplish. 

Supporting and Coaching


Next to working with my students, my favorite part of teaching was learning from staff developers. I walked away from my time with them feeling evermore capable and empowered. That relationship led me to pursue what I do now. After leaving the classroom, I worked far and wide, visiting classrooms across the country to work alongside teachers. It showed me that there are so many ways teaching and learning can look as long as students are the focus. Presenting at conferences, including NCTE, opened my eyes even further to the depth and breadth of perspectives and knowledge in the world of education. 


Over the years, I connected with Jennifer Serravallo who led a think tank several times a year. I loved learning from Jen and being part of a community of literacy specialists. Several years later, I eagerly joined Jen's team and am very proud and humbled to work with my incredible colleagues. 


While I now work primarily on Long Island, New York, my work still takes me to other parts of the country, and I am forever in awe of the hard work teachers and administrators do to bring out the best in themselves and their students. 

Feedback from Participants


"I am pleased to provide a professional review of Molly Feeney Wood, a dedicated and highly skilled literacy coach who has been instrumental in advancing literacy and developing skilled readers in grades K-5 in the Baldwin UFSD. Molly's approach is both research-based and practical, ensuring that the strategies she introduces are not only theoretically sound but also easily implementable in the classroom. Her ability to differentiate her coaching to meet the varied needs of teachers is exceptional. She effectively models best practices and provides constructive feedback in a manner that fosters a culture of continuous improvement among educators.


Molly has successfully coached teachers to implement strategy groups and various types of reading conferences, significantly enhancing their instructional techniques. Under her guidance, teachers have become adept at organizing and facilitating small group instruction tailored to specific literacy needs. She has also trained educators in conducting effective reading conferences, focusing on individual student progress and personalized feedback. These initiatives have led to a noticeable improvement in student literacy skills, with teachers reporting increased confidence in their ability to deliver effective literacy instruction. Molly has been an invaluable asset to educators at Baldwin UFSD."


Anthony Mignella

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

Baldwin School District

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