About-old — Jennifer Serravallo Author & Consulting

About

Hi, I’m Jen Serravallo

I’m a reading and writing educator, teacher’s teacher, author, speaker, and leader of a consulting team, Literacy Strategies Consulting, LLC.

I support K-8 literacy educators around the globe in developing skillful, enthusiastic readers and writers by translating research and complex theories into doable practices that fit today’s classrooms.

I write research-based books and materials and work alongside teachers, coaches, administrators, and district leaders to support their understanding and implementation of student-centered literacy instruction.

I believe in instruction that honors the whole, unique learner - culturally, emotionally, socially, and academically.

I also believe in approaching all learning with a spirit of vulnerability - embracing mistakes, reflection, and self-advocacy along the path to progress.

I’m honored to join you and educators across the world on this journey of literacy teaching and learning.

Teaching

My first teaching job was at an elementary school in Brooklyn, New York, where I was given the keys to my 4th grade classroom and little else in terms of books, materials, or support. I found my own mentor, a teacher down the hall, whose support was invaluable in my first years in the classroom.

Years later, I began teaching at another New York City school with a commitment to professional development, instructional coaching, and collaboration amongst staff. While there, I also worked toward my Master’s degree at Teachers College, Columbia University, and mentored student teachers.

Jennifer Serravallo was a New York City public school teacher before becoming a consultant

Supporting, Coaching

I found that the support I received as a teacher was critical to helping me do my best work and feel fulfilled and inspired–professional development is what kept me in the field.

I decided to transition from classroom teaching to coaching and traveled to schools throughout NYC and beyond, worked in think tanks to develop curriculum and classroom-ready materials, and eventually started writing my own books to offer teachers the kinds of ready-to-use resources I wish I’d had as a teacher.

Over time, I received invitations to consult with schools and districts directly, and soon I had more requests than I could respond to myself. I reached out to colleagues I know and trust and asked them to join me. I founded Literacy Strategies Consulting, and we now work together to support schools and districts around the world.

Jennifer Serravallo supports literacy teachers, coaches, and administrators with research-based teaching best practices

Leading

The mission of Literacy Strategies Consulting is to help K-8 students, and their teachers and school leaders, by increasing achievement, confidence, and excitement around literacy teaching and learning.

This select group of literacy consultants and I have been collaborating for many years —learning from top researchers together, teaching workshops and institutes together, supporting students and educators together.

Because of this, they are the only literacy consultants approved to facilitate professional development using my authored resources (and can only be booked through this website).

With decades of experiences in diverse roles in education—as K-12 classroom teachers, bilingual immersion and dual language educators, special education teachers, literacy coaches, and principals—my colleagues and I are poised to support any school in English or Spanish, in any country.