Over the last 20 years, Jerry Maraia has worked in schools throughout the world as a classroom teacher, staff developer, curriculum director, and principal.  He began his career teaching in Upper Elementary and Middle School classrooms in New York City.  After years in the classroom, Jerry began a career as a literacy consultant, working with hundreds of classroom teachers and school leaders of public and private schools to develop research-based literacy curricula and teaching practices.

 Jerry also served as the Head of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at an international school in NYC where he led the development and evaluation of PK-12 curricular programs and provided professional learning for all faculty and staff.  Most recently, Jerry was the Principal of the Lower School Division, Kindergarten through Grade 5, and worked collaboratively with teachers to implement strategy-based literacy instruction and responsive approaches that centered student voices.     

 In addition to Jerry’s work in PK-12 schools and districts, he is also a frequent presenter at national conferences and universities on curriculum and instruction, and adjunct professor in teacher education and educational leadership programs.  Jerry holds a B.S. in English and Theatre from Skidmore College, an M.A. in English Education and Educational Theatre from New York University, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.