Our Team

Literacy. Learning. You. It’s what drives us.

Providing Literacy Professional Development to PreK through Grade 12 Educators 

With literacy expertise across all grade levels, we have the know-how to prepare teachers to teach literacy skills to all students in all subjects. Since 2007 we’ve helped thousands of educators improve student reading and writing skills with literacy professional development that is evidence based and delivered by expert teacher trainers. Each year we work with educators in hundreds of schools, in all U.S. states. We also work directly with state departments of education and regional literacy service centers. Our staff present keynotes and workshops at national and state literacy conferences.  

Our Mission:

We believe the ability to read and write is the foundation for all learning and essential for a fulfilling and impactful life. We also believe effective, culturally responsive literacy instruction is a critical equity issue. Our mission is to provide high-quality, engaging, and sustainable professional development that is aligned to research-based literacy instruction. The goal is to help educators teach literacy skills in a way that increases literacy achievement for all students. 

Click here to read our paper about Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction. 

Joan Sedita, Our Founder

Joan is the founder of Keys to Literacy and lead author of our professional development routines.  For over 40 years, Joan has been on a mission to help teachers, schools, and districts improve student literacy skills, especially students who struggle with reading and writing. Together with the support of the Keys to Literacy staff, she has built an organization that is recognized as a leader in literacy professional development. Click on Joan’s picture for her bio. 

Joan Sedita

Meet Our Trainers and Leadership Team

In addition to their expertise in literacy and professional development skills, our training and management staff are former teachers and administrators. They have firsthand experience about what it means to be in your shoes and the difficulties literacy problems create. They also know the joy when student promise is turned into achievement. Our staff have a passion for literacy, a love of teaching, and a deep commitment to helping schools and districts reach their literacy objectives. Click on their pictures for their bios. 

Tiffany Aden, M. Ed.

Mark Alcaide, MBA

Deonne Arrington, M.Ed.

Kelly Ballard, Ed.D.

Mary Beth Banios, M.Ed.

Shelby Barker

John Bennetts, M.Ed.

Tracey Bowker, M.Ed.

Heather Bradstreet, B.A.

Bill Clarke, M.Ed.

Cindy Cooke, M.Ed

Shauna Cotte, M.Ed.

Mollie Cura, M.Ed.

Janice Daniels, CAGS

Claudia De Anda, M.Ed.

Bola Disu, Ed.D

Amanda Dupree, B.S. and B.A.

Karen Eades, M. Ed

Lisa Gianni, M.Ed.

Stacey Gridley Clark, B.S.

Rachel Dawn Keller, Ed.D

Ana Kennedy, Ed.D.

Lisa Klein, M.Ed.

Amy Kotara, M.Ed

Jennifer Leffers, M.A.

Linda Limbach, M.S.

Susan Mackey, M.Ed.

Jennifer Manfra-Levitt, M.Ed.

Liz Mangus, M.Ed

Donna Mastrovito, M.Ed.

Lauren Mitsis, M.Ed.

Karen Navantieri, MAT

Kimberly O’Brien, M.ED.

Caitlin Padget, M.S.

Melissa Powers, B.S.S.

Melisa Rice, M. Ed.

Patty Ridlon, M.Ed

Hope Rigby-Wills, Ed.D.

Darren Schlepp, M.Ed.

Amie Swope, M.Ed.

Susan Taft, M.Ed

Zora Warren, M.Ed.

Ivetha Witherspoon, Ed.D.

Brianna Woods

Amanda Yasenchock

Colleen Yasenchock, M.Ed

Michelle Zampell, M.Ed.

ACCESSING KEYS TO LITERACY PD DURING SCHOOL CLOSURES

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and the impact on our employees and the schools where we provide professional development.

During this time period when onsite, face-to-face training and coaching is not possible, we offer multiple options for accessing our literacy PD content and instructional practices.

If you are a current or new partner, explore our website or contact us to learn more about:

info@keystoliteracy.com
978-948-8511