ELA Learning Team
2026-2027
Why Join This Important Work?
This is more than just a committee; it's a movement to ignite powerful literacy instruction across our region, and we need passionate leaders like you to drive it. If you're a dedicated educator who's ready to work hard and advocate fiercely for your students, then this is your chance to make a profound impact.
Imagine a future where every child in every classroom experiences equitable and joyful educational opportunities, built upon a foundation of consistent, evidence-based, and thoughtfully planned literacy instruction. By joining this collaborative effort, you'll be at the forefront of crafting this vision. You'll engage in deep curriculum review, identify priority standards, and help shape instructional practices that truly move the needle for student learning.
This is an unparalleled opportunity for powerful professional growth. You'll collaborate with exceptional educators from across 13 local school districts and Northern Michigan University, sharing insights and developing innovative solutions.
We understand your commitment and value your time. That's why we're offering substitute teacher reimbursement, stipends for a summer workshop (TBD), SCECHs, delicious catered lunches, and even an invitation to a FREE national conference.
If you're ready to champion strong literacy instruction and advocate for every student's success, join us. Let's build a brighter educational future together.
Important Information
WHO:
- A collaboration between all 13 local school districts and NMU. This year, we are thrilled to be partnering with Dr. Kel Sassi. You can read more about her background here.
- A leadership team of 30 exceptional educators from all grade levels, passionate about literacy, and committed to leading the work in their home districts.
- K-12 Teachers
WHAT:
- Translate current literacy research into practical, thoughtfully planned instructional strategies that balance evidence-based foundational skills with high student engagement.
- Empower team members to serve as fierce advocates and instructional leaders, equipped to drive systemic, equitable literacy shifts within their home buildings.
- Foster an unparalleled professional network among the 13 school districts to share insights, solve common instructional challenges, and scale innovative solutions.
WHERE:
- Meet at Marquette-Alger RESA
WHEN:
- 9:00-3:00
- 4 days throughout the year; still finalizing dates; tentative dates are below
October 1, 2026 - 9:00-3:00 Link to Session 1 Registration
December 4, 2026 - 9:00-3:00 Link to Session 2 Registration
February 18, 2027 - 9:00-3:00 Link to Session 3 Registration
April 26, 2027 - 9:00-3:00 Link to Session 4 Registration
WHY:
- Powerful learning for children requires powerful learning for educators.
- Improve student learning by providing equitable and JOYFUL educational opportunities.
- Create a consistent, evidence-based, thoughtful plan for teaching priority standards
Valuing YOU:
- Marquette-Alger RESA will provide substitute teacher reimbursement
- State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs)
- Catered lunch, refreshments, and snacks
- An invitation to a FREE national conference
Joy is the practice of loving self and humanity; caring for and helping humanity and earth; recognizing truth, beauty, aesthetics, art, and wonder; and working to solve social problems of the world. ~Gholdy Muhammad
K-12 ELA Curriculum Team Guides
Chandra Ziegler
MARESA Literacy Coach
Colleen Sundholm
MARESA Literacy Coach
Kel Sassi
NMU English and Education Professor
ksassi@nmu.edu
Email: cziegler@maresa.org
Location: 321 East Ohio Street, Marquette, MI, USA
Phone: 906-226-5125
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MARESALiteracy