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Osteen said her primary focus is building strong relationships with teachers to foster collaboration and student growth. “Working with such a broad range of students has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of how literacy skills evolve, and how to scaffold instruction to meet students where they are,” she said.

Osteen is especially excited to uplift educators. “I’ve always believed that student success starts with strong, supported educators,” she said. “When teachers feel confident, valued, and equipped, their impact on students grows.”

Her philosophy centers on making literacy both foundational and enjoyable. “All students deserve literacy instruction that empowers them to think critically and communicate effectively,” she said. “At the same time, I believe literacy instruction should nurture a lifelong love of reading by making learning relevant, fun, and accessible to all learners.”

In her first year, Osteen aims to build trust and collaboration with teachers while strengthening communication across grade levels and campuses. “I hope to draw on my own classroom experience to support teachers in brainstorming, problem-solving, and finding practical ways to meet the diverse needs of today’s students,” she said. “I believe in working alongside teachers to support student success.”

Her advice for boosting ELAR skills: encourage reading for pleasure. “One of the most impactful things teachers and parents can do is encourage students to read self-selected texts for pleasure,” she said. “Talk to your students about what they are reading; asking them general, open-ended questions can help build relationships, literacy skills, and a passion for reading.”