Equity in Literacy Fellowship

Mary Kay is a passionate Michigan educator dedicated to elevating the role of teacher leaders and creating equity-focused schools. She leads program implementation and growth in Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Before joining Leading Educators, Mary Kay taught grades K-8, was a building principal, and was an instructional coach. In addition to school system work, she also gained experience working at national non-profits as a leadership coach at Partners in School Innovation and Associate Director at The Education Trust-Midwest.

Mary Kay holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Aquinas College and a M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband, three children, and fur baby Miss Scout.

Tina collaborates with school and district partners to promote standards-based instruction, equity awareness and robust adult learning communities. She enjoys facilitating workshops, designing content, leading observations and coaching with educators in Greater Grands Rapids.

Previously, Tina was an instructional coach and ELA teacher in South Florida, including two years as a Teach for America corps member. She also taught Math and Verbal post-secondary exam courses at Florida Atlantic University. While in the U.S. Peace Corps in the West Indies, Tina worked on projects including after-school learning centers, libraries and adult education classes.

Tina holds a Masters of Education from Florida Atlantic University and a B.A. in English-Journalism/Communications from Averett College. She holds certifications in English, Reading and School Guidance Counseling, and was proud to be a finalist for the 2016 GLSEN Educator of the Year Award.

Kristine is a passionate educator determined to make a positive impact on the educational landscape. She supports several schools in the Greater Grand Rapids areas.

Previously, Kristine worked as an elementary teacher in the Grand Rapids Area. She also spent time as a School Innovation Partner working closely with building leaders in schools with historically underserved students to develop systems of improvement to foster sustainable building transformation. Most recently, Kristine held the role of Curriculum Director where she developed systems of professional learning, supported the district instructional vision and established coaching structures to support teachers.

Kristine holds an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Michigan State University and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Bethel University. She lives in Lake Odessa, Michigan, with her husband and three children. Kristine enjoys hiking, reading and being a parent cheerleader at her childrens’ events.

Jennifer is an educator who is driven to ensure that all students have access to a positive and impactful school experience, and she is especially passionate about early childhood education. She coaches, designs content, and facilitates professional learning for educators in the Greater Grand Rapids region.

Before joining Leading Educators, Jennifer spent four years supporting school transformation with Partners in School Innovation. Prior to that, she was a classroom teacher in Godwin Heights Public Schools, teaching early elementary for ten years before moving into the non-profit world.

Jennifer holds a B.S. in Child Development and an M.A. in Teaching and Curriculum, both from Michigan State University. She lives in Grand Rapids, MI, with her husband and 3 kids. Jen’s other interests are going to concerts, movies and comedy shows, spending time outside, cooking, and enjoying an occasional Netflix binge.

As a Program Manager, Jessie Mae serves as the primary interface for event and logistics staff. She offers expertise in leadership principles, Public Assistance programs, and training coordination while advancing progress towards organizational goals. Capturing high-levels of customer satisfaction for the programs she manages has been an important part of her program management roles.

Jessie Mae has always worked for organizations with a mission she could get behind. She was a Program Manager for Weld County Human Services in the Assistance Payments division which was responsible for processing applications for Public Assistance programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP formerly known as Food Stamps), Medicaid, TANF, and Child Care assistance. She managed the Second Chance program at the Larimer County Workforce Center which helps ex-offenders with job readiness skills and placement into internships that could lead to permanent employment. She was the Training Manager for IDEA Public Schools which focused on ensuring every student enrolled in college.

She has a Masters in Organizational Leadership degree with a minor in Human Resource Management through Colorado State University-Global Campus. She has certifications in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Leadership Facilitation, and Spanish.

She is a mother of two children who currently lives in San Antonio, Texas. In her free time, she enjoys writing, reading, and playing games with her kids.