Decoding the Reading Wars
Decoding the Reading Wars:
Finding Consensus on Literacy Education and Policy
April 7 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Crescent Innovation District
Literacy is foundational to students’ academic success and opportunities for upward mobility. And yet, the longstanding debate about the most effective approaches to reading instruction continue to loom large in South Carolina. This program aims to bring educators, education leaders, and other stakeholders together to understand the present challenges and opportunities and to build consensus on approaches to literacy education, with a common goal of ensuring that all students have equitable opportunities to become proficient readers.
*Greenville County School employees are approved to receive 2 hours of professional development credit for attending. If you are an employee in another school district and would like to receive credit for attending, please reach out to Kelly Gregory in advance of the event so she can contact your district office.
Event Details
- April 7, 2025
- 5:30-7 p.m.
- Crescent Innovation District, 25 Goldsmith St., Greenville
Panelists
MEREDITH BURTON
Meredith Burton is director and lead teacher of the Furman Child Development Center. Prior to joining Furman, Burton taught kindergarten and first grade for seven years in South Carolina public schools. She serves as president of the South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (SCAEYC) and I am a master certified trainer for the SC CCCCD system.
KELLY GREGORY
Kelly Gregory (moderator) is the Riley Institute’s director for public education projects and partnerships. In this role, she works to advance evidence-based education practices in South Carolina by cultivating statewide partnerships and drawing from the institute’s original research and from research at the state and national levels. She also directs the institute’s WhatWorksSC annual award program. Gregory taught for 11 years in public schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
DAWN HOOKER
Dawn Hooker serves as principal of Alexander Elementary and has 10 years of experience serving as a principal for Greenville County Schools. She possesses over 21 years of educational experience, which includes teaching second, third, and seventh grades. Hooker also served as an instructional coach with grades K4-5, Title I facilitator grades K4-5, and assistant principal grades K4-5.
CHARLOTTE MCDAVID
Charlotte McDavid currently serves as the assistant superintendent for transformation at Greenville County Schools. In this pivotal role, she leads turnaround initiatives, oversees the focus continuous improvement process for identified schools, and implements the Elevate incentive model for school transformation. Previously, McDavid served as the executive director of academic innovation and technology in Greenville County Schools, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Anderson School District Four, and Title I director for Anderson School District One.
MIRANDA SIGMON
Miranda Sigmon is associate professor of education at Winthrop University. She earned her doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Tech. Before entering higher education, she taught elementary school and worked as a literacy coach. Her research interest include reading-writing connections and student motivation related to literacy.