Facilitator: Jay Tillman
Organization: The Achievement Network
Role: Director of School Support
Session Description:
Black educators in St. Louis are key to transforming literacy outcomes, where third-grade proficiency rates stand at 42%, but only 21% for Black students. This session will help you craft a vision for equitable literacy instruction to drive meaningful change.
Through real-world examples, collaborative discussions, and practical tools, you’ll learn to:
- Create a literacy vision rooted in equity.
- Foster a culture of high expectations and belonging.
Join us to reimagine literacy as a pathway to opportunity for every child in St. Louis. Together, we can take steps to close the gap to ensuring literacy is a right, not a privilege.
Session Objectives/Outcomes:
- Leaders/teachers will define what equitable literacy instruction looks like.
- Leaders/teachers will reflect on strengths and opportunities in their current systems
- Leaders/teachers will create and refine their own vision for equitable literacy instruction for their setting
Professional Biography:
Jay started his career as a Career Services Advisor before moving into teaching. Jay’s first teaching role was within Chicago Public Schools, as a Chicago Teaching Fellow-affiliated with TNTP as a special education teacher. He transitioned to Four Points Middle School in Austin, TX as a middle school English, advanced placement and gifted and talented instructor. As an instructional leader, Jay has held roles as Campus Leadership Team Member, and School Administration Intern, Instructional Coach and Academic Dean. As a Director of School Support, Jay has supported schools and districts in New England, Upstate New York, Missouri and Washington, D.C. with The Achievement Network.
