Testimonials

Partial Client List

Listed is a partial client list of Associations, Organizations, School Districts and Educational Institutions.

Ms. Athans has worked with to provide workshops & presentations, site-based professional development & teacher training, and/or speaking & lecturing services.

• International Reading Association (IRA) Annual Conferences
• The New York State Reading Association (NYSRA) Annual Conferences
• The Central New York Teaching Center (CNYTC)
• Other Reading Councils & Teacher Resource Centers
• NY School Districts
• Special Presentations
• The New York City Department of Education (Children First Network)
• New York State Council for the Social Studies (NYSCSS)
• National Council of Teachers Of English (NCTE)

The International Literacy Association (ILA) Annual Conference

The International Reading Association (now called the International Literacy Association) previously held its annual conference every spring until, beginning in July 2015, the conference was held in the summer. Every year, thousands of educators from around the world submit presentation proposals to the conference. Each proposal is then evaluated and blind scored by three separate reviewers. A proposal is accepted only if it receives a high cumulative score as set by the IRA Conference Committee. This competitive and rigorous process helps ensure that all presentations meet high standards.

Ms. Athans has prepared and submitted proposals to the IRA Conference on behalf of herself and her colleagues since 2007 and has been invited to present every year. Many of her sessions attract hundreds of attendees from across the nation.

Comments:

“I was fortunate enough to attend your workshop at the International Reading Association (IRA) Conference and have been recommending your book ever since! The teachers I work with find the Read-Along Guides to be clear, specific, and helpful. The process clears up all confusion and directs both teacher-led and independent instruction to be extremely productive.”

Dr. Sandra Doran, The Teacher Track,
Apopka, Florida

The New York State Reading Association (NYSRA) Annual Conference, Saratoga Springs, Rye Brook and Other New York Locations.

Since 2009, this association has held its annual conference in the spring. It was formerly held in the fall through 2007, when it skipped a year while transitioning. Proposals for these conferences are evaluated, blind scored, and accepted using a competitive and rigorous process.

Ms. Athans has prepared and submitted proposals to the NYSRA Conferences on behalf of herself and her colleagues since 2007 and has been invited to present every year. Her sessions attract hundreds of participants. A list of her presentation topics follows:

Comments:

“I attended your Fun-tastic workshop at the New York State Reading Conference (NYSRA) and was so excited to bring the ideas back to the 4th grade teachers I work with. Thank you for inspiring us!”

Tammy Nothnagle, Reading Teacher,
Caledonia-Mumford School District, New York

“I had the pleasure of participating in your workshop, Fun-tastic Activities for Differentiating Comprehension Instruction, Grade 2-6, at the New York State Reading Association Conference. Every teacher who wants to know how to teach comprehension and provide practice in comprehension for students ‘in the middle’ will benefit from your excellent classroom practices.”

Karen Jones, Educational Consultant; K-12 Literacy Coach- Retired,
Corinth Central Schools, New York

The Central New York Teaching Center (CNYTC), East Syracuse, New York

The Central New York Teaching Center serves over 6,000 educators in 16 school districts, OCM BOCES, and 10 non-public schools in Central New York. The CNYTC works with area educators, school districts, parents, educational organizations, community members and higher education to support professional development activities that make an impact on teaching and learning.

Over the course of ten years, Ms. Athans has conducted over twenty-five literacy workshops for the Teaching Center. She frequently presents multiple, on-going sessions that are well attended by classroom teachers from many different school districts throughout the school year. Some of her most popular courses include those on:

Differentiated Literacy Activities
Guided Reading
Student Motivation

In addition to the workshops held in conjunction with the Central New York Teaching Center, Ms. Athans was invited to present at the New York State Teacher Center Summer Institute in July 2007. Representatives of all 130 Teaching Centers, from seven regional networks located across New York State attended this Institute. Ms. Athans spoke on the following topic:

Action Research Makes a Difference

Comments:
“Ms. Athans has brought many invaluable workshops to our Teaching Center over the past ten years. Her strength lies in her ability to reach and speak the language of practicing teachers. Through her workshops, she has helped countless teaching professionals embrace best-practice ideas in a way that works and in a manner that makes sense in today’s classrooms. Her workshops are also well planned and executed. She is a true professional.”

Patricia Galimi, Director, Central New York Teaching Center

Other Reading Councils & Teacher Resources Centers – Partial list

Central New York Reading Council
Mohawk Valley Reading Council
Mid-State Teacher Resource Center, Madison-Oneida Board of Cooperative Educational Services
Office of Catholic Education, Diocese of Cleveland
Binghamton Area Council Reading Council

Comments:
“It was a pleasure to have you assisting our teachers. You were appreciated by all who attended your session.”

Sister Lucia Bucholtz, Professional Development Consultant
for the Office of Catholic Education, Diocese of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH

“You were so knowledgeable, professional, and helpful. I will absolutely use the information you provided! It was a pleasure attending your session! You have motivated and inspired me with these beautiful, fun literacy activities so that I can empower my students.”

Amy Jakulin, 4th Grade Teacher, Self-Contained Classroom, St. Leo the Great School, Cleveland, Ohio

School Districts – partial list (New York)

Baldwinsville Central School District, New York
Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School, New York
Homer Central Schools, New York
Solvay Union Free School District
Westhill Central School District

Comments:
“I wish to thank you for your involvement in our Professional Staff Development Day. Your contribution and your enthusiasm are greatly appreciated. Based on teacher evaluation, your workshops were quite popular and the thoughts that you shared were valued by all who attended.”

Kelly Barone, Former Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Solvay Union Free School District

“Thanks for sharing your guided reading model with our teachers. Through this model, our classrooms have moved from traditional reading groups to interactive learning communities. Teachers seamlessly and effectively integrate content area reading. Both teachers and students utilize the latest technology to research, evaluate, and present information. There are some pretty fantastic things going on…just ask our kids!”

Pamela Helmer, Teacher Leader, Grades Prek – 6, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School, New York

Special Presentations
• Barnes & Noble
• Borders
• LeMoyne College
• Mohawk Valley Community College
• New York City Department of Education Library Services
• Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (IS NeworkED)
• Book Clubs