Children's Literacy Initiative Welcomes New Executive Director Joel Zarrow, Ph.D.
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) May 21, 2014 -- More than 100 regional business, education and community leaders convened, recently, at a welcome reception honoring Joel Zarrow, Ph.D., the newly appointed executive director at Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), a non-profit organization which trains teachers to achieve literacy education for children in high-poverty, high-minority school districts, by the third grade. Christine S. Beck, chairman, CLI, delivered opening remarks.
Dr. Zarrow spoke on the importance of early childhood literacy, and his vision for continuing the advancement of CLI’s mission throughout the Greater Philadelphia area and in other targeted communities, nationwide. He said, "I believe that in education, there is nothing more important than ensuring that kids can read and write at grade-level, by third grade. I agree with those who stand up and say that equity in education is one of the great civil rights issues of our time."
"CLI is turning what is, often, simply rhetoric," Zarrow added, "into action and impact, by being bold in our declaration about what the future can, and will, look like when we all pull together to make it happen. By holding each other accountable for doing what we say and applying the best practices we learn along the way, we can begin transforming the literacy landscape, together. Through the collective efforts of determined and capable individuals, who have a shared purpose, trust and high expectations of themselves and each other, I believe we can achieve great things."
Dr. Zarrow has dedicated his nearly 20-year career to improving the quality of education in urban public schools, and to closing the achievement gaps. One of his most notable career highlights includes launching efforts, with the New Jersey Department of Education, to effect an academic turnaround in 220 of the state's lowest-performing schools. Under his leadership, New Jersey established six Regional Achievement Centers, staffed with a range of educational experts, who were focused on providing direct support to schools and districts.
Click here to view remarks made by Christine Beck, chairman, Children’s Literacy Initiative and Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, on the importance of education, statewide, and partnership opportunities- VIDEO - http://youtu.be/gWmGui4F1tY.
About Children’s Literacy Initiative
Established in 1988, the Children's Literacy Initiative is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and provides personalized, one-on-one teacher coaching, research-based literacy training, small group coaching, and leadership coaching for principals and teacher-leaders. In addition to its work in the Philadelphia area, the organization also maintains offices and provides training services in Camden, N.J., Newark, N.J., and Chicago, Illinois.
Jennifer Chapple Ingram, Millennium 3 Management, http://www.m3mpr.com, 215-751-0140, [email protected]
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