Erica Beaton teaches just down the hall from me, and she's a huge reason that so much of this blog exists.
First of all, she was one of the first people to shout it out on Twitter.
Secondly, she is smart. Really smart. When I was new to Cedar Springs High School, Erica intimidated the heck out of me (she was right up there with Doug Stark; I teach alongside many betters!).
Since 2006, Erica has in Cedar Springs. Over these years, she's worked with adolescents ranging from “advanced” to “at-risk.” In 2013, she began teaching preservice teachers — across all content areas — at Grand Valley State University. Delving into her own research throughout this time, she has found that, regardless of ability level or content area, all students want to grow as readers, writers, and thinkers. This exciting space for growth is why Erica, a certified K-12 reading specialist, loves talking to teachers about how to engage students in best practice literacy instruction and character development.
The best way to get a solid grasp on Erica's approach is through the blog she started in November 2011. Upon browsing around, you'll realize that Erica combines head with heart, bringing her vast knowledge of education theory, research, and best practice instructional strategies to bear on her honest, no-nonsense approach to promoting student learning in the classroom.
If you hire Erica as a speaker or workshop facilitator, expect to learn literacy strategies that increase student ownership and transferability of skills. Erica’s workshop audiences appreciate that she is not just well-read but that she teaches full-time, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice in both her secondary and graduate-level classrooms.
Workshop offerings
- Literacy: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening
- Literacy Across the Content Areas
- Motivating Adolescent Readers
Contact Erica.
Feedback for Erica's Work
“Fabulous, Erica. This is a comprehensive look at what you’re doing and why. I would love to see you present sometime… You are already doing amazing things in your classroom… You’re one of my heroes.”
– Penny Kittle; author, professional development coordinator, and rockstar high school English teacher
“I enjoyed your Prezi on close reading and am honored that you found my work useful.”
– Doug Fisher; author and professor of language and literacy education at San Diego State University
“Her knowledge was exactly what I needed to hear today. Our department is looking for ways to increase student literacy in our content, but we are not literacy teachers. Erica gave us some specific strategies and practices that I can use immediately in my class. Her presentation was thoughtful and had many resources that I can use. I appreciated that! I truly can’t express how wonderful this session was. I not feel like I have someone I can work with to help me navigate my standards/curriculum/classes. THANK YOU!!!”
– Michelle Jensky; high school Social Studies teacher
“What a wonderful presentation! Erica was so prepared and is so well-informed. She is a wealth of knowledge. There were so many good ideas and strategies that I can use in my classroom next year. I especially loved her examples and the treasure trove of books that she shared with us. In addition to an excellent presentation, Erica was very informative when we strayed from the agenda giving professional advice and guidance. Thank you so much!”
– Jennifer Mesler; middle school Social Studies teacher
Experience
- February 2016: Academic Vocabulary + Writing
- Cedar Springs Public Schools Professional Development Day
- led with Josh Cooper
- Cedar Springs Public Schools Professional Development Day
- October 2015: Blogging in the Classroom webinar
- 4T Virtual Conference on Digital Writing
- led with Beth Roghers
- 4T Virtual Conference on Digital Writing
- August 2015: Literacy across the Content Areas
- Big Rapids, MI
- July 2015: Argumentation & Social Studies workshop
- LMF4PD Conference with Dr. Rick Wormeli; Grand Rapids, MI
- July 2015: Disciplinary Literacy presentation
- nErDcamp Conference: Day One; Parma, MI
- led with Dave Stuart Jr.
- nErDcamp Conference: Day One; Parma, MI
- March 2015: Interdisciplinary Literacy workshop
- Grand Valley State University College; Grand Rapids, MI
- March 2015: Demystifying Argumentative Writing presentation
- 58th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- March 2015: Creating Hype with “Gateway” Books & Strategies presentation
- 58th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
I'm sold! I want to contact Erica!
- November 2014: Demystifying Argumentative Writing presentation
- 2014 Michigan Joint Annual Social Studies Conference; Lansing, MI
- November 2014: Transatlantic Outreach Program
- edCampGR; Grand Rapids, MI
- October 2014: Twitter for Teachers: It’s more than @KimKardashianselfies
- Semi-Annual Student Teacher Fire-Up Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- October 2014: Interdisciplinar
y Literacy workshop - Grand Valley State University College; Grand Rapids, MI
- June 2014: Creating Hype with “Gateway” Books & Strategies presentation
- Annual Michigan Reading Association Summer Literacy Conference; Mackinaw Island, MI
- June 2014: Demystifying Argumentative Writing presentation
- nErDcamp Conference: Day One; Parma, MI
- March 2014: How the hashtag might be ruining the English language but will get you hired
- Semi-Annual Student Teacher Fire-Up Conference; Allendale, MI
- February 2014: How the hashtag might be ruining the English language but will impact your instruction
- Cedar Springs Public Schools; Cedar Springs, MI
- January 2014: They Say, I Say: Demystifying Argumentative Writing in the Social Sciences presentation
- Social Studies Professional Learning Community; Cedar Springs, MI
- October 2013: Close Reading workshop
- Shine Catholic Grade School; Royal Oak, MI
- lead with Dave Stuart Jr.
- Shine Catholic Grade School; Royal Oak, MI
- March 2013: How Classroom Libraries Connect Us presentation
- Semi-Annual Student Teacher Fire-Up Conference; Allendale, MI
- March 2013: Close Reading: How to Light Your Students’ Minds on Fire presentation
- 57th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- lead with Dave Stuart Jr.
- 57th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- November 2012: Close Reading workshop
- Cedar Springs Public Schools; Cedar Springs, MI
- October 2012: How Classroom Libraries Connect Us presentation
- Semi-Annual Student Teacher Fire-Up Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- lead with Lindsey Tilley
- Semi-Annual Student Teacher Fire-Up Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- October 2012: Creating a Classroom for the 21st Century Learner roundtable discussion
- Grand Valley State University College of Education Alumni Association; Allendale, MI
- lead with Brooke Holt
- Grand Valley State University College of Education Alumni Association; Allendale, MI
- May 2012: Project-Based Learning workshop
- Grand Valley State University; Allendale, MI
- March 2012: How Classroom Libraries Connect Us presentation
- 56th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- lead with Lindsey Tilley
- 56th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- August 2011: Creating Classrooms Where Readers Flourish roundtable discussion
- Aquinas College’s Summer Literacy Conference with Donalyn Miller; Grand Rapids, MI
- 2007-2009: West Ed’s Reading Apprenticeship district-wide literacy initiative
- Cedar Springs Public Schools; Cedar Springs MI
- lead with Jennifer Van Der Heide & Steven Vree
- Cedar Springs Public Schools; Cedar Springs MI
Inquire with Erica about rates and dates
[contact_form email=”ericaleebeaton@gmail.com” subject=”Inquiry for Speaking from DaveStuartJr.com”]