Presenters'+Bios

** Transforming Literacy Instruction with Digital Texts and Tools **
 * Biographies for Presenters at the 2016 ILA Institute: **

**Maria Baird**, M.A. Clinical Psychology, M.A. Reading, serves as the Head of the Middle School Murray Program. This program assists students with learning differences within the school community. Maria meets with 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students each day and has designed a curriculum of study skills and strategies. She is involved in professional development, assisting teachers in the planning of projects in the classroom and currently serves on a committee for technology advancement. Email: inmiddlewithmurray@gmail.com Twitter: @MariaBTeaching


 * Louise Cullen** B.A.Ed., M.Ed., M.Ed.TL. is a literacy and ICT pedagogical coach, teacher librarian and International Baccalaureate workshop leader. As an active member of the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association, she regularly presents at conferences with a focus on the transformative possibilities afforded by ICT integration. Most recently Louise worked at Merrimac State High School, Canberra Girls Grammar School, and she is about to embark on an exciting adventure teaching at Shen Wai International School in China. email: louise.cullen@swis.cn Twitter: @louise_cullen

**Dr. Aileen P. Hower** is the K-12 Literacy/ESL Supervisor for South Western School District, is the coordinator of the Eduspire and Penn State York Summer Literacy Institutes and teaches graduate level reading courses for Penn State York, Cabrini College, and Eduspire. In addition to teaching, she is the vice president elect for the Keystone State Reading Association. You can find her on Twitter at (@aileenhower) or on her blog (aileenhower.wordpress.com)//.//


 * Alex Galland** B.A., Dip.Ed., M.Ed., LTCL is the Head of Learning and Innovation at Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School. She is passionate about mentoring teachers in the effective integration of learning technologies across the curriculum. She presents regularly at conferences and workshops, and is a Google for Education Certified Trainer. A committed driver of change, Alex received an ACEL Educational Leadership Award in 2015. Email: alex.galland@cggs.act.edu.au Twitter: @alexgalland


 * Carita Kiili** is a post-doctoral researcher in education at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Currently, she is involved in three research projects funded by the Academy of Finland. The projects focus on clarifying students’ online reading skills and developing instructional practices for online readers in primary and secondary level. She can be reached at carita.kiili@jyu.fi


 * Tara Kingsley** is currently an assistant literacy professor at IU Kokomo as well as an educational consultant for Bureau of Educational Development. As an avid technology user, Tara has a special interest in supporting deeper levels of student learning through technology integration. Tara presents on topics relating to both literacy, technology, and higher order thinking.


 * Michael Manderino** is an assistant professor in the Department of Literacy and Elementary Education at Northern Illinois University. His research and teaching focus on disciplinary and digital literacies in adolescent contexts. Dr. Manderino is the co-author of //Content Area Learning: Bridges to Disciplinary Literacy// with Roberta Berglund and Jerry Johns//.// He also works closely with school districts to implement disciplinary literacy in the curriculum and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses related to disciplinary literacy. Prior to joining the faculty at Northern Illinois University, he was a high school history teacher and disciplinary literacy coach. He can be reached at mmanderino@niu.edu or @mmanderino on Twitter.


 * Ian O’Byrne** is an educator, researcher, and speaker. His research investigates the literacy practices of individuals as they read, write, and communicate in online spaces. Ian has been involved in initiatives ranging from online and hybrid coursework, integrating technology in the classroom, ePortfolio systems, and supporting marginalized students in literacy practices. Visit [|his website], or subscribe to [|his weekly newsletter] for a synthesis of what he has been reading and writing. Smart and savvy educators subscribe to [|his weekly podcast] to better understand literacy, technology, & education.. He can be reached at wiobyrne@gmail.com or @wiobyrne on Twitter.

**Mary Ellen Oslick**, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of education at Stetson University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Reading and Literacy. Her research areas of interest include: social justice and critical literacy applications; multicultural children’s literature; and reading and writing instruction with diverse learners. She can be reached at moslick@stetson.edu


 * Kristine E. Pytash** is an associate professor in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies at Kent State University’s College of Education, Health, and Human Services, where she co-directs the secondary Integrated Language Arts teacher preparation program. She was a former high school English teacher. Her research focuses on disciplinary writing, the literacy practices of youth in alternative schools and juvenile detention facilities, and preparing teachers to teach writing. She can be contacted at kpytash@kent.edu or @kpytash


 * Julie B. Wise** is a doctoral candidate at the University of Delaware. Her research examines students’ literacy practices within digital learning environments. Contact her at jbwise@udel.edu or on Twitter @readingsecrets


 * Kristin Ziemke** is a teacher of primary age learners in Chicago, Kristin Ziemke pairs best practice instruction with digital tools to transform learning in the classroom and beyond. Author of //Amplify: Digital Teaching and Learning in the K-6 Classroom// and //Connecting Comprehension and Technology//, Kristin is an Apple Distinguished Educator, National Board Certified Teacher and Chicago’s Tech Innovator of the Year. She collaborates with educators around the globe as a staff developer, speaker and writer. @KristinZiemke