Janiel Wagstaff

I've been teaching for almost 30 years and have always specialized in literacy. I'm also a national literacy consultant and author of fifteen books for teachers on literacy practices from Scholastic, Stenhouse, and Corwin (see list in "Additional Bio Info" below). I am also the author of four picture books about a precocious second grade writer: Stella! (#Stellawrites) Right now, I work as a K-6 instructional coach in a Title I school. I love working and learning with teachers and students every day! Please see my website www.janielwagstaff.com, and join me at Literacy Matters on Facebook, or Twitter & instagram @janielwagstaff.

I'm a constructivist, at heart. I believe in hands-on, minds-on, active, reflective, personally-relevant learning for all children! BALANCE and PURPOSE are key and JOY is always a given!

Best of State Teacher of the Year for Utah Horizon Award Winner for Davis School District Featured member International Literacy Association

BA University of Utah MED University of Utah Certifications in Early Childhood Ed. and Elementary Ed. Endorsements in Reading Levels I and II and ESL Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator

Author of the Stella Writes picture book series (published by SDE and in May, 2018 by Scholastic). Author of 15 professional books for teachers: (From Scholastic): 85 Differentiated Word Sorts (2017) Quick Start to Writing Workshop Success (2011), Using Name Walls to Teaching Reading and Writing (2009), 20 Tricky Writing Problems Solved (2004), 20 Weekly Word Study Poetry Packets (2003), Irresistible Sound Matching Sheets and Lessons That Build Phonemic Awareness (2003), Teaching Reading and Writing With Word Walls (1999), Phonics That Work! New Strategies for the Reading/Writing Classroom (1994); (From Corwin Literacy): The Common Core Companion Booster Lessons K-2 (2016); (From Stenhouse) We Can Do This! Student Mentor Texts that Teach and Inspire K-2 (2017). Stella Writes An Opinion (2015), Stella and Class Information Experts (2015), Stella Tells Her Story (2015), Stella: Poet Extraordinaire (2016) (published by SDE and in May, 2018 by Scholastic).