542-803 CESA 2 Literacy Network 26-27

Schedule:

In-Person

• November 3, 2026: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
• February 16, 2027: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
• April 20, 2027: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Virtual

• October 22, 2026: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
• January 21, 2027: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
• March 18, 2027: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: In-Person at CESA 2, Virtual through Zoom

Price: $760, lunch included

Content Questions: Kris Statz (kris.statz@cesa2.org)

Registration Questions: events@cesa2.org

---

About this event: Join the CESA 2 Literacy Network, a collaborative community of educators committed to strengthening high-quality literacy instruction for all students. This network creates space for educators to connect, reflect, and refine instructional practices so that rigorous grade-level learning is accessible to every learner.

Participants will explore research, practices, and resources that strengthen literacy instruction across disciplines and support strong literacy instruction.

Participants will:

• Examine ways to strengthen literacy instruction across universal instruction, targeted interventions, and intentional scaffolding
• Explore strategies that integrate reading, writing, speaking, listening, and meaningful interaction
• Learn approaches for making academic language visible and explicitly teachable
• Engage in collaborative dialogue and share effective practices with educators from other districts
• Leave with practical strategies and resources that support strong literacy instruction and confident readers and writers

Participants will also receive a professional learning book to support reflection, discussion, and continued learning throughout the network. 

In addition, an optional monthly virtual Drop-In Collaboration Time will be offered during the months when the network does not meet in person. These informal sessions provide an opportunity to connect, ask questions, share ideas, and continue conversations between the in-person network meetings.

---

Our Presenters:

Kris Statz holds a Master of Science in Education and is licensed as a Reading Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Cross-Categorical Special Educator for students from kindergarten through age 21. She has worked as a special education teacher, instructional coach, and district reading specialist, supporting curriculum, instruction, assessment, and intervention across grade levels with a strong focus on equity and ensuring success for all students. She currently partners with districts as a WiMLSS Coach and Literacy Consultant at CESA 2, supporting systems-level coherence and multi-level supports to improve outcomes for all learners.

Nicole Aldworth, M.A.Ed., is an Early Learning Consultant and CLASS Instructor for the Early Childhood Licensure Program at CESA 2, where she also supports educators through the Special Education Induction Grant and serves as the statewide literacy specialist for the Early Learning Technical Assistance and Implementation grant. With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, Nicole has dedicated her career to working with young children and their families, while also collaborating with and empowering early educators in their practice.

Nicole holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She is deeply committed to supporting educators in implementing developmentally appropriate, inclusive practices that ensure all children can access, engage in, and thrive within rich learning environments. Her work focuses on building educator capacity through instructional coaching, strengthening early literacy and mathematics instruction (3K–2nd), supporting social-emotional development, and aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment with early learning standards to meet the diverse needs of all learners, including those with IEPs.

Fran Veguilla is a transformational leader, committed to equitable practices that help eliminate barriers for our more marginalized students and their families, so that they can fulfill their true potential. Fran has over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, bilingual/EL teacher, mentor, instructional coach, PLC facilitator, and advocate for change. Fran holds a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education from Rockford University and an Educational Leadership degree from Edgewood College. She is a collaborative leader who envisions schools and programs where diversity, inclusivism, and culture are seen, valued and celebrated.