ABOUT KATE & MAGGIE
Kate and Maggie are literacy consultants known for their practical approach to reaching ideals in education. They are problem solvers and coaches, ready to work with you, helping your students become the readers and writers they can and want to be.
Kate and Maggie began their teaching careers as middle school teachers in city centers — Kate in Brooklyn, Maggie in Chicago. They both felt a natural fit in the energy, intensity and humor of early adolescence. After their graduate education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, Kate and Maggie became literacy consultants and worked with teachers in classrooms all over the country.
For the last fifteen years, Kate and Maggie have worked across elementary, middle school, and high school grades, focusing on skill and strategy-based literacy instruction, literacy across the content areas, differentiated teaching methods, and optimizing teaching schedules and structures.
Over time, Kate and Maggie have become known for their concrete solutions to tough situations, their humor, and their strong curricular, pedagogical and personal support of teachers, administrators, and students. These strengths shine through during their presentations and social media presence, such as on their blog, Instagram and TikTok accounts, and their video series for their latest book together, DIY Literacy.
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Kate is a national literacy consultant, top-selling author, and popular keynote speaker. She taught reading and writing in Brooklyn, NY and worked as a literacy coach before transitioning into supporting teachers full-time as a national literacy consultant. In 2005, Kate's latest book, A Novel Approach, asks how we can teach whole class novels while still holding onto student-centered practices like independent reading and peer-centered book groups. She is also the co-author of Falling in Love with Close Reading (with Christopher Lehman) and DIY Literacy (with Maggie Beattie Roberts). Her work with students across the country has led to her belief that all kids can be insightful, academic thinkers when the work is demystified, broken down, and made engaging. To this end, Kate has worked nationally and internationally to help teachers, schools, and districts develop and implement strong teaching practices and curricula.
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Maggie Beattie Roberts began her teaching career in the heart of Chicago, and then pursued graduate studies as a Literacy Specialist at Columbia University in New York City. Maggie is a national literacy consultant, author and popular on-site professional learning facilitator. She is known for the strong relationships she forms with teachers and school leaders, especially during in-school residences and partnerships. She is happiest when shoulder to shoulder with classroom teachers and school leaders during the school day, supporting and problem solving in real time. Maggie’s recent work includes analyzing literacy data with teachers to help them use the information in quick, clear, and impactful ways. She is pursuing post-baccalaureate professional certificates in learning differences and neurodiversity with a specialization in executive functioning from Landmark College, as well as learning from and connecting with other small business owners carving out their own path. She is co-author of the book, DIY Literacy: Teaching Tools for Differentiation, Rigor, and Independence (with Kate Roberts).