About Me

Being a lifelong learner has afforded me the opportunity to:

• notice and wonder about life, learning, and literacy
• write with passion, an observant eye, and voice
• ardently champion voice as a means to be creatively expressive
• passionately promote positivity
• encourage the use of digital technologies to integrate with the arts and literacy in student-centered classrooms 
• be an ardent proponent of lifelong learning, reading, writing, and vigorous student-centered classrooms

Currently, I am:

• spending my unretirement days as an ELA Consultant, using my extensive experience as a reading teacher, literacy specialist, and administrative leader to energize and impact K-12 teaching and literacy learning 
• Moderator of #NYEDChat, the voice of New York State educators and beyond, (a professional learning community, PLN, on Twitter where I communicate with various state PLNs, international communities, and global educational and business community leaders 
• Wonder Lead Ambassador for Wonderopolis.
• blogger
• poet
• writer
• Creator of the Reflect With Me Galleries of Artistic Expressions
• a member of the following blogging communities-Celebrate This Week, Poetry Friday, Slice of Life, Spiritual Journey first Thursday, Two Writing Teachers, Teach Write
• presenter at local, regional, state, and national conferences
• Executive Board Member and Editor of the Long Island Language Arts Council Newsletter, News & Views
• Member of International Literacy Association, Nassau Reading Council, National Council of Teachers of English, New York State English Council

Links to My Profiles:

• My Blog: Beyond LiteracyLink http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/carol.varsalona
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-varsalona-56387169
• Twitter https://twitter.com/cvarsalona
• Wonder Ground Website: http://wg.wonderopolis.org/profile/CarolVarsalona

Background:

I have extensive experience as a districtwide director of language arts, literacy specialist/reading teacher, national/state conference presenter, and a staff developer in multiple Long Island school districts and BOCES. I am ardent about providing relevant and meaningful professional development that encourages educators to redesign their literacy landscapes into student-centered, joyful havens of inquiry-based learning where collaboration and self-efficacy is evident. Upon request, I provide customized, engaging professional development opportunities to meet the needs of leaders, teachers, and students. 

• Professional Diploma in School District Administration
• CAS in Reading
• MS in Developmental Reading
• BA in English Education

Thank you for stopping by my blog to join me on my journey.

Carol

I often write poetry about the seasons and nature on Long Island, NY.