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About Our Trainers
Because we have been (and many still are) real teachers ourselves, we are pros at working with adult learners. We know what it takes to create a fast-paced, interactive, teacher-engaging training.
We know how tedious some in-service training can be…some of us used to be the “bad kids” in the back of the room!
We are passionate, dedicated, and experienced trainers who have used these strategies in our classrooms on a day-to-day basis with real students. We can provide in-depth answers to questions and offer many implementation ideas. We are experts at interweaving these strategies across content areas and grade levels. Our sense of humor and flexibility allow us to immediately adapt to the needs of the group.
Click on a trainer's name to read the biography:
- Alice Greiner
- Barbara Coddington
- Nancy Conway
- Mary Fitzgerald
- Barbara Hermanson
- Gwen Karas
- Jennifer Letheby
- Christy Lyle
- Theresa Riege
- Peg Sage
- Carolyn Simmons
- Laura Swanson
- Jean Wang
- Heather Warakomski
Alice Greiner
Alice Greiner is a true believer in the strategies she offers you in The Write Tools.
As an elementary, middle school, and high school teacher, she has implemented these techniques with thousands of students during her 23 years in the classroom. As a Title I reading specialist, she has witnessed the power of these tools for at-risk readers and writers. As an educational consultant for more than a decade, she has seen first-hand what these strategies can do to empower teachers to truly be teachers of writing rather than assigners of writing. As a parent, she has watched her two sons (one a natural writer, the other the poster child for “I hate to write”) blossom into confident, organized communicators.
Alice’s years of classroom experience, mostly working in high-poverty, high English-learner schools, help her bring to educators a down-to-earth, practical approach to writing. Her relaxed style, sense of humor, and “learn from my mistakes” anecdotes help participants in her workshops feel immediately comfortable. After several hours with Alice, participants often comment, “You really have been a teacher, haven’t you?” Alice considers this the highest form of praise.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Alice attended the University of Illinois for her first two years of college where she participated in a pilot teacher training program that placed teacher candidates in classrooms immediately. During her sophomore year, she discovered there really was life outside the plains of Illinois, so she transferred to the University of Denver to finish her undergraduate degree in English and education. After teaching for a number of years, she completed her master’s degree in middle school education, with a reading emphasis, through the University of Northern Colorado.
In l994, while still teaching full time, she began to offer workshops in reading and writing strategies. As schools discovered what Alice had to offer, and as they began to get great results from the in-depth support she provided, Alice made the difficult decision to leave her teaching career to consult full time. Several years later, Alice began to slowly add talented colleagues to her consulting group. This cadre of extremely experienced, very professional, yet down-to-earth trainers is making a difference for educators and students all across the United States.
Barbara Coddington
Barbara received her B.A. from Dakota Wesleyan University and her master’s of education from Lesley College. A middle school teacher for 29 years, Barbara taught in Iowa, South Dakota, and most recently Littleton, Colorado. Her success as a teacher and trainer lies in her flexibility, her strong organizational skills, and her mild-mannered enthusiasm. She works well with all age groups and adapts writing strategies to fit each situation.
After attending writing workshops taught by Alice Greiner in the 1990s, Barbara immediately used the strategies in her classroom. Students no longer groaned when given a writing assignment; in fact, boys began asking, “Do we get to write today?” Barb’s passion for teaching writing strategies stems from her desire to unlock the “how to” mystery for each child.
To maintain high energy as a trainer, Barb simply looks to the teachers she trains. “Teachers across our nation spark my enthusiasm with their eagerness to learn and their positive feedback . . . Teachers are life-long learners who will extend themselves in order to help their students.” During a workshop break, one teacher Barb was training commented,
“Where were you 30 years ago? I could have been using these strategies with my third graders all of these years.”
Family ranks as Barb’s favorite joy. Along with international travel, reading opens new worlds to her, and music soothes her soul.
Nancy Conway
Nancy received her B.S. from Texas Tech University and her master's degree in education from Colorado State University. In her 18 years of teaching primary students in Littleton, Colorado schools, she learned to teach writing “by the seat of my pants.” She knew there were ways to bring strategies down to the primary level and make primary students successful writers, so, now she’s pleased to be able to share these practical strategies with others.
Many teachers do not feel good about themselves as writers; Nancy loves putting them at ease and building their confidence. Having worked as a trainer for six years now, Nancy gets her enthusiasm from the teachers, students, new situations, and the gratitude expressed to her. “Teachers are some of the finest human beings you could ever meet. Having a job that allows me the opportunity to spend time with teachers is a dream come true.”
Nancy’s other loves are golf and her three grandchildren. She enjoys taking her grandkids to the “House of Bounce” and bouncing until they are too tired to stand. She also has a passion for baking and reading.
Mary Fitzgerald
Mary Fitzgerald obtained her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. She also has a master's degree in curriculum, instruction, and assessment from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mary has more than 20 years of classroom teaching experience in grades K-8. She has worked in public and private school systems on the East Coast, the Midwest, and currently in Colorado. Mary has spent the last 12 years working as a staff developer and teacher mentor for the Douglas County School District, just south of Denver, Colorado.
Because of her full-time work in an elementary school, Mary is frequently in classrooms modeling and implementing the writing strategies she teaches. She is passionate about teaching these writing strategies because they connect to all areas of curriculum and are truly the best way to assess student learning. Mary states, “As a young teacher, I felt most insecure about teaching writing. Now I share with teachers, both rookies and veterans, easy ways to teach children how to improve their writing and love it along the way! Teaching students writing strategies teaches them critical life skills.”
When not working, Mary enjoys vacationing in Minnesota and Arizona, and loves to travel internationally.
Barbara Hermanson
Barbara received her B.S. degree in English education from the University of Nebraska and her M.A. degree in adult literacy from the University of Northern Colorado. With 26 years of experience teaching language arts, reading, and social studies in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado, and experience in using these writing strategies in her own classroom, Barbara is an effective trainer.
She witnessed the immediate effects of implementing these strategies in her own classroom, where most of her students were inner-city immigrant children with a language other than English spoken at home. “I began to apply the simple, logical, and concrete writing strategies with them, and their ability to communicate literally took off.” Barbara was so inspired by these strategies that she retired early to spend more time “influencing the influencers.”
The love of teaching and experiencing the success of the teachers she trains keeps Barbara enthused about her work. Her personal success stories include tutoring an IEP student and taking him from a failing grade to a 95% average in his composition class. She also taught a student who came to her class having spoken English for only a year and a half. With these writing strategies and the student’s perseverance, he is now an honor student at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Barbara and her husband are busy learning Spanish as they travel to Honduras twice a year to teach these writing strategies. When not studying Spanish, she’s busy with her five grandchildren or taking piano lessons.
Gwen Karas
Gwen graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a graduate degree in remedial reading. For the past 25 years, Gwen has taught grades K-5 for the Aurora, Colorado, public schools. As an elementary teacher, she knows that writing is a critical piece of everyday instruction. Gwen integrates the foundations of writing into all subject areas in her classroom throughout the day. For the past eight years, she has been training educators in Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona how to effectively teach writing strategies .
Because she is an active teacher, Gwen is able to bring many student samples to her trainings. She is able to relate to teachers who are teaching children who have never held a pencil, all the way up to students who need instruction on researching and writing essays. Gwen enjoys training teachers because “nothing compares to the satisfaction I get when working with a group of teachers who can get as excited about teaching writing as I am!”
At the end of a busy day, Gwen enjoys time with her husband and two wonderful, active children. She marks each year by helping to make Loukoumathes, a Greek dessert, for 40,000 people.
Jennifer Letheby
Jennifer Letheby received her B.A. in sociology and education from the University of Denver, and her M.A. in educational leadership from the University of Northern Colorado. Jen has been in education since 1994, working as a Title I teacher, fourth and fifth grade teacher and middle school literacy coach. She has been a consultant with The Write Tools since 1999.
Enthusiasm and humor are what Jennifer brings to her trainings. Because of her experience working with all levels of students and teachers, she is a messenger of knowledge and creative ideas brought straight from the classroom. Jennifer’s enthusiasm comes from the ability of these strategies to create confident, successful writers. “Every time a student feels successful, his or her self-esteem goes up a notch, and it’s amazing what a confident kid can accomplish.”
Teaching demonstration lessons in different classrooms is one of Jennifer’s favorite parts of her job. “Because I don’t have the treat of having my own classroom anymore, I get to be like a favorite aunt. The kids typically enjoy having a guest in the classroom, and I have the advantage of freshness. …I’m ready to work with each and every student with 100% enthusiasm and energy.”
Jennifer’s busy schedule includes time with her husband, son, and two dogs. She loves to cook, entertain friends, and go fly fishing!
Christy Lyle
Christy received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She went on to earn her teaching certification at Metro State in Denver and then a master’s degree in educational counseling at the University of Phoenix. Her teaching career has ranged from teaching in the Littleton, Colorado public schools to teaching English as a foreign language in Prague and Florence.
Christy has been a trainer since 2000 and her energy is contagious. Christy says, "I was one of those kids that hated to write, was never taught how to write, and always struggled as a writer. As an adult, I learned these strategies and had many 'A-ha' moments. I realized immediately that if a person has the right tools, they can write successfully!" It has become Christy's passion to help as many kids and teachers as possible. Her proudest moments are when teachers say "My life would've been so much easier if I would've had this as a child!" Or when a teacher comments how a particular child has always struggled with writing and now they're doing it...without argument!
When Christy is not training, she enjoys time with her husband, 2 boys, and mastiff, Bella. A native of Colorado, she has an adventurous spirit and loves to travel, golf, ski and spend time with friends.
Theresa Riege
Theresa earned her undergraduate degree with a major in elementary education and minors in Spanish and bilingual/bicultural education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She earned her master's degree in professional development through the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. She has taught grades K-7 in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Colorado. Theresa is also trained in Thinking Maps, Kagan's Cooperative Learning, Cognitive Coaching and Facilitation Training. In 2007, Theresa was named Teacher of the Year in Douglas County, Colorado where she currently is a Building Resource Teacher; providing professional development and mentoring to all staff.
Having taught writing strategies in her own classroom for 15 years and then as a staff developer for 15 years she is well versed in the difficulties teachers face. Theresa states, “I pride myself on my ability to know what is important. The job of a teacher can be difficult and time-consuming, so I work hard to make staff development meaningful. I keep up to date on current research in all content areas and try to differentiate staff development to meet the needs of the group.”
Theresa’s ability to positively affect so many teachers and students through her trainings is what keeps her going. She enjoys meeting educators from various cities and states because she knows she will learn from them as they learn from her.
Theresa lives in Littleton, Colorado and enjoys biking and skiing with her husband and two children. She slips away from it all to Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, but also considers the simple pleasure of her monthly book club meeting a highlight in her life.
Peg Sage
Peg Sage earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Idaho State University and her master’s degree in Whole Learning from Regis University. She retired from the classroom after teaching for 33 years. Peg has been a trainer since 1999.
Peg’s many years of experience in teaching writers of all levels bring authenticity to her trainings. Peg says, “I have been there and I have much to share. These strategies make sense and help teachers and students feel successful. I like to do what works.”
Peg realizes the value of training that can be used immediately in the classroom. The enthusiasm generated from teachers as they learn and practice The Write Tools’ strategies keeps Peg excited as well.
In her spare time, Peg volunteers for Denver CASA and enjoys gardening, tennis, and music. She and her husband live in Centennial, Colorado and have two grown children.
Carolyn Simmons
Carolyn earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education degree from Miami University and her master’s degree in curriculum and supervision from the University of Denver. She also holds a Type D Principal’s certificate. Carolyn has spent 7 years of her teaching career in the elementary grades, 19 years teaching literacy and social studies at the middle school level, and 4 years as a literacy coach and instructional resource teacher.
Carolyn has been a trainer for the past 14 years and likes to keep her training fast paced and fun. Her clear understanding of issues such as data assessment and differentiating teaching for a variety of learners makes her stand out as a trainer. Carolyn states, “As I’ve worked with teachers all over the United States, I’ve learned to appreciate how hard teachers work and how much they care about their students. The fact that I have something to offer that makes their job more successful and fun is a gift for me. I love that what I enjoy doing so much makes a positive difference in classrooms.”
Carolyn’s down time is spent playing bridge, traveling, reading, and visiting with family and friends.
Laura Swanson
Laura Swanson earned her bachelor’s degree at the State University of New York-Oswego and her master's degree in educational psychology/gifted education from the University of Connecticut. With more than 30 years of teaching experience, she has worked with a wide variety of learners. As teacher to a classroom of brain-injured students, K-8 gifted resource teacher, adult literacy/home economics instructor in Africa, and a regular classroom teacher, Laura has always worked to meet the particular needs of her students.
Her strength as a trainer comes from this wealth of experience and her practical, day-to-day knowledge of how classrooms function. Beause writing is the record of students’ thinking and learning, Laura’s greatest satisfaction in teaching writing strategies comes from helping students become proficient writers and gain confidence in their writing skills. Training teachers to use these tools extends vital skills to more students and compels Laura to continue as a trainer.
Laura has seen how these strategies can be used in subjects outside of language arts. “After a summer workshop, a middle school science teacher in California successfully used many of the writing strategies in her science classes. Her excitement for two-column notes, summary without words, and speeches was contagious and shows how easily content-area teachers can use the writing tools.”
Laura lives in Aurora, Colorado, with her husband and two daughters. In addition to spending time laughing with her family, she enjoys reading, traveling, and low-maintenance gardening.
Jean Wang
Jean graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a B.A. in political science-international relations. She went on to earn her teaching credentials in elementary education from San Jose State University. She currently teaches various grade levels in elementary education with the Cupertino Union School District. During the summer months she works with teachers to improve the writing process taught in the classroom.
As one of The Write Tools trainers, Jean isn’t afraid to share personal successes and blunders with her participants. She believes that good writing is the foundation for higher learning and has countless experiences with student and adult success in using these strategies. Jean says, “I let teachers know that I know what it feels like to fear writing. It’s important for teachers to know there are many ways to overcome this fear, and that I will be with them every step of the way.”
During Jean’s free time, she loves to game fish and travel and spend time with her dogs.
Heather Warakomski
Heather obtained her B.S. in business from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She received her teacher certification training in elementary education from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Heather’s experience prior to becoming a trainer for The Write Tools includes teaching primary and intermediate grade levels for seven years in Colorado, South Carolina, Virginia, and Hawaii. She also served as a Title 1 reading teacher and the building writing coordinator for a year in Hawaii.
Because Heather taught both primary and intermediate grades, she is able to articulate various writing strategies viable at either level. She uses an entertaining, creative approach to problem solving when working with teachers. Heather’s drive as a trainer comes from her desire to share these strategies and bring out the best writing skills in every student she encounters.
As with many of the trainers, Heather is passionate about teaching these strategies because of her own success with her students. “A previous class of mine was never very excited when I announced it was time for our writing lessons. However, after teaching these tools, the class cheered when the same announcement was made. My students who once struggled to get a sentence or two on paper at the beginning of the year were now writing complete essays and enriching their papers with their own voice.”
Heather’s sense of adventure goes way beyond the classroom. She and her husband enjoy adventurous travel. She has bungee-jumped in New Zealand, scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef and did some shark-cage diving off the North Shore in Hawaii.