Constructing Strong Foundations of Early Literacy

Malinda E. Jones is an Associate Professor Emeritus of Early Childhood Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She began her career teaching preschool through second grade. She taught courses in early childhood education, literacy development (birth through aged 5), and primary (K-1) literacy with field supervision. She earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Towson State University, and her M.A. in Early Childhood Education and Ed.D. in Reading Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She believes that intentional responsive teaching is both a powerful mindset and a pedagogy critical to ensuring all children become those for whom reading and writing comes easily and remains personally meaningful. Ann E. Christensen has been an educator for more than 40 years. She has been a classroom teacher, a teacher coach and professional development leader, and a district level Early Childhood Specialist and Intervention Coordinator. She earned her B.A. from the University of Northern Colorado, her M.A. from the University of Colorado at Denver, and achieved National Teacher Board Certification in Language Arts. She is currently retired and working as a substitute teacher. Ann believes in the power of planning for responsive teaching and supports teachers in developing that power and expertise. She actively supports inclusion, equity, and non-racist education for children and for the adults who nurture and teach them.