CAN 
US/Global
JoEllen McCarthy
JoEllen McCarthy is a literacy expert, speaker, and author dedicated to integrating academic and affective learning through inclusive mentor texts. She supports educators and students by promoting joyful, student-centered literacy practices that connect reading, writing, and life skills.
JoEllen McCarthy
JoEllen McCarthy is a lifelong learner and educator who started her career in New York City public schools. She has the privilege of serving students and educators as a visiting teacher, literacy coach, and staff developer. As a national literacy advisor for Bookelicious and book ambassador for multiple organizations, JoEllen is widely recognized for her passion for literature and her commitment to using inclusive mentor texts to enrich learning.
Her research and teaching focus on student-centered, responsive pedagogy that places students at the heart of the curriculum. She is committed to supporting whole-school communities and works to connect the joy and science of reading to all aspects of literacy learning. JoEllen works with the Educator Collaborative, Bookelicious, and nonprofits such as the Carol Pufahl Literacy Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to expand literacy and learning opportunities for children, educators, and families in the most underserved communities and schools.
As a speaker recognized across North America, JoEllen champions the power of read-alouds and demonstrates the ways we can layer our academic and affective standards for lessons in reading, writing, and life. She explores her vision for this work for teachers, families, and students in her book, Layers of Learning: Using Read-Alouds to Connect Literacy and Caring Conversations (2020). JoEllen’s work has been featured in publications for the International Literacy Association, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and more.
An expert in children’s reading development and rigorous elementary literacy instruction, JoEllen is also the founder of Always Learning, a literacy-based EdCamp model in New York. This annual “unconference” offers a participant-driven learning and networking experience designed for educators and children’s literature creators, promoting access, engagement, and book joy.
JoEllen holds degrees from Loyola University Maryland, New York University, and an administrative degree specializing in staff development from Hofstra University.
