Yolanda Coleman: Alabama Reading Initiative Region 11

Language is Everything! Language is Everything!

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Alabama principals are still sharing the love for our ARI Local Reading Specialists!

Shea Hartman
Region 11, Opp City Schools
Opp Elementary School

Shoutout to our LRS, Shea Hartman! She is loved and valued by every teacher, administrator, and staff member at our school. She works tirelessly to coach and mentor our reading teachers, always with a smile and an encouraging word. We are beyond blessed to have her at Opp Elementary School.

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Alabama principals are still sharing the love for our ARI Local Reading Specialists!

Jennifer Packard
Region 11, Daleville City
Windham Elementary

We are so lucky to have Mrs. Packard as our Local Reading Specialist—she is innovative, committed, and truly passionate about literacy instruction. She loves supporting teachers, is an incredible team player, and always brings energy, creativity, and a fun-loving spirit to her work. Windham is a better place because of her heart for kids, dedication to learning, and positive impact on our school family.

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Alabama principals are still sharing the love for our ARI Local Reading Specialists!

Allison Rominger
Region 11, Dale County Board of Education
Midland City Elementary School

Mrs. Rominger is our amazing reading specialist! She strengthens literacy instruction across our school! Through thoughtful coaching, modeling, and collaborative planning, Mrs. Rominger empowers teachers with practical strategies that support all readers and help build confident, consistent literacy practices in every classroom. We would be lost without her knowledge and support!

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Alabama principals are still sharing the love for our ARI Local Reading Specialists!

Shelby Yance
Region 11, Troy City
Troy Elementary

As a first year LRS, Shelby has done an amazing job of building relationships with the 24+ teachers that she supports. Shelby is passionate about data informed decision making and utilizing the Science of Reading when coaching teachers. She hosted a Region 11 Coaching Lab in January and did a terrific job of co-teaching and leading a collaborative debrief for other LRS to observe. We are lucky to have Shelby at TES!

A little note from a principal’s heart,
Celebrating an LRS who sets literacy apart.
With passion, purpose, and reading know-how—
This shoutout shares the love we feel right now. 💖📚

Carlee Aldridge
Region 11, Dale County
Ariton School

"We are beyond blessed to have the absolute best literacy reading specialist at Ariton School! From leading deep data dives and masterfully modeling lessons to jumping in for team teaching and lesson planning, Mrs. Aldridge truly does it all. She is a true blessing to our faculty and students, and we couldn’t be more grateful for her expertise and heart! 🍎📚"

Big cheers for one of the absolute rockstars of GCES — our fabulous ARI Reading Coach, Jenna Justice! ✨📖

Mrs. Justice is the heart behind so many reading wins in our building. From coaching teachers and supporting students to sharing creative strategies and endless encouragement, she makes literacy come alive every single day. If there’s a book, a plan, or a kiddo who needs a boost, she’s already on it (probably with a smile and a stack of sticky notes in hand 😉).

Because of her passion and dedication, our Bullpups are growing stronger, more confident readers — and our teachers feel supported every step of the way. That’s the Justice effect! 💜

GCES is better, brighter, and more book-loving because of you.
Thank you for all you do, Mrs. Justice ! 📚🐾