Katie keeps Link connected to the life of the classroom teacher. Katie earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in Education from Cleveland State University. She has studied Best Practices as defined by Harvey Daniels, attended the Walloon Institute in Michigan, and spent a week at Wellesley College in Massachusetts studying Affective Teaching.

Prior to consulting, Katie was a classroom teacher for nine years. Katie has been consulting in schools since 1998, and has served as a literacy coach in the Cleveland, Warrensville Heights, and Cleveland Heights-University Heights school districts. Katie Crotty Director of Teaching & Learning Halle’s leadership in creating school teams that work together to make a difference for children is a critical component of Link’s work. Her years of experience developing leadership teams at the district level helping them create shared missions, visions, values and goals and engaging teams in the hard work of acting on those goals, creates real change in districts. Halle brings experience and expertise in nurturing true professional learning communities at all levels of schooling. She also has facilitated principal meetings where principals were given the opportunity to collaborate and foster Professional Learning Communities within their individual schools. As a coach for schools in the Cleveland, Euclid, and Cleveland Heights–University Heights school districts, Halle has provided professional development on the topics of collaborative leadership, positive school culture, and comprehensive literacy instruction. She has a Master’s degree in Education from John Carroll University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Bowling Green State University, where she was a Cum Laude graduate. Halle is a former classroom teacher in the Beachwood School District, and has been consulting in schools for over 12 years. Halle Bargar Director of Collaborative Leadership In addition, Connie is an active participant in delivering the services of the organization independently and as a team member. She is adept at seeking partnerships that will use these combined talents to empower an entire school communities to lead, collaborate and learn together, ensuring a quality education for all students.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Master’s degree in Reading Instruction from John Carroll University.Ĭonnie’s leadership style allows her to recognize, embrace and enhance the unique skills and talents that each member brings to Link. In addition to her work with Link, Connie has also taught reading education courses in the Masters Apprenticeship Program at Ursuline College. Prior to consulting, Connie was a middle school teacher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a dance teacher, and a children’s programming director. Connie has served as an educational consultant for schools across greater Cleveland for over 10 years.

The next step forward guided reading