MLA Connect: Literacy Essentials & Libraries: Supporting Michigan Families Through Coherent Literacy Practices

Tuesday, July 14, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join Shellie Gohl, MAISA Early Literacy Professional Learning Coordinator, for an insightful session designed to connect the foundational work of libraries with Michigan's statewide literacy priorities. This presentation explores how library staff already champion early literacy and provides tools to make that crucial work even more visible and impactful for the families they serve. 

View presentation slides (pdf)

What are the "Literacy Essentials"? 

The Essential Instructional Practices (often called the "Literacy Essentials") are a suite of resources developed by the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA). 

•  Research-Backed: They are informed by research, grounded in the Science of Reading, and created in partnership with researchers. 
• A Unified Vision: They provide one coherent literacy vision from Birth through 12th grade. 
• A Standard of Care: Much like practice guides in medicine, they establish a minimum "standard of care" for supporting children's literacy development across the state. 

How This Session Supports Libraries and Patrons 

This session is not about turning librarians into classroom teachers; rather, it is about recognizing and naming the ways library services naturally align with these proven instructional practices. Participants will learn how to build shared literacy language between schools and libraries to better support families. 

Key Takeaways for Library Staff 

• Maximizing Everyday Interactions: Discover how every conversation in the library whether at the desk, during storytime, or with a caregiver is a valuable literacy moment. 
• Aligning Existing Practices: See how standard library offerings, such as dialogic reading, multilingual storytimes, take-home literacy kits, and accessible book displays, directly support the Literacy Essentials. 
• Empowering Families: Gain access to family-friendly resources, including Birth-to-Age-3 and Pre-K literacy flipbooks, that help caregivers realize they already have "literacy superpowers" through simple, everyday interactions. 
• Summer Learning Integration: Learn how to utilize free, high-quality resources from the Michigan Learning Channel (MLC), including summer activity books, bingo cards, and broadcast schedules, to keep children engaged in reading and learning all summer long. 

Speaker

Shellie Gohl
Professional Learning Coordinator for Regional Coaching, Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators

Shellie Gohl currently serves as the MAISA Professional Learning Coordinator for Regional Coaching. She brings 25 years of experience in education, including multiple K–6 teaching positions in Alpena Public Schools and time as an instructional coach. Prior to her current role, Shellie held administrative leadership positions at the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District (AMA ESD), including Coordinator of Early Learning & Literacy and Director of Instruction. In these roles, she led and supported programs and initiatives that served children and educators from birth through 12th grade. She is the past chair and a current member of the Early Literacy Task Force, and a former member of both the General Education Leadership Network (GELN) and the Early Childhood Administrators Network (ECAN). Shellie also facilitates MAISA’s Early Literacy Coaches Intensive Institutes. A committed learner and leader, she is an alumna of both the MASA Horizon Leadership Academy and the Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) Superintendent Academy.  

Registration Rates

This session is FREE to attend!

View Recording at
MLA Connect On Demand

Event Policies 

Consent

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Cancellation

Cancellations for MLA online and virtual events must be received in writing by e-mail no later than five (5) business days prior to the program in order to qualify for a refund. Within five (5) business days of the event, no refund will be issued. Registrations received within five (5) days of the program are not eligible for a refund. No-shows will be invoiced. A $10.00 processing fee will be applied to refunds for MLA Connect webinars.