Literacy

The Literacy Team at BrightWorks partners with district and school leaders to develop system-wide capacity to train, mentor, and coach educators in the implementation of the Minnesota READ Act. We utilize the MnMTSS Framework with the support of the COMPASS team at the Minnesota Department of Education.

Our Support

We provide direct support to District Literacy Leaders and Local Certified Facilitators in our monthly Communities of Practice. Support for paraprofessional structured literacy training will be provided through direct training sessions, a Train-the-Trainer model, and ongoing support for district trainers. Additionally, the team will assist with READ Act-aligned professional development.

2025-2026 Pathways

Explore BrightWorks Literacy PD Support and Offerings (a regularly updated Google Doc).

2026-2027 Pathways - coming soon!

Meet the BrightWorks Literacy Team

Emily Hanrahan brings over two decades of experience in education and a deep commitment to literacy development, educational coaching, and program leadership that is equity-centered and student-driven.  Her educational journey has woven through a wide range of communities—urban and rural, international and local, large districts and small charters, and pedagogical frameworks that include Orton Gillingham, IB, Montessori, Expeditionary, and Waldorf. As a trained local LETRS facilitator, she is supporting the rollout and implementation of the science of reading across Minnesota, helping districts not only deepen their understanding of the reading brain and language comprehension, but also translate that knowledge into day-to-day Tier 1 instruction. She has successfully coached across multiple grade bands to support the integration of explicit, systematic literacy instruction while at the same time, holding firm to the relational and imaginative aspects of education—those human elements that make learning joyful, meaningful, and connected.

Dawn Resch is a seasoned educator with 25 years of experience, beginning her career as a special education teacher before transitioning into literacy leadership roles. She spent 16 years in special education and later served as a Structured Literacy Specialist and an Elementary Teaching and Learning Coordinator. Dawn has worked across several Minnesota districts and holds advanced credentials, including a Master’s in Special Education, a Reading License, and an Ed. Specialist degree in Administration. She is Orton-Gillingham certified, has trained teachers in the approach for ten years, and is a certified local facilitator for LETRS and OL&LA.

Molly Schned has worked in education for 18 years. She began her teaching journey in the Czech Republic as an English teacher. From there, she did a year of service in City of Lakes AmeriCorps before becoming a full-time ELA teacher in 2009. She has taught ELA to 8th and 6th grades in St. Paul and 9th, 10th, and 12th grades in Mounds View. She then worked as a literacy and instructional coach in Minneapolis for three years before moving to BrightWorks. In addition to her Master’s degree in English Education, she also earned a Master’s in Public Affairs from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota in 2019. She has been trained in LETRS, LETRS local facilitation, CAREIALL, and Disciplinary Literacy. She also has extensive training in the use of Courageous Conversations and Culturally Responsive Teaching and School Leadership.

Kelly Sokolowski is a dedicated educator with 26 years of experience across K–5 classrooms, both in-person and online. She began her career in the Chicago and Wisconsin school systems before moving to Minnesota, where she taught in multiple districts and most recently served as an elementary literacy coach in Fridley. Kelly holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, is trained in Orton-Gillingham, and has also worked as a center director at Learning Rx, supporting students with learning challenges. She has led professional development on the science of reading, literacy best practices, culturally responsive teaching, and data-driven instruction.

COMPASS Funding Statements

COMPASS is made possible in part using federal funding ALN 84.010, Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies; ALN 84.367A, Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II, Part A); ALN 84.424A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program (Title IV, Part A); ALN 84.173, Special Education – Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities; and ALN 84.181, Special Education – Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities. 

State funding for COMPASS is provided by Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 10, Section 10, Subd. 8; Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 2, Section 24, Subd. 5;  Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 4, Section 30, Subd. 5; and Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 12, Section 8, Subd. 2.

COMPASS content does not necessarily represent the official views or policy of the U.S. Department of Education or the Minnesota Department of Education.