Jenelle Williams is a Literacy Consultant within the Leadership and Continuous Improvement unit at Oakland Schools, an intermediate school district supporting the 28 districts in Oakland County, Michigan.
She joined the organization in 2017 following 18 years of experience in public schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She has served as a classroom teacher, IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator, teacher leader, and educational technology coach. An IB Educator and Examiner since 2013, Jenelle leads professional learning workshops and marks e-assessments for the International Baccalaureate Organization.
She holds an Education Specialist in Leadership degree and a Master’s degree in Reading and Language Arts through Oakland University. In addition, Jenelle serves as an Adjunct Professor in Grand Valley State University’s Graduate Program. Jenelle is passionate about supporting teachers, building leaders, and central office administrators in the area of secondary literacy, and she is especially excited to be able to support Michigan’s work around disciplinary literacy through her role as Co-Chair of the statewide Disciplinary Literacy Task Force. Jenelle also serves literacy on a state level as part of the editorial team of Michigan Reading Journal and on a national level as a Member-At-Large for the National Council of Teachers of English Conference on English Leadership.
On a personal level, Jenelle enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, along with their cat and dogs. She is most peaceful when practicing yoga or spending time on Lake Michigan beaches.
Publications:
Gabrion, Laura and Williams, Jenelle (2022) “Disrupting the Status Quo in Disciplinary Literacy Professional Learning”, English Leadership Quarterly: Vol. 44: Iss. 3, Article 1.
Gabrion, Laura; Renna, Michelle; Schrauben, Megan; and Williams, Jenelle (2020) “Essential Practices for Disciplinary Literacy Instruction in Secondary Classrooms,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 53 : Iss. 1 , Article 14.
Gabrion, Laura and Williams, Jenelle (2022) “Taking Up the Work: Snapshots of Disciplinary Literacy Instruction, Part I,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 54: Iss. 3, Article 10.
Gabrion, Laura and Williams, Jenelle (2022) “Taking Up the Work: Snapshots of Disciplinary Literacy Instruction, Part II,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 55: Iss. 1, Article 15.
Williams, J., Katakowski, D., & Witt, K. (2024). Language instruction to support adolescent reading [White paper]. Oakland Schools. http://bit.ly/4erWNDy
Williams, Jenelle and Haffner, Jay (2024) “How Do We Get These Kids Reading? Supporting Readerly Identity in Secondary English Classrooms,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 56: Iss. 3, Article 11. Available at: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/mrj/vol56/iss3/11
Williams, Jenelle (2024) “Literacy Across the Disciplines: A Way to Re-Engage Secondary Students,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 56: Iss. 2, Article 10. Available at: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/mrj/vol56/iss2/10
Williams, Jenelle and Gabrion, Laura (2022) “Teacher of Literature and Literacy: Rethinking Secondary English Language Arts,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 54: Iss. 2, Article 12.
Williams, Jenelle (2023) “The “Reading Wars” are Back: What are the Implications for Adolescent Literacy?” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 56: Iss. 1, Article 13.
Williams, Jenelle; Angel, Stacie; Wilcox, Jennifer; and Church, Angela (2023) “Centering Community in Disciplinary Literacy Implementation: One District’s Story,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 55: Iss. 2, Article 10.
Williams, Jenelle and Kortlandt, Megan (2021) “Big Kids Need Books Too: Lessons Learned From Building Classroom Libraries at the Secondary Level,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 53 : Iss. 2 , Article 11.
Williams, Jenelle (2021) “Essential Practices for Disciplinary Literacy Instruction in Secondary Classrooms,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 53 : Iss. 2 , Article 12.
Williams, Jenelle (2021) “Grey Clouds and Silver Linings: Professional Learning for Secondary Educators during COVID-19,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 53 : Iss. 3 , Article 10.
Williams, Jenelle and Gabrion, Laura (2021) “Lift Every (Student) Voice with the Essential Instructional Practices for Disciplinary Literacy,” Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 54 : Iss. 1 , Article 11.