Dana Center Role
Jason serves as the manager of innovation projects for Literacy First, a program of the Center dedicated to ensuring that all students learn to read by the end of second grade, allowing them to realize their full potential. His duties include leading his talented team in replicating Literacy First’s high-impact tutoring model across four school districts in two states. Jason’s team creates and delivers professional development resources, sharing Literacy First’s 30 years of expertise with teachers, coaches, reading specialists, and local nonprofits.
He also serves as the co-chair of the Greater Austin Reading Coalition’s high-impact tutoring workgroup. Jason enjoys collaborating with dedicated professionals who positively impact the lives of children and our community every day.
Before Joining the Dana Center
With 30 years of experience in education, Jason has spent 12 years working in East Austin schools as an AmeriCorps member, elementary school teacher, master reading teacher, and response to intervention specialist. As a teacher, he taught first and third grades, mentored student and novice teachers, and partnered with professors at The University of Texas at Austin to model classroom community building and literacy instruction. As a response to intervention specialist with Austin Independent School District, Jason trained and supported teachers and specialists across the district in literacy intervention and core reading instruction. He also created and delivered professional development programs focused on early literacy instruction and classroom community building.
Education
- M.Ed., Language and Literacy Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
- B.A., Developmental Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
- Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certification, The University of Texas at Austin
- Master Reading Teacher Certification, Educational Service Center, Region 13
Developed Curriculum
- Literacy First Phonics: Levels I, II, & III
- Alma del Lector Spanish Phonics Program: Kindergarten, First and Second Grade