Hi! My name is Christina Berwick, and I am New York and New Jersey certified reading specialist and English Language Arts teacher. For three years, I served in several teaching capacities at a New York State Office of Children and Family Services youth detention facility. In addition to teaching English Language Arts, I was responsible for providing reading strategy support in science classes and administering and evaluating reading and writing diagnostic exams to create student intervention plans. During the last two years of my tenure, I helped establish a distance-learning college program for graduated students. In addition to administering the program, I taught college placement exam prep classes, Remedial English 90 and 100, and English 101. Before this position, I served as a substitute teacher in a high-needs district at all grade levels. While working in a corrections facility had its many challenges, I appreciated the opportunity to work closely with students. The small class sizes enabled me to create impactful connections and tailor intensive instruction for social and educational needs. My own love for reading and writing led me to English instruction, and my teaching experiences furthered my belief in the transformative power of literacy (and a well-used comma).