The Director of English Education for Concept Schools is a network wide expert in literacy and works with school to advise and guide them on curriculum choices, instructional development that allows teachers to implement their own artistry with the science of the curriculum. As a co-collaborator on curriculum adaptions, instructional delivery, standards/assessment mastery and re-teaching suggestions for teachers, he reinforces the importance of instructional delivery to overall student learning by working to build capacity in all Concepts’ talented teachers.
Two time winner of the Joy Of Teaching award from Walgreens
DRIVE award finalist
Subject of the film Reciprocal Teaching: A Variation
Former Co-Director of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Chicago chapter
Former Board member of the Chicago Area Writing Project (CAWP)
Former International Baccalaureate (IB) Trainer/Professional Developer for the Middle Years Program (MYP)
Former Classroom Teacher – IB Language A, Theory of Knowledge, American, British, and World Literature
Professional Development Specialist in Writing Workshop
BA in Communication Arts, University of Wisconsin- Madison
Former Director of Wisconsin Union Director Art Galleries
M.Ed. in Secondary Education, The George Washington University
Masters in Reading, Concordia University (In process)
Professional Photographer
Published Writer
Concept English has an Advisory Board and, most schools, a Department Chair to help the director revise and update curriculum, observe best practice, and promote professional dialogues with other colleagues. 2019/2020 Department Chairs:
Chicago Math & Science Academy – Elizabeth Cobb
Gateway Science Academy Fyler – Katherine Clarke Middle School, Sarah Newton High School
HSA Belmont – Antionette Glazewski
HSA Cincinnati, Sandra Felicies
HSA Cleveland High School, Daniel Horton
HSA Columbus High School, Kyle Jordan
HSA Columbus Middle School, Danielle Blackstone
HSA Dayton High School, Victoria Holman
HSA Denison Middle School, Katherine Mills
HSA McKinley Park, Alexandra McClellan-Bernard Middle School, Melissa Cotto High School
HSA Southwest Chicago, Aubrey Smith
HSA Springfield, Melissa Brown
HSA Toledo, Diana Sampson
HSA Youngstown, Alyson Salmen-Bable
MMSA Dequindre, Tyesha Bowens
Milwaukee Math & Science Academy, Ashley Legler
The Director also creates and reviews assessments, oversees Disciplinary Literacy Plans and RtI implementation working closely with Department Chair people and Assistant Principals, at the school level, to facilitate communication across all grades. Mr. Flaherty selected Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Journeys and Collections as the primary resources for grades K-5 and 6-12 respectively. To reach the Director of English Education you may email, or call:
Concept Schools
Director of English Education – Andy Flaherty
aflaherty@conceptschools.org
(847) 227-9822
Concept Schools offers a number of special event programs throughout the year to provide experience for students and parents in the following areas:
For information regarding the Concept Schools ‘ Writing and Spoken Word Competitions – Andy Flaherty (aflaherty@conceptschools.org)