Better Data, Stronger Starts: How Washington County School District Achieved Remarkable Early Literacy Growth

Better Data, Stronger Starts: How Washington County School District Achieved Remarkable Early Literacy Growth

Wednesday, March 4, 2026
12PM Eastern | 10AM Mountain

Kindergarten literacy proficiency increased from 74% to 91%

Washington County School District set a bold goal: to ensure 100% of their kindergarten students mastered foundational literacy skills early and make that progress visible, measurable, and sustainable across schools.

Join us for a webinar led by the people who made it happen: Kindergarten specialist Charise Gardner, literacy coordinator Kathy Hall, and implementation specialist Jennifer Throndsen, PhD as they share how a clear vision, aligned instructional practices, and real-time data helped Washington County dramatically improve early literacy outcomes.

What You’ll Learn

· How a clear, shared vision and aligned actions drove system-wide early literacy gains
· The strategies used to overcome implementation barriers and build consistency across schools
· The long-term impact on student learning as cohorts advanced through the grades

Jennifer Throndsen, PhD
Implementation Specialist | Literacy Leader
With more than 20 years of experience across classroom, district, and state roles, Jennifer brings deep expertise in designing and sustaining literacy initiatives that lead to measurable improvement.

Charise Gardner, M.Ed.
Kindergarten Grade Level Specialist | District Leader
Charise Gardner is the Kindergarten Grade Level Specialist for Washington County School District in St. George, Utah. With 21 years in education, she brings deep classroom and district-level experience to her work supporting early learning.

After spending 15 years teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade, Charise transitioned to a district role six years ago, where she now partners with teachers to strengthen instruction and improve student outcomes.

Kathy Hall
Elementary Literacy Coordinator I Washington County School District
Kathy Hall is an educator with 30 years of experience in elementary education. She currently serves as the Elementary Literacy Coordinator for a district of 28 elementary schools, where she leads efforts to strengthen literacy instruction, support teachers, and improve reading outcomes for students.

Kathy holds a master’s degree and is a State LETRS Facilitator for Utah, providing professional learning grounded in the science of reading and evidence-based instructional practices. She is passionate about ensuring every child develops strong foundational literacy skills and about empowering educators through meaningful, practical professional development.