Liz Lightner is an innovative and knowledgeable educator with a passion for synthesizing current research with her 38 years of experience to create and provide instruction for the most effective outcomes for children. She began her career as an elementary teacher after receiving her BA in Liberal Studies from UCSB and a teaching credential from UCI. Fascinated with how children learn to read, she pursued an MA in Reading and a Reading Specialist Credential from CSU Fullerton.

Throughout her career, Liz has been sought out for her expertise in education and leadership. She has served as a mentor teacher, master teacher, and most recently, literacy coach. Liz has developed and taught numerous professional learning courses in literacy, History and Social Science, and technology. Her responsibilities have included researching, piloting, and implementing Mathematics, History and Social Science, and Language Arts curriculums district wide. During the pandemic, she collaborated with a team of innovative educators to develop the first-grade CANVAS modules for language arts. Additionally, Liz served on the Curriculum Assessment and Review Team, working with a panel of teachers, administrators, and district personnel to select learning programs and assessments.

In her most recent role as a TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment), Liz worked with fellow teachers, administrators, and experts to develop a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) program at the district and school levels. Her responsibilities included assessing students’ needs, analyzing data at various levels to determine the effectiveness of intervention programs, and providing Tier 2 and Tier 3 reading interventions to students K-5.

Although retired from her full-time teaching position, Liz remains dedicated to her journey as a scholar of reading. She stays informed on current research and practice through her memberships in the International Reading Association and the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education. Liz also tutors private clients in reading using Orton-Gillingham methods and works as a substitute teacher for the Capistrano Unified School District. Liz received the honor of Teacher of the Year for her school, recognizing her exceptional contributions to education.