"It is with great enthusiasm that I write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Julie Warum in support of her application to serve as a Literacy Specialist with Heggerty. I have had the privilege of working alongside Julie in Northville Public Schools, where she has distinguished herself as a passionate, skilled, and visionary educator—particularly in the area of early literacy.
Julie is deeply committed to building foundational reading skills in young learners, a passion that aligns perfectly with Heggerty’s mission and the Science of Reading. Her belief in structured, research-based instruction is not only evident in her classroom practice but also in the leadership roles she has taken on to support colleagues and advance literacy districtwide.
Beyond her classroom, Julie has consistently served as a literacy leader in our district. Her recent professional development presentations demonstrate her ability to connect emerging topics—such as the intersection of fluency and artificial intelligence—with foundational instructional strategies. She has also provided training on the implementation of UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) at both the building and district levels, ensuring her colleagues are equipped with high-quality tools and best practices.
Julie’s impact extends into curriculum development as well. She created and curated a comprehensive set of UFLI-aligned lessons and engaging K–2 literacy games, making them accessible to all staff via our district’s learning management system. This work speaks to her ability to tailor content to diverse audiences—an essential skill for a Heggerty Literacy Specialist.
One of Julie’s most admirable qualities is her willingness to support and mentor others. At the request of our leadership team, Julie opened her classroom to first-year teachers, modeling effective small-group reading instruction. During these Teacher Labs, she not only demonstrated best practices but also followed up with personalized resources and schedules to help these new educators succeed.
Julie is a collaborative, thoughtful, and deeply knowledgeable educator. Her ability to connect with colleagues, customize instruction, and advocate for strong literacy foundations makes her an ideal candidate for this role. I am fully confident in her ability to represent Heggerty with excellence and to build meaningful partnerships with schools and districts.
I wholeheartedly support Julie Warum in her next literacy adventure and recommend her without reservation. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly."
Warm regards,
Aaron Baughman
AI Strategist, Michigan Virtual
(734) 306 – 6090
abaughman@michiganvirtual.org
”Julie Warum is a dedicated and innovative educator who brings a deep understanding of literacy standards and best practices to her work. I had the pleasure of collaborating with her to integrate AI-driven strategies into literacy instruction, enhancing student engagement and fluency. Julie’s expertise in literacy, combined with her willingness to explore cutting-edge solutions, made her an invaluable partner in designing and implementing programs that truly met students’ needs. She approaches her work with both a strong foundation in research-based practices and a forward-thinking mindset, ensuring that students and educators benefit from the most effective instructional methods.
Her commitment to student success was evident in every step of our collaboration. Together, we explored and implemented AI-driven tools to support reading fluency, providing personalized and adaptive learning experiences for students. Julie’s ability to seamlessly blend traditional literacy instruction with innovative technology created a dynamic learning environment that empowered both teachers and students.
I also had the privilege of collaborating with Julie in order to extend the learning of her colleagues. Through a presentation of our work, Julie helped the teachers, principal, and District literacy coach see the potential of digital tools for improving literacy outcomes in ways that are both practical and engaging. Her ability to blend pedagogical expertise with technology integration allows her to help others see the potential of digital tools for improving literacy outcomes in ways that are both practical and engaging. Teachers left her session empowered, inspired, and equipped with strategies they could immediately implement in their classrooms. Her passion for education, combined with her deep knowledge of literacy development, makes her a standout professional in the field.”
Jennifer Lawson
Northville Public Schools
Instructional Technology Integration Coordinator
lawsonje@northvilleschools.org
"I am writing to you in regards to Ms. Julie Warum who has been an elementary teacher at Northville Public Schools since 1996. As Director of Instructional Programs and Services for Northville Schools, I have worked with Ms. Warum since the fall of 2014. At that time, I also had the opportunity to substitute for the principal of Amerman for over three months and had the pleasure of getting to know Ms. Warum. Ms. Warum is an outstanding candidate for your Part-Time Teacher Education of Elementary Reading position.
Ms. Warum is an outstanding instructor; she is organized, engaging for all students, and has truly such a positive impact on all of her students. If I had to choose a particular strength that I have personally seen in her classroom, it would be Ms. Warum’s reading instruction. Julie has such a profound understanding of “best-practice instruction”, and creates all lesson plans to support differentiation, rigor, and student-inquiry. Her students flourish as readers and writers, while all being supported by her differentiated approach. Ms. Warum is also a member of the Northville Public Schools English Language Arts Committee, which helps to implement and support best-practice instruction at all schools through a research-based practice.
Ms. Warum is also very involved in the Amerman Elementary community. She regularly attends professional development, school improvement gatherings, and school events to help make Amerman Elementary School a great place to be.
Julie Warum is experienced, hardworking, and most importantly dedicated to education. She would be a great candidate for this position."
Sandra Brock, Ph.D.
Instruction, Assessment, & MTSS Consultant
Wayne RESA
734 - 334 - 1370
“Julie Warum is an outstanding literacy teacher and consultant whose expertise, passion, and dedication to student success shine through in every aspect of her work. She has an incredible ability to design and implement virtual ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies lessons using platforms like Google Classroom, Schoology, and Seesaw, ensuring that students receive high-quality instruction regardless of the learning environment.
Her commitment to the Common Core State Standards and the Balanced Literacy Approach is evident in her thoughtful lesson planning. Julie seamlessly integrates best practices such as Read Aloud with Accountable Talk, Shared Reading, Guided Reading, and Independent Reading to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences for students. Her ability to craft English Language Arts units based on the research and insights of renowned educators like Lucy Calkins, John Hattie, and Fountas & Pinnell demonstrates her depth of knowledge and innovative teaching style.
Julie’s data-driven approach to instruction sets her apart. She expertly utilizes assessments such as F&P, Running Records, and NWEA tests to tailor lessons to meet individual student needs. Her adaptability and strategic differentiation ensure that all students, including English Language Learners, students with IEPs, and gifted learners, receive the support they need to thrive.
Beyond academics, Julie fosters a warm and inclusive learning environment. She values strong connections with students and their families, encouraging open communication and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds. Her collaboration with the MTSS team further enhances her ability to provide targeted interventions that lead to measurable student growth.
Julie Warum is an invaluable asset to any educational team. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication to literacy education make a profound impact on both students and educators. Anyone seeking an expert in literacy instruction and curriculum development will find an exceptional partner in Julie.”
Sarah Hanes
Northville Public SchoolsDistrict Literacy Coordinator
hanessa@northvilleschools.org
"It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for Ms. Julie Warum, a distinguished first-grade teacher at Amerman Elementary School, who is applying for the position of Literacy Specialist. Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Julie and have witnessed firsthand her exceptional skills and unwavering dedication to literacy education.
Julie has consistently demonstrated excellence in literacy instruction, making a significant impact on her students' reading and writing abilities. Her deep understanding of the science of reading and literacy skill development is evident in her teaching practices. Julie's ability to design and implement effective English Language Arts units, both in-person and virtually, showcases her versatility and commitment to student success.
One of Julie's standout qualities is her data-driven approach to instruction. She utilizes ongoing formative and standardized assessment measures, including Fountas & Pinnell assessments, LETRS Spelling Inventory, sight word recognition assessments, and NWEA tests, to optimize student learning through differentiated instruction. Her adeptness at analyzing data and adapting her teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of her students is truly commendable.
Julie is also deeply committed to her own professional growth and development. She has completed extensive training in Essential Coaching Practices for Elementary Literacy and is currently engaged in LETRS training, having completed Units 1-6 with an impressive score of 98%. Her dedication to continuous learning ensures that she remains at the forefront of literacy education, bringing the latest research and best practices to her classroom and colleagues.
In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Julie has played a pivotal role in mentoring and leading professional development for her peers. As a Professional Development Presenter, she has enthusiastically developed and delivered presentations on various literacy topics, including the use of Artificial Intelligence to support fluency and the integration of technology in ELA. Her experience as a Literacy Consultant and Teacher Mentor further highlights her ability to model best practice strategies, provide constructive feedback, and foster professional growth among her colleagues.
Julie's specific accomplishments and contributions to literacy education are numerous. She has served as the First Grade Chairperson, fostering a professional learning community that meets weekly to share expertise and improve teaching skills. As a School Improvement Team Leader in Reading, she has analyzed reading data from multiple sources and collaborated with colleagues to plan and develop reading goals and strategies for diverse learners. Her work as an Online Curriculum Writer and her involvement in the English Language Arts Committee demonstrate her commitment to enhancing literacy instruction across the district.
Julie Warum is an exemplary educator whose passion for literacy education, data-driven approach, and commitment to professional growth make her an ideal candidate for the Literacy Specialist position. Her ability to inspire and lead her colleagues, coupled with her deep understanding of literacy instruction, will undoubtedly make a positive impact on any educational community. I wholeheartedly recommend Julie for this position and am confident that she will excel in her new role.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or require further information.
Sincerely,
Devon M. Caudill
Northville Public Schools
Amerman Elementary School
Principal
"I| am honored to write this letter of recommendation for Julie Warum, a truly exceptional literacy coach whose expertise, dedication, and collaborative spirit have made a profound impact on my professional growth and student success.
Julie is an outstanding listener and a responsive collaborator, always meeting me where I am and tailoring her support to meet the specific needs of my classroom. Her ability to differentiate feedback is remarkable; she doesn’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions, but instead provides thoughtful, individualized guidance that is both practical and rooted in research-based best practices.
Thanks to Julie, | learned how to effectively implement a reading mini lesson and structure small, guided reading groups using data and instructional strategies that truly work. She worked closely with me to develop a realistic and sustainable schedule that allowed me to incorporate all the essential components of a balanced literacy program-—something | had previously struggled to do effectively.
Julie also delivered high-quality professional development in UFLI and in using artificial intelligence tools to improve student fluency. Her presentations were clear, concise, and cutting edge, and they left me confident and inspired to bring new strategies back to my classroom. Her ability to make complex concepts approachable and actionable is a rare and valuable talent.
Julie Warum is not only an expert in her field, but also a generous, encouraging, and dependable coach. Any educator or school would be fortunate to work with her, and |recommend her without reservation."
Jimmy O'Brien
Northville Public Schools
3rd Grade Teacher
obrienja@northvilleschools.org