Jodell Sadler

Author • Educator • Presenter • Library, Reading, Literary Specialist 

1915 Whitestone Drive

Rockton, IL 61072

(815) 209-6252

jodell.sadlerliterary@gmail.com



TEACHING CERTIFICATION

ILLINOIS WISCONSIN

3-Year STA, Library Information Specialist 1902 Library Media Specialist (In Progress)

Elementary / Middle Grade, K-9 Elementary Elementary / Middle School Education, 1-8

Language Arts Grade 5 to 9 English 4-12 Middle/High School English

English Senior High 9-12 Special Education (earned 12/2020)

Technology ELS/CTE: K12 Reading (earned 3/2020)

—CIP Commercial Art/Advertising Art

—CIP Web, Digital/Multimedia/Information Resources Design

—CIP Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies

3-Year STA, K-12 Art

Dual-Credit - English Composition (In Progress)

Dual-Credit - English Literature (In Progress)

RESEARCH FOCUS

Narrative Pacing & Using it to Improve Student Outcomes — MFA Thesis Study Research Study

December 2008 - PRESENT

Using Narrative Pacing Strategies to Improve Publishing Outcomes and Teach Reading & Writing Simultaneously. 

EXPERIENCE

Marshall Middle School, Janesville, WI — Reading Literacy Teacher

August 2020 - PRESENT

Work with Green Team to improve reading for students to further  Reading, Writing, and Literacy success.

Parkview Elementary, Orfordville, WI — Reading Interventionist

November 2019 - July 2020

Work with RtI students to improve reading. Help develop library to align with Reading, Writing, and Literacy goals.

Reclassified the K-6 Library to better serve all readers, curriculum, and teachers.

KidLit College, Online — President, Founder

February 2015 - December 2018

Established online writer’s workshop community to help professional authors and illustrators shorten their paths to publishing. Offered direct online-live manuscript critiques with editors and agents as well as courses and webinar events.

Sadler Literary & JCLA, Online — Kid Lit Editorial Agent

January 2012 - December 2018 (Present)

Worked to publish authors and illustrators; worked in every genre category of children’s literature: poetry, board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, graphic novels, and young adult.

Clinton Community School District, Clinton, WI — One-On-One English Teacher and Reading Recovery

January 2011 - July 2013 (Present)

Worked with off-site and RtI 3 students in ELA and Reading Recovery.

Rockford Lutheran High School, Loves Park, IL — CAD, Videography, and 7th, Freshman & Senior AP /Dual Credit English Teacher

July 2013 - July 2015

Created College Board approved course equivalency and helped spearhead hybrid platform for  dual credit courses for 201 and 101 Rhetoric Courses with Writing Experience and British Literature Focus.

Rasmussen College, Rockford, IL and Online — Adjunct Professor of English, Creative Writing, and Literature

April 2009- July 2015

Taught American Literature, Contemporary World, Literature of the American Minorities, Creative Writing, College Composition, Advanced Composition, Critical Thinking, Success Strategies, Foundations of English I & II . Responsible for coordinating updates to course platforms for new textbooks, served as subject matter expert, and earned Thought Leadership Award.

Rockford College, Rockford, IL — Adjunct Professor of Rhetoric

January 2011- January 2012

Taught Rhetoric 101 for two semesters.

Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL — Continuing Education for Children’s Literature Courses

April 2008- July 2010

Picture books and writing for children.

Hayes Marketing, Rockford, IL — Senior Art Director, Freelance Marketing Consultant

April 2005- July 2011

Projects from concept to execution: tradeshow, product branding, brochures, web design, catalogs, and more.

Sadler Illustration & Design, Rockton, IL — Illustration, Marketing, and Design Consulting Services

April 1988- July 2012

Projects from concept to execution: annual reports, TV spots, Mergers and acquisition client retention, photography, photo illustration, branding, product development, tradeshow, brochures, web design, catalogs, and more.

Rockford Magazine, Rockford, IL — Art Director and Writer

July 1989- July 1990

Campaigns and new product and services development. Opened Mercy Cancer Center, Orfordville Family Practice Medicine. Directed ads, campaigns, internal and external communication and rebranding for 33-department hospital and its outreach. Instrumental in providing cost-savings for optimal targeted outcomes.

Mercy Hospital, Janesville, WI — Art Director, Marketing Management Team

July 1989- July 1990

Campaigns and new product and services development. Opened Mercy Cancer Center, Orfordville Family Practice Medicine. Directed ads, campaigns, internal and external communication and rebranding for 33-department hospital and its outreach. Instrumental in providing cost-savings for optimal targeted outcomes.

EDUCATION

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 

April  2021 - Present

Young Adult Literature and Finding and Using Information/Virtual Libraries.

Univeristy of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 

June 2020 - July  2020

Library Administration course.

SAS University of Phoenix — EdD Courses

February 2011 - April 2011

Beginning coursework toward my EdD in Curriculum and Development.

Hamline University, Saint Paul, MN — MFA

January 2007 - January 2009

Master Thesis on Pacing the Picture Book Form as a means to improving both art and words of the picture book art form.

Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI — BA

March 1984 - December 1988

Philosophy - Art, Communication and BioChem.

PROJECTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS

KidLit College — Founder, President

Master Courses and workshops on the craft of writing for children, agenting, and publishing, including live critiques with the mission to pay forward to publishing professionals while shortening an author’s and/or illustrator’s path to publication. Hosting 160-plus webinars and event in a three-year span, plus thousands manuscript online chats.


CLASSES TAUGHT

Graduate Courses:

ENG 540 Contemporary Writers and Publishers (Online 100%)

ENR 720 Special Topics in Writing: Writing Picture Books (Blended)

Undergrad Courses:

ENG 435 Literature of the American Minorities

B097 Foundations of English I

B098 Foundations of English II

ENG 101 Effective Essay Writing

ENG 124 English Composition

ENG 126 Advanced English Composition 2

ENG 201 Creative Writing

ENG 224 Introduction to Critical Thinking

LIT 3191 Contemporary World Literature: 1900 to the Present

LIT 3010 American Literature

ENG 125 Humanities

E 150 Success Strategies


Adult Continuing Education:

Writing Picture Books

Writing for Children & Young Adults


Secondary Teaching:

AP/Dual Credit Senior Literature 102 - Intro to Academic Writing

Senior Literature 102 - Intro to Academic Writing

AP/Dual Credit Senior Literature 201 – Survey of British Literature

Senior Literature 201 – Survey of British Literature

Freshman English

Reading Recovery Teacher 

One-on-One English Teacher


AGENTED PUBLICATIONS  (Not all listed)

Picture Books

Author-illustrator - Faraway Friends by Russ Cox

Author-illustrator - Brunhilda’s Backwards Day by Shawna J.C. Tenney

Author - Mr. McGinty’s Monarchs by Linda Vander Heyden

Nonfiction Author - Meip and The Most Famous Diary by Meeg Pincus

Nonfiction Author – Butterflies Title by Meeg Pincus

Author-illustrator - Snow Beast Comes to Play by Phil Gosier

Author-illustrator – Oh No, Bobo! You’re In Trouble by Phil Gosier

Author-illustrator – Untitled by Phil Gosier

Nonfiction Author - Forest Boy of India by Sophia Gholz

Illustrator - Ken Lemug, Ghastly Ghosts, Albert Whitman

Illustrator - Claire Lordon, Albert Whitman, 4-books

Illustrator - Charlie Beyl, Rand McNally, 3-books

Illustrator – Matthew Rivera, Photo Bomb, Albert Whitman Company

Illustrator – Matthew Rivera, Children’s Book with Free Spirit Publishing

Illustrator – Matthew Rivera, Children’s Book with True Sounds Publishing


Middle Grade

Illustrator – Friday Barnes Series, Phil Gosier, 4-books, Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan

Graphic Novel, author-illustrator - Middle School Misadventures and Hat Heist by Jason Platt, Little, Brown Books for Young People

Nonfiction, author - Bold Women of Medicine: 21 Stories of Astounding Discoveries, Daring Surgeries and Healing Breakthroughs by Susan Latta, Chicago Review Press


Young Adult

Nonfiction Food Allergies: The Ultimate Teen Guide by Jessica Reino

Nonfiction Pregnancy & Parenting: The Ultimate Teen Guide by Jessica Akins

Nonfiction Self-Injury: The Ultimate Teen Guide by Judy Dodge Cummings

Nonfiction Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga: The Ultimate Teen Guide by Randall Bosner

Nonfiction Sexual Assault: The Ultimate Teen Guide by Olivia Ghafoerkhan


Publications

Sadler, J. (2019). Dinosharks!, Scholastic Books.

Sadler, J. (2022). Pace Your Plot: 200 Techniques & Insider Advice for Pacing Your Fiction, Forthcoming.


Articles

“Picture Book Pace: Verbal & Visual Tools for Writers,” Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, 2011

“Picture Book Pacing: The 20 Ultimate Editing Tools for Your Writing,” Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, 2013

Interview, “Katherine Applegate: The Newbery Medal Winner Talks to Us,” Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, 2014

Interviews, “Debut Illustrators: First-Time Illustrators Tell Their Stories and Share Advice,” Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, 2015

“You’re An Illustrator—Now What? Tips and Advice for New Illustrators,” Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, 2016

PRESENTATIONS

Over 160 events. A few highlights listed here:

Sadler, J. (2018). Pacing Your Plot to Published.

Sadler, J., & Whitford Paul, A. (2016). The ABCs of Writing the Picture Book Agents Are Looking For, Writer’s Digest

Sadler, J. (2009-2018). Pacing Picture Books: Verbal & Visual Tools, Writer’s Digest & KidLit College

Sadler, J. (2009-2018). Pacing Picture Books (& Beyond) to Wow!, Writer’s Digest & KidLit College

Sadler, J. (2010-2018). 200 Action Moves for Pacing the MG/YA Novel, KidLit College

Sadler, J. (2009). Ten Ps of Pacing, KidLit College

Sadler, J. (2009). The Pacing Writer’s WORD Workout, KidLit College

Sadler, J. (2009). Picture Book Pacing, KidLit College

Sadler, J. (2010). Writing the Picture Book that Sells: The Power of Pacing, Writer’s Digest.

Sadler, J. (2012). Find Joy in Your Picture Book Editing, Writer’s Digest

Sadler, J. (2012). Avoiding Burnout, Writer’s Digest

Sadler, J., & Moore, A. (2013). Writing Classic Picture Books, Writer’s Digest

Sadler, J. (2014). Writing Chapter Books that Sell, Writer’s Digest

Sadler, J., & Shumate, L. (2014). First Pages in Chapter Books

Master Educator Assessment overview

EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Speaking Opportunities

Adult Education Faculty

New Programs & Projects

DIVERSITY FOCUS

Published Diverse Writers & Illustrators

Edited 6-Week Online Course Design for Literature of the American Minorities

Native American Code-Talkers Book with Pelican Publishing by Andrea Page


TEACHING REVIEW

Clinton High School, 2013

On May 3rd, 2013, Nicole Erickson did an LBE Disposition Survey for me for Part 2. As you recall, then, that and my response was all that was needed to complete the certification pathway.

She writes:

Standard 1: All checked proficient

“Jodell has passion, understanding, and an acute awareness of students' needs. Jodell uses observations, data, and collaboration to gain understanding, perspective, and a foundation that moves students academically, emotionally, and socially.”

Standard 2: Learning Differences

Top Three marked proficient, last one marked not observed.

“Jodell truly pushes all students to persevere through a respectful, safe, and accepting environment. She uses each student's diverse and individual background as a catalyst for teaching and learning. Students walk away with a renewed value and purpose through the personal connections Jodell so naturally makes.”

Standard 3: Learning Environments

All marked proficient

“Jodell’s classes operates on a model of collaboration, problem solving and inquiry. She is aware of the potential pitfalls of negative social interactions in collaborative work at the high school level and because of this awareness Jodell is proactive in grouping, guiding, and engaging students into positive supportive highly engaged groups. Jodell has an amazing way of extending learning into real world applications that push students to explore, design, create, revise, think, and defend independently and collaboratively. Jodell is one of the most responsive listeners and observers I have had the pleasure to work with.”

Standard 4: Content Knowledge

All marked proficient

“Jodell’s content knowledge in English Language Arts, Reading, Art, and Marketing is extensive, mastered, and relevant. She has an ability to make connections across subject areas, use Common Core English Language Arts Standards flawlessly within English Language Arts, Art, Marketing, and apply the content in an artful way that brings course work alive and applicable for the world we live in.”

Standard 5: Innovative Application of Content

All marked proficient

“Jodell’s lessons and content evolves with current practices in education, employment trends, and changing global demands. Jodell has an awareness that most educators do not have about the society we prepare our students for. Her awareness provides a strong foundation for relevant and rigorous teaching and learning across content areas. Jodell has pushed our most reluctant students to become powerful readers, writers, speakers and thinkers through data-driven decisions regarding skill extension or intervention, project-based experiences and student career interest.”

Standard 6: Assessment

All marked proficient

“Jodell has a deep understanding of assessment and its purpose and process. She uses a multiple method of assessments with intention and ease. Jodell is stilled in progress monitoring and feedback as she provides tier three intervention in reading. Jodell also uses assessments to guide intervention and align instruction to curriculum and learning goals. Jodell uses multiple assessments and a variety of types to provide accurate comprehensive data. Jodell also understands and values the assessment needs of students coming from special populations.”

Standard 7: Planning for Instruction

All marked proficient

“Jodell’s instructional plans are student centered, evolving, and outcome oriented. Jodell has a clear understanding of where students need to be at the end and how to move students in the now. Jodell also values collaboration in planning from working with across curricular areas, departmentally, with special education/ESL staff students or community partners.”

Standard 8: Instructional Strategies

All marked proficient

"Jodell is not a one-size-fits-all teacher. She knows her students and uses a variety of individualized strategies, technologies, and teaching that allow students to master skills within the content. Jodell values communication and uses many forms to communicate with each stakeholder and encourages students to use new technologies to access information, communication, and instruction."

SKILLS

Editing & Agenting Authors & Illustrators.

AWARDS

Thought Leadership Award. Rasmussen College

Addy Award. Senior Designer, Hayes Marketing.

Subject Matter Expert.  Pearson Education and Rasmussen College.

CYBIL Picture Book Judge. Reviewer 2011, 2013. 

5-Year Educator Award, Rockford Lutheran High School. 

Improved English Scores during my time with Rockford Lutheran

Mentored  120+ AP Honors/Dual Credit Seniors in editing Collegiate Portfolios.

Worked with Concordia College on Hybrid Platform for AP/Dual Credit Program


LANGUAGES

English. Some Spanish. 3rd Grade Summer Dual Language Teacher.