Core skills of reading and math are central to students’ ability to tackle broader subjects. With that foundational need in mind, Clackamas Education Service District has created two new positions to enhance support for regional districts’ literacy and math initiatives.
Charlotte Gant joins Clackamas ESD as an early learning literacy consultant, focusing on helping regional schools build K-2 reading skills. Jaclyn Pfenning is Clackamas ESD’s new math specialist, with emphasis on supporting teachers and students at the secondary level.
“We’re always looking for ways to be even more responsive to the needs of our districts, and these new positions are an added investment in districts’ core programs,” said Robi Osborn, Clackamas ESD assistant director of teaching and learning. “Charlotte and Jaclyn bring decades of classroom experience to their roles here, and they will be amazing partners with our regional schools working to boost students’ reading and math skills.”
Charlotte Gant, early learning literacy consultant
Charlotte has a long history with Clackamas County schools. Most recently, she was an instructional support specialist at John McLoughlin Elementary School in the Oregon City School District. Prior to her role at OCSD, Charlotte spent more than 20 years in the Colton and Estacada school districts in teaching, learning, and leading students, staff and community.
“My goal in this new position at Clackamas ESD is to support teachers and students in early learning around literacy, creating opportunities and pathways to strengthen literacy outcomes in our county,” Charlotte said. “I’m focused on building relationships, understanding where teachers are at this moment and how I can best help them.”
Charlotte is highly familiar with the challenges teachers have faced these past couple of years.
“Teaching kindergarten virtually during the pandemic was a challenge, to say the least, but a challenge that forced me to find and highlight the bright spots in learning, regardless of our individual and collective situations,” Charlotte says. “I’ve been in that classroom space, looking for ways to lift students academically, socially, and emotionally… learning how to be comfortable being uncomfortable. I am so humbled and excited to be afforded this opportunity to work alongside the hardworking teachers in Clackamas County, the teachers that dedicate their time and passion into making the school experience rewarding to their students in all aspects of their lives.”
Jaclyn Pfenning, math specialist
Jaclyn is a veteran math instructor, having spent the past seven years working as a math teacher on special assignment for Portland Public Schools. She also taught math for several years in Peoria, Ariz.
“In this new role I’ll be supporting math curriculum adoption processes and other math needs that come up with our districts and teachers,” Jaclyn said. “I’m available to help with a variety of requests, particularly in creating pathways to help students fill gaps in learning caused by the COVID pandemic so they can graduate on time.”
Jaclyn is involved in the Oregon Math Project, which helps advance equitable math experiences for all students, and is excited about promoting new opportunities for students to get excited about math.
“Our regional STEM hub has a grant to pilot data science classes in high schools, and I’m looking forward to working with our STEM team on that,” Jaclyn said.
