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What Serving on the State Literacy Cabinet Means for Educators

Authored by
Tami Bebee-Schwartz

A Seat at the Table

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Every decision made in education impacts classrooms, teachers, and most importantly, students. That’s why I’m honored to serve as one of 19 members on the Wyoming State Superintendent’s Literacy Cabinet, a group formed to strengthen early literacy across the state.

Why the Literacy Cabinet Exists

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder created six advisory cabinets to guide Wyoming’s Department of Education strategic plan (2023–2027). Each cabinet focuses on one of the state’s biggest priorities:

  • Parental empowerment
  • Literacy
  • Career and technical education
  • Efficiency
  • Citizenship
  • Teacher support

The Literacy Cabinet is the largest of these groups, bringing together educators, administrators, and stakeholders from across Wyoming. Our role is to provide real-world perspectives and help shape initiatives that improve literacy outcomes for K–3 students—work that will set the foundation for lifelong learning.

What This Means for Educators

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The cabinet isn’t about policy made in isolation. Instead, it’s about bringing educator voices to the table. By including teachers, librarians, school board members, and others who serve students daily, the superintendent is ensuring that decisions are grounded in classroom realities.

For educators, this means:

  • A stronger focus on early literacy and evidence-based practices
  • An opportunity for the voices of Wyoming teachers to directly influence policy
  • Support for aligning state-level initiatives with what works in real classrooms

Why It Matters to Me

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My journey in education has always been about helping kids learn to read—because literacy changes everything. Serving on the Literacy Cabinet is not the end of that work, but an extension of it.

It’s a chance to stand alongside other passionate professionals to ensure that every Wyoming student has access to the tools and instruction they need to succeed.

This isn’t about one person or one program. It’s about collaboration. It’s about making sure the policies and practices at the state level truly support the daily work of educators.

Looking Ahead

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As the Literacy Cabinet begins its work, I am encouraged by the superintendent’s commitment to including diverse voices and perspectives. We won’t always agree, but we’ll move forward by focusing on what matters most: students and their right to strong, effective literacy instruction.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

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If you’re an educator in Wyoming, know that your work and your voice matter. Together, we can create a system where every child learns to read, retain, and thrive.

Interested in learning more about how Instructional Intensity Inc. supports literacy in Wyoming schools? Connect with us today: www.instructionalintensity.com/contact

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