Episode #15
Connecting Literacy, Career Readiness, and Real-World Learning with Dr. Carey Crocker
On Leading Engaged Learning, host Miriam Williams sits down with Dr. Carey Crocker, Assistant Superintendent at Center Line Public Schools, to explore how a Metro Detroit district is connecting literacy improvement with relevant, real-world learning experiences. Dr. Crocker shares how Center Line moved from a long-standing balanced literacy approach toward structured literacy and the science of reading, using data, teacher committees, literacy coaches, instructional rounds, and job-embedded professional learning to support the transition. She also explains how the district's K-12 wall-to-wall career academy model connects classroom learning to future careers, giving students hands-on experiences while building communication, collaboration, leadership, and critical-thinking skills. Key Moments 03:50 Shifting Toward Structured Literacy 05:45 Using Data to Drive Change 08:10 Supporting Teachers Through Coaching 10:10 Strengthening Student Engagement 13:20 Building K-12 Career Pathways 15:30 Connecting Students to Careers 18:00 Linking Literacy and Career Learning 21:15 Building Graduate Profile Skills 24:20 Connecting Curriculum and Academies 27:10 Protecting Tier 1 Instruction 29:30 Teaching Through Career Pathways 32:00 Preparing Students for Life After School 34:20 Alumni Returning as Mentors 37:00 Starting an Academy Model Why You'll Love This Episode This episode offers a practical look at how districts can connect academic improvement with meaningful preparation for life beyond school. Dr. Crocker shows that literacy, career readiness, project-based learning, and student engagement do not need to operate as separate initiatives. When thoughtfully aligned, they can reinforce one another and make learning more relevant. You'll learn: - Why data and teacher input should guide literacy transformation - How job-embedded coaching supports science of reading implementation - Why explicit instruction and engagement strategies need to work together - How Center Line connects career exploration from kindergarten through high school - How guaranteed real-world experiences make learning more relevant - Why Tier 1 instruction must remain protected while providing intervention - How teachers can connect academic content to career pathways - Why community and industry partnerships strengthen career preparation - How graduate profile skills can become part of everyday instruction - Why student and alumni voices matter when designing future-ready learning Dr. Crocker reinforces an important idea throughout the conversation: literacy, engagement, and career readiness are not competing priorities. The strongest systems intentionally connect them so students can understand both what they are learning and where that learning can take them. Connect with Our Guest Dr. Carey Crocker Assistant Superintendent, Center Line Public Schools LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carey-crocker-8596178b Website: https://www.clps.org/ Connect with Us 3P Learning Inc Website: https://www.3plearning.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3p-learning About Leading Engaged Learning Leading Engaged Learning is a podcast series for district leaders and education innovators focused on what it really takes to improve literacy outcomes by strengthening student engagement. Hosted by Miriam Williams and produced by 3P Learning Inc, each episode explores the real-world decisions, constraints, and tradeoffs behind building systems that help students become more confident readers.
