Sharon Ruth Callen
Pioneering Initiative and Sustained Recognition
Sharon's career exemplifies educational initiative, beginning as a classroom teacher (1984-1996) before being nominated for a world-first cross-sector action research project developing the Literacy and Learning in the Middle Years course. This pioneering work led to continuous recognition—universities invited her as sessional tutor, Pembroke School appointed her literacy lead, and the Independent Schools Association established ongoing professional development partnerships.
Most significantly, Sharon's expertise attracted international recognition, leading to six transformative years in New York City. Over 800 face-to-face consulting days across diverse school systems weren't isolated contracts but sustained partnerships where superintendents consistently chose Sharon's collaborative approach for their most challenging contexts.
Remarkable Longevity and Continuous Action
Sharon's 40-year trajectory demonstrates extraordinary longevity paired with relentless commitment to literacy advancement. Since co-establishing Cue Learning in 2007, she has averaged 80+ annual consulting days, building sustainable 3-6 year school partnerships that prove her approach creates lasting transformation rather than superficial improvement.
Her continuous action includes authoring 100+ books through partnerships with Scholastic, Capstone, and Teacher Created Materials, presenting at international conferences, and co-developing Teachific (2018)—a subscription platform with thousands of Australian Curriculum-aligned resources. The 2020 launch of Teacher's Toolkit for Literacy podcast demonstrates her ability to innovate during crisis while maintaining authentic connection to educators.
Deep Pedagogical Knowledge and Authentic Professional Connection
Sharon's pedagogical expertise extends beyond practical experience to sophisticated understanding of literacy research and theory. Her collaborative approach—working with teachers rather than for them—ensures professional development responds to real classroom challenges. Side-by-side coaching, personalised learning approaches, and long-term partnerships demonstrate commitment to sustained collaboration.
Sharon uniquely combines pioneering initiative, sustained recognition, remarkable longevity, continuous action, deep pedagogical knowledge, and authentic professional connections—proven qualities essential for transforming education.
Experience
- Sharon has a Graduate Diploma in Teaching, specialising in English Language Arts and Literacy.
- She greatly enjoyed fifteen years working as a teacher in South Australian primary schools.
- She was involved in university level projects and courses, for example, Networking to Learn, a national project in Australia.
- Since 2000 she has loved working as a literacy consultant in schools in Australia and USA
- Sharon has written teaching resources for ASIC in the area of financial literacy for students.
- She is author and co-author of a number of publications on best practice in literacy instruction.
- And now she is the founder of 'Teachific' online resources for teachers.
Published Works - Children's Books
- In 1995 Sharon wrote a book for families and their grandparents called 'I Miss You' Koala Books 1995. It won a Notable Book Award as part of the Children's Book Awards in Australia.
- Scholastic Canada helped her publish the innovative Triple Treat resource for Kindergarten classrooms. It has since been distributed by Scholastic in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. All 36 books, writing templates and teaching planning cards are now available online on the Teachific wesbite.
- Sharon worked jointly with Denise Ryan and Associates, Scholastic Canada, Capstone Classrooms, and Teacher Created Materials (TCM) in the US to write over 100 books for young readers which have been distributed worldwide.
- Her most recent Year F-1 series, LEAP! Little Books With Attitude, has won a Learning Magazine award in the U.S. The award title is the '2016 Teachers' Choice Award for a Classroom Program'. The awards honour products of exceptional quality and outstanding performance.
- See the LEAP trio 'Australian Animals', 'South American Animals' 'Arctic Animals'
- See the LEAP trio 'It's Winter', 'It's Summer', 'It's Spring'
- See the LEAP trio 'Earth', 'Mars', Saturn'
Consultancy in Schools
- Sharon was delighted to work for six years as a literacy consultant in New York schools (from 2001).
- And from 2008 as a literacy consultant in Australian schools.
- In 2011, together with Flinders University in South Australia, she won an Ian Potter Foundation grant to work on the jointly designed 'Choosing to Read' literacy project in two northern region schools in Adelaide, supporting students and teachers in reading improvement.
- In the years following, as part of Cue Learning consultancy, she developed (and is still developing) ongoing, innovative approaches to literacy teaching and learning with leaders and teachers in mostly Australian schools, tailored to their needs.
Teachific and the Future
- Sharon's aim for Teachific is that teachers will form an ongoing professional relationship with her through immediate access to her 'thinking' and very practical resources on the website, online courses, her podcasts and blogs, and Facebook community.
- She hopes to attract those interested in forming a creative, inquiring, connected and engaging approach to literacy teaching and learning