About the Authors

Emma Zayas is currently a Literacy Specialist in Henrico, Virginia. She has fifteen years of experience as an educator in grades 3-12, with most of her time as a teacher and reading specialist spent in middle school classrooms. 

Ms. Zayas earned an undergraduate degree in English from Old Dominion University in 2006 and a Master of Science degree in Education from Longwood University in the Literacy and Culture program in 2013. In 2019 she completed the Administration and Supervision program at Longwood University. Ms. Zayas holds a Virginia Postgraduate Professional Teaching License with endorsements in English and Reading. 

Contact Emma Zayas

Candace Crawford is currently teaching eighth grade English at Ni River Middle School in Spotsylvania, Virginia. 

She has sixteen years of experience as an educator in grades 6-8, including secondary English and Civics. Ms. Crawford earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma Christian University in 1996 and was certified as a teacher through the Spotsylvania County Career Switcher Program in 2005. She holds a Virginia Professional Collegiate Teaching License with endorsements in Middle School English and Middle School History.

Contact Candace Crawford