Internationally acclaimed innovative literacy curriculum designer, author of two books, organizer and speaker at over 28 educational summits, Dr. Janet Nadine Mort is responsible for the reading success of countless vulnerable primary learners.
Upon retirement in 2007, after a 35-year career as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools on Vancouver Island, Mort attained a PhD in language and literacy. Still determined to address the unmet needs of struggling primary students, Mort aligned her research and vast experience to develop her Joyful Literacy Interventions program. She formulated an effective assessment/teaching/tracking paradigm that educates children through playful activities.
Mort began highly productive pilot programs (ongoing) in Peace River South and Lau,welnew Tribal School in Brentwood Bay where her innovative teaching practices were successfully adopted. She continues to personally collaborate with over 200 teachers in rural and First Nations communities, demonstrating her selfless passion to achieve literacy success with disadvantaged, vulnerable children. Results in over 100 classrooms in B.C. have been outstanding: 80 to 90 per cent of K-3 children, in spite of vulnerabilities or significant cultural differences, are reading at grade level after three years in Mort’s program. These results have been proven through independent, quantitative research, and seeing the successes of their students, teachers report a great sense of accomplishment.
As facilitator and a vibrant keynote speaker at 28 summits in B.C., Alberta, and Washington state, Dr. Mort’s doctrine has reached over 15,000 educators representing many thousands of classrooms. Her summit sessions partner renowned international authors and researchers with hands-on workshops illustrating early literacy techniques.
Mort has written two books, “Joyful Literacy Interventions” and “Putting on the Blitz”. These books clearly weave together her essential assessment/teaching/tracking components with practical, joyful classroom applications that facilitate rich and stimulating student-teacher interaction.
Through the B.C. Ministry of Education, Mort’s leadership skills led her to international influence as a consultant for a kindergarten program in Egypt for over three years. As superintendent of innovation, Mort again represented B.C. as an expert in early literacy at the World Congress of Education in Melbourne, Australia and at an international educational summit in New Zealand. She also generously had her two books translated and donated to an impoverished village school in Mexico.
Mort’s publications and awards are many; a highlight being awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal 2005 in recognition of service to children and to leadership in educational change. At 75 years of age, Mort continues to teach intervention strategies and mentor teachers in B.C. and beyond through her Joyful Literacy Interventions framework.
Following a stellar career, upon retirement, Mort chose not to relax. Instead she forged a new career path with an undaunted belief that she could give all young children an equal start in literacy. Her inspirational commitment to providing a successful school experience for all children will be her lasting legacy. For exemplary contribution to education in this province, we nominate Dr. Janet Mort for the Order of B.C.
