Mona Beth Zignego, PhD

Mona Beth Zignego, PhD, is an accomplished educator, researcher, and literacy specialist with over two decades of experience in the field of education. She currently serves as the Chief School Officer at LUMIN Schools. With a PhD in Language and Literacy, her expertise focuses on literacy, teacher education, and foundational reading skills. Her doctoral research explored bridging the gap between research and practice through a hybrid case study of teacher literacy education. Dr. Zignego has held adjunct teaching positions at several universities, where she has influenced the next generation of educators through courses on literacy development, assessment, and intervention. Her work has taken her into classrooms, schools, and districts where she has provided literacy coaching, data analysis, and professional development across Wisconsin. Dr. Zignego’s leadership in designing literacy programs, tiered intervention strategies, and equitable multi-level support systems has had a transformative impact on school culture and student outcomes.

She is a published author, with her work featured in The Reading Teacher and Currere Exchange Journal. Additionally, Dr. Zignego has contributed chapters to various academic books and presented at numerous international and national conferences, focusing on the cycle of care, liberatory literacy, and transformational coaching. Her dedication to education is grounded in a commitment to equity, care, and a deep understanding of the complex challenges faced by teachers and students alike. As an advocate for socially just classrooms and care-driven pedagogy, Dr. Zignego continues to explore innovative methods for improving literacy education and teacher support.