About

Julia Cafaro

Hi, I’m Julia Cafaro, a 21st Century Learning Instructional Coach and curriculum designer passionate about helping secondary ELA teachers bring meaning, relevance, and curiosity back into their classrooms.

I support secondary educators and homeschooling families who want students to develop a genuine understanding of the world around them through high-interest, multi-modal texts, cultural studies, and inquiry-driven learning. I believe that one of the most powerful ways to prepare students for a globally connected world is by helping them explore diverse stories, perspectives, and ideas—especially through literature.

Most ELA resources focus heavily on the mechanics of a text—structure, characterization, and literary devices taught in isolation. While those skills matter, my approach starts with something bigger: universal truths, essential questions, and the themes that make stories timeless. When students understand why a story matters, the analysis becomes more meaningful—and more accessible.

My curriculum is designed around big-picture inquiry questions, often pairing classic texts with modern or mythic parallels to help students connect literature to real-world ideas and human experiences. Each unit emphasizes theme, symbolism, and discussion-first instruction, supported by intentional scaffolding that works for honors, on-level, SPED, and ESOL students. The goal is always the same: low-prep structure for teachers and high-level thinking for students.

I began creating resources to support teachers and homeschooling parents who want to share a literal world of experiences with their students—without spending countless hours planning interconnected units from scratch. My background includes a B.S. in Secondary English Education, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Literacy, and certification in Gifted Education, along with extensive experience working with Special Education and English as a Second Language students.

I’ve taught students in grades 6–12, as well as early childhood learners, and I truly believe each stage of a student’s literacy journey is unique. As a parent to a child with dyslexia, I’ve gained a deeper, more personal perspective on what it means to support struggling readers and writers—not just in building skills, but in helping them develop confidence and a genuine love for learning.

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