About me
April Severino is a nationally recognized educator, literacy coach, principal, curriculum director, keynote speaker, and independent consultant specializing in literacy professional development. With decades of experience leading schools and empowering teachers, she is known for her ability to translate complex educational goals into joyful, developmentally appropriate classroom practices.
She is the creator of Smart Centers®, Smart Reading Kits®, and Smart Writer’s Notebook®, as well as a suite of professional learning workshops that bring research-based strategies to life through hands-on demonstrations, small group instruction, and writing across the curriculum. April Severino’s work is deeply aligned with State Standards, Webb’s Depth of Knowledge, and the Five Reading Components, ensuring that teachers and students alike benefit from instruction that is rigorous, differentiated, and engaging. She has partnered with hundreds of schools across the nation, helping educators bring back joy to teaching and learning while achieving proven, measurable gains in reading and writing scores. Her workshops and demonstrations are celebrated for blending clarity, creativity, and evidence-based pedagogy with a deep respect for the realities of classroom teaching. In addition to her work in schools, she is the founder of Smart Schools®, established 15 years ago, through which she continues to design innovative literacy resources and deliver professional development that transforms classrooms.
As a polished communicator and strategic leader, she equips educators with practical tools for classroom management, formative assessment, and instructional transitions. Her mission is to empower teachers to make literacy instruction both effective and joyful, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive as a reader, writer, and thinker.
