Ilse O'Brien, MEd

Ilse O’Brien is a literacy specialist, coach, and social studies curriculum specialist in Holliston, MA. As an educator and literacy leader for 23 years in both elementary and middle school settings, she has considerable experience collaborating with teams to develop and deliver curriculum to support high-quality, standards-based literacy practices. She has designed and facilitated school, district, and state workshops on close reading practices, comprehension strategies, content-area literacy, writing, and engaging and motivating readers. She has served on many curriculum teams and PLCs to develop, pilot, and implement literacy and social studies initiatives, common assessments, and curricula. Ilse has also mentored and coached both new and veteran teachers. 

With her background in writing and journalism – and her voracious reading habits – she strives to engage and motivate students to develop lifelong habits of mind as readers and writers. In particular, she is committed to helping teachers and students explore literacy experiences with authentic purposes and audiences, as well as culturally responsive teaching and equitable opportunities for all learners. One of her most rewarding initiatives was spearheading the implementation of a district-wide unit of study for Natick fifth graders to analyze children’s literature and develop opinion writing.

Ilse earned her B.A. in Communications/Journalism from Marist College, her M.Ed. from the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and her Reading Specialist certification through Framingham State University. She also completed a post-graduate science education program through Tufts University Fulcrum Institute for Science Education. 

Ilse lives in Holliston with her husband and two teenagers.