Greetings from the Literacy Lab 

Hello!  My name is Whitney Updike, and I am a Reading Specialist and Lead Literacy Coach  with the Washington Elementary family!  I graduated from Carroll University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.  I began my teaching career in Oshkosh, WI, where I taught Kindergarten for three years.  I then relocated to Kenosha, WI, where I taught Kindergarten and K/1 Multiage for an additional three years.  While in Oshkosh, I began working on a second Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education, which I completed in 2015.  I returned to my alma mater in the Fall of 2016 to begin working on my Masters of Education degree.  I focused my studies on Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading Specialist emphasis, and graduated in the Spring of 2018.  Most recently, I completed the Dyslexia and Language Based Learning Disabilities certificate program at UW-Whitewater and finished the intensive two-year Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training with Lexia.

After school hours, I teach as an adjunct professor with UW-Whitewater. During my free time, I enjoy reading, being outdoors, hiking, camping, baking, and spending time with my dog Winston.  I'm looking forward to building relationships with the students, families, and staff at Washington, all while continuing to foster a passion and excitement for Literacy!  Please feel free to visit the Literacy Lab to say hello and/or have questions answered.  Here's to another fantastic school year!

Whitney Updike
Email: wupdike@wwusd.org
Phone: 262-472-8629