Our Story

Every educator remembers someone who changed the course of their life. A teacher who believed in them. A mentor who encouraged them. A leader who challenged them to grow. As educators ourselves, we know the impact one prepared, confident teacher can have on generations of learners. Throughout our careers in classrooms, literacy leadership, instructional coaching, and higher education, we recognized a common need. Educators were expected to navigate evolving research, changing standards, and increasing expectations—often with limited time and practical resources. educate1248 was created to bridge that gap. Our mission is to equip educators with practical, research-based learning solutions that build confidence, strengthen instruction, and improve outcomes for every learner. Because when educators grow, learners thrive.

What Guides Our Work

  • 60 years of combined teaching experience

  • Research-based professional learning

  • Practical & classroom-ready strategies

  • Adult Learning Theory & Instructional Coaching

  • Flexibilty & Adaptabilty

  • Focus on Lasting Impact

Dr. Denise Zawada

Dr. Denise L. Zawada is the co-founder of educate1248, an education product and consulting firm dedicated to strengthening literacy instruction through evidence-based teacher preparation. A Johns Hopkins-trained education researcher, she brings over 25 years of P-20 systems experience, including a decade as a district instructional coach supporting more than 65 Title I schools and an appointment as an Assistant Professor of Literacy at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Zawada's research examines teacher retention, literacy policy implications, and the use of generative AI in teacher preparation courses to build knowledge of effective teaching practices. With the launch of educate1248's higher-education-centered product, Prep2Teach, Dr. Zawada translates rigorous research and P-20 experience into practical content. Prep2Teach helps literacy instructors deliver ready-made, structured literacy courses to teacher candidates across the country that adhere to states' science-of-reading laws and build confidence in future reading teachers. Guided by a strong commitment to education as a first-generation college student, she has built charitable giving into the business's foundation; hence the name "1248." Dr. Zawada holds an education doctorate from Johns Hopkins University with a specialization in Urban Education. Her goal is to help ensure that elementary students, especially those from higher-poverty backgrounds, have access to well-trained and effective teachers.

Angela Jones

Angela Jones is the co-founder of educate1248, an education product and consulting firm dedicated to strengthening literacy instruction through evidence-based teacher preparation. A National Board Certified Teacher, literacy specialist, and instructional coach, she brings more than 30 years of K-12 experience, including service as an elementary classroom teacher, reading interventionist, and district instructional coach. Throughout her career, Angela has partnered with educators to translate research into practical instructional practices that improve teacher effectiveness and student literacy outcomes. With the launch of educate1248's higher-education-centered product, Prep2Teach, Angela draws on decades of classroom, coaching, and leadership experience to create practical, ready-to-use resources for literacy instructors. Prep2Teach equips teacher educators with comprehensive, structured literacy courses that align with state science-of-reading requirements while preparing future teachers with the confidence and knowledge to provide effective reading instruction. Beyond education, Angela is a speaker, writer, and ministry leader whose work reflects a lifelong commitment to serving and encouraging others. She believes teaching is more than the transfer of knowledge—it is an opportunity to invest in people, cultivate hope, and equip others to make a lasting difference. This philosophy aligns with the mission of educate1248 and continues to shape her work as she empowers educators to transform the lives of the students they serve.