Jocelyn McConnell, MEd

Assistant Director, Texas School Ready
Affiliate Director, Reach Out and Read Texas

Jocelyn McConnell is the affiliate leader of Reach Out and Read Texas, which is housed at the Children’s Learning Institute in the McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Center at Houston. Partnering with 900 clinicians across Texas in 200 pediatric and family medicine clinics, she leads a dynamic team in promoting positive interactions. Through the joy of reading aloud, the affiliate team serves clinics as they support families in building safe, stable and nurturing relationships.

Jocelyn has worked at the Children’s Learning Institute for fourteen years, supporting early childhood research projects in many roles. Her favorite role is as a coach and trainer to parents (Play and Learning Strategies), teachers, and, now, medical providers.

She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor whose prior practice focus was clients recovering from childhood trauma. Through her background in counseling, she recognizes the powerful role of attachment in mediating adverse childhood events.

Jocelyn received a Bachelor’s degree from Plan II in Social Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology-Counseling from the University of Houston.