Meet Our Experts

Meet some of the world’s leading researchers and practitioners who inform the development of our programs and teaching resources. Many of them are also available to help your leaders and teachers, face-to-face.

Dr. Nancy Akhavan

Dr. Nancy Akhavan

Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership for Middle Schools in Fresno Unified School District
With a wide range of experience as an administrator and teacher, Ms. Akhavan is passionate about providing a high quality education for all children through authentic, purposeful instruction.
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Pam Allyn

Pam Allyn

Executive Director and Founder of LitLife
Ms. Allyn is dedicated to her work at LitLife, a nationally known literacy development organization providing innovative, research-based professional development for K-12 educators.
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Dr. Cathy Collins Block

Dr. Cathy Collins Block

Professor of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Texas Christian University
With many accolades for her work in education, Dr. Block’s primary research interests are in the fields of literacy achievement, comprehension, cognitive strategies, curriculum development, and teacher education.
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Dr. Noah Borrero

Dr. Noah Borrero

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at the University of San Francisco
Dr. Borrero’s research interests focus on urban education, acculturation, and adolescent development.
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Dr. Ruth Culham

Dr. Ruth Culham

President, The Culham Writing Company
Dr. Culham is the recognized expert in the traits of the writing assessment field and author of the 6+1 Traits of Writing books and resources.
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Nell K. Duke, Ed.D

Dr. Nell K. Duke

Professor of Teacher Education & Educational Psychology, Michigan
Dr. Duke’s specific areas of expertise include development of informational literacies and comprehension in young children as well as issues of equity in literacy education.
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Dr. Irene Fountas

Dr. Irene Fountas

Professor, Leslie University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Best known for her expertise on Guided Reading and work with Gay Su Pinnell, Dr. Fountas is the director of the Center for Reading Recovery and Literacy Collaborative.
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Dr. Linda Gambrell

Dr. Linda Gambrell

Professor in the Eugene T. Moore School of Education at Clemson University
A past president of the International Reading Association and author, Dr. Gambrell’s research interests include reading comprehension instruction, literacy motivation, and the role of discussion in teaching and learning.
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Phyllis Hunter

Phyllis Hunter

President, Phyllis C. Hunter Consulting, Inc.
As a reading consultant who specializes in scientific research-based programs, Mrs. Hunter helps states and districts implement comprehensive reading programs.
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Lester Laminack

Lester Laminack

Professor Emeritus, Western Carolina University
Professional and children’s book author, Mr. Laminack teaches writing workshop, children’s literature, and reading.
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Dr. John Mangieri

Dr. John Mangieri

Director of the Institute for Literacy Enhancement
A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Mangieri is author/coauthor of 87 professional articles and books and works with school districts to improve the literacy performance of students.
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Dr. Gay Su Pinnell

Dr. Gay Su Pinnell

Professor, School of Teaching and Learning, The Ohio State University
Best known for her expertise on Guided Reading and work with Irene Fountas, Dr. Pinnell has developed and implemented comprehensive approaches to literacy education.
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Dr. Tim Rasinski

Dr. Tim Rasinski

Professor of Education, Kent State University
Well published in the areas of reading education, Dr. Rasinski’s scholarly interests include reading fluency and word study, reading in the elementary and middle grades, and readers who struggle.
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Laura Robb

Laura Robb

Middle School Expert
Author, teacher, coach, and speaker, Mrs. Robb has taught grades 4-8 for over 40 years and is focused on helping all intermediate and middle school students become literate.
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Alan Lawrence Sitomer

Alan Lawrence Sitomer

Inner-city High School English Teacher and Author
California Teacher of the Year (2007) and author of titles such as Homeboyz and Hip-Hop Poetry and the Classics, Mr. Sitomer is a nationally renowned speaker specializing in engaging reluctant readers.
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Dr. Alfred Tatum

Dr. Alfred Tatum

Associate Professor, Literacy, Language, and Culture Program at University of Illinois at Chicago
Through qualitative studies, Dr. Tatum’s research focuses on the literacy development of African-American adolescent males and teacher professional development in urban middle and high schools.
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Dr. Jeff Wilhelm

Dr. Jeff Wilhelm

Associate Professor of English Education, Boise State University
Author of numerous books on literacy and teaching, Dr. Wilhelm is an expert on reading education, teaching striving and reluctant readers, particularly boys, and inquiry-driven curriculum.
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