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.
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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
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
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
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
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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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