Literacy Across Languages

Lucía Rocha-Nestler is the founder and CEO of Hola Books, an educational publishing company dedicated to building strong, joyful Spanish literacy through research-based, Spanish-first materials. A former dual-language teacher with over 20 years of classroom experience, Lucía brings deep expertise in bilingual literacy development, curriculum design, and professional learning. She is a first-genera...

Dr. Carrie McDermott Goldman is an associate professor, consultant, coach, and mentor focused on instructional practices, curriculum development, and program design for multilingual learners. She serves as the Interim Director of Graduate, Post-Graduate, and Professional Studies Programs, TESOL/bilingual program coordinator, and director of the CR-ITI ESOL/bilingual grant at Molloy University wher...

Dr. Susan B. Neuman is a professor specializing in early literacy development from pre-K through grade 2. She is editor of The Handbook on the Science of Early Literacy and The Handbook on the Science of Literacy in Grades 3-8. Dr. Neuman's research focuses on building knowledge networks through content-rich instruction, with particular emphasis on vocabulary development, oral language, and ensuri...

MaryKate DeSantis is the founder of Left Side Strong LLC and a passionate advocate for evidence-based literacy instruction. With experience as a special educator, reading specialist, and literacy coach in urban schools, she brings a teacher-centered approach to her work. MaryKate has served as faculty at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in the Speech-Language Literacy Lab and currently coll...

Andrea Bitner is a K-12 English language teacher, reading specialist, and passionate advocate for multilingual learners. With 26 years of experience, she supports students and teachers across multiple districts while also providing professional development nationally. Andrea is the author of two books about multilingual learners—Take Me Home and When Niagara Falls—and publishes a weekly newsletter...

Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld is a professor and author of over 30 books on multilingual education, including the Growing Language and Literacy series. Born and raised in Hungary, she grew up multilingually and has been an educator for over 25 years. Andrea is passionate about collaborative teaching models, asset-based approaches to multilingual education, and creating equitable learning environments wher...

Dr. Douglas Fisher is Professor and Chair of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and a leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College. He was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2022. Doug has published extensively on leadership, reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design, including The Teaching Reading Playbook and his newly published book,...

Maya Valencia Goodall is co-creator of OL&LA (Online Language and Literacy Academy), co-founder of Lingual Learning, and co-creator of Lexia English. She continues to shape the field of education as a leader in the design and enhancement of the Online Elementary Reading Academy at CORE Learning. Maya is dedicated to ensuring every student receives the literacy and language instruction they nee...

Dr. Claude Goldenberg is Professor Emeritus at Stanford University, where he focused on promoting literacy development and academic achievement among English learners. He has taught from first grade through university level and now shares research-based knowledge through articles, blogs, podcasts, and webinars to help all students develop high levels of literacy in English and other languages. In...

Dr. Jana Echevarría is Professor Emerita at California State University, Long Beach, where she was selected as Outstanding Professor. She is co-creator of the SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) Model and a leading researcher in effective instruction for multilingual learners. Dr. Echevarría was inducted into the California Reading Hall of Fame in 2016 and has served as an expert on...