The Science of Reading Star Awards
Think of the educators in your world—especially those devoted to literacy. Do you know someone who has transformed their classroom and empowered their students with the Science of Reading? What about someone who’s gone above and beyond core instruction based in the Science of Reading to apply these evidence-based practices in less traditional ways in areas like assessment, intervention, biliteracy, and beyond? We think they deserve to be celebrated! Honor their work by nominating them for a Science of Reading Star Award.
The 2023 Science of Reading Star Award application window is now closed, but we invite you to join us for our Science of Reading Star Awards celebration where we’ll honor our winners!
Be sure to return next year to nominate our next Science of Reading stars!
Introducing our 2023 Science of Reading Star Award finalists!
Our second Science of Reading Star Awards were a huge success! We received more than 1,000 nominations from all corners of the country, and heard inspirational stories from educators driving change with the Science of Reading in their classrooms, schools, and districts.
See below for the names of our 2023 Star Award finalists.
[Grand Prize] The Changemaker: For exemplary leadership in guiding a district through a shift to the Science of Reading.
Our 2023 Science of Reading Changemaker Finalists are:
- Heather Campbell — Learning Coach, Sunset Elementary, Washington County District, Utah. Watch her video.
- Javonna Mack — Lead Content Teacher, Caddo Parish Schools, Louisiana. Watch her video.
- Aaron Jura — Reading Interventionist, Bloomingdale School District, Illinois. Watch his video.
- Nicole Peterson — PreK-8 Director, Sampson County Schools, North Carolina. Watch her video.
- Virginia Quinn-Mooney — Teacher, Northville Elementary School, New Milford, Connecticut. Watch her video.
The Data Dynamo: For commendable use of data to align a literacy system and maximize student achievement.
Our 2023 Science of Reading Data Dynamo Finalists are:
- Anne Elizabeth Carter — Kindergarten Teacher, Wake County, North Carolina. Watch her video.
- Shennoy Barnett — Kindergarten Teacher, South Smithfield Elementary, North Carolina. Watch her video.
- Bethani Ploegstra — Kindergarten Teacher, Union Colony Elementary, Colorado. Watch her video.
The Language Luminary: For outstanding success in developing the skills and strengths of emergent bilingual students.
Our 2023 Science of Reading Language Luminary Finalists are:
- Wanda Ramirez — 2nd Grade Teacher/Amplify Lead, El Sol Science and Arts Academy, California. Watch her video.
- Esmeralda Martinez — Kindergarten Teacher, Compass Community Schools, Tennessee. Watch her video.
- Christine Black — ESL Teacher, North Dover Elementary School, New Jersey. Watch her video.
The Knowledge Builder: For showing the world that the Science of Reading is more than just phonics, and empowers students with knowledge from elementary to middle school.
Our 2023 Science of Reading Knowledge Builder Finalists are:
- Kim Smaw — Principal, Rosalyn Yalow Charter School, New York. Watch her video.
- Corey Beil — Instructional Interventionist at the Sixth Grade Campus, Quakertown Community School District, Pennsylvania. Watch his video.
- Angie Dutton — Instructional Coach, Onslow County Schools, North Carolina. Watch her video.
- Nicole Brodie — 7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher, Long Middle School, Atlanta Public Schools, Georgia. Watch her video.
The Intervention Innovator: For admirable use of intervention strategies to get at-risk readers back on track.
Our 2023 Science of Reading Intervention Innovator Finalists are:
- Markaya Aga — Reading Interventionist, Merit Academy, Colorado. Watch her video.
- Sara Thornton — Reading Interventionist, Denver Public Schools, Schmitt Elementary, Colorado. Watch her video.
- Suzanne Maddox — RTI Teacher, Robertson County, Tennessee. Watch her video.
Rookie of the Year: For the new educator who has made commendable gains with research-based instruction.
Our 2023 Science of Reading Rookie of the Year Finalists are:
- Andrea Mason — Academic Interventionist, County Line Elementary School, Georgia. Watch her video.
- Caitlyn Cockram — 3rd Grade Teacher, Patrick County Public Schools, Virginia. Watch her video.
- Mallory Pendergast — Kindergarten Teacher, Circle City Prep, Indiana. Watch her video.
ESSER Ace: For notable and innovative use of stimulus funds to help kids rediscover the joy of reading.
Our 2023 Science of Reading ESSER Ace Finalists are:
- Callie Wheeler — Instructional Coach, Patrick County Public Schools, Virginia. Watch her video.
- Sara Vernon — Instructional Coach, Patrick County Public Schools, Virginia. Watch her video.
- Edie Bostic — Literacy Coach, Gallia Local, Ohio. Watch her video.
- Stephanie Hurst — District Literacy Specialist, Maple Ave Elementary School, Claremont School District, SAU6, New Hampshire. Watch her video.
Prizes
All award winners will receive:
- Exclusive early access to a NEW Science of Reading Professional Development resource from Susan Lambert coming in Summer 2023.
- A library of Science of Reading books to guide their journey.
- A subscription to The Reading League Journal.
- A spotlight on an episode of Science of Reading: The Podcast.
The Grand Prize winner will receive full conference registration and associated travel costs to Big Sky Literacy Summit in Big Sky, Montana, September 2023 (dates forthcoming).
Submission form
The 2023 Science of Reading Star Award application window is now closed. Please return next year to nominate a Science of Reading star!