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Heather Rodman

Literacy Trainer

What I like most about my role within the Center is…

I love partnering with teachers as we think, collaborate, and reflect on our beliefs about teaching and learning. Supporting educators as they grow in their practice is the most rewarding part of my work. 

What I believe in

I believe in teachers. They are the instructional decision-makers in their classrooms and the people who make a lasting difference in students’ lives. Every teacher is an agent of change, and there is nothing more powerful than a group of educators thinking, talking, and reflecting together on their instructional practices. 

Previous work highlights

I have been a Literacy Trainer for 12 years. Before joining the Center, I spent 18 years as a classroom teacher, teaching students from PreK through fourth grade. I also served as a literacy coach and interventionist. Those experiences continue to inform my work as I partner with teachers and schools to strengthen literacy instruction. 

Favorite book

The answer to this question depends on the genre. My favorite work of fiction is My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. 

Fun fact

I visit Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts, at least once a month. As I walk the two-mile trail around the pond, I often reflect on Thoreau’s words from Walden. These visits make the English major in me very happy. 

Education

B.A. in English and Psychology, Central Connecticut State University
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Elementary Education, Central Connecticut State University
M.S. in Educational Technology, Central Connecticut State University 

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Featured Blog Posts

June 24, 2026 Wendy Vaulton, Associate Director for Reading Recovery & Early Interventions

Better Together: The Case for Cluster Coaching

Discover how cluster coaching helps educators learn together, build confidence, and strengthen student outcomes.

June 11, 2026 Heather Rodman, Literacy Trainer

Notebooks: Helping Students Notice, Wonder, and Think on Paper

One simple but powerful way teachers can nurture students’ curiosity is through notebooks. In classrooms, notebooks are not merely places to record learning; they create space for students to collect questions, sketches, observations, discoveries, and evolving ideas.

May 20, 2026 Cindy Downend, Director

Poolside PD

Summer is the perfect time to slow down, recharge, and dive into a great book that refreshes your literacy knowledge. In this blog post, Cindy Downend shares a thoughtful collection of professional texts for literacy educators — covering early literacy, writing instruction, purposeful reading, and evidence-based teaching practices — all perfect for your summer poolside PD.