Nikki Drury

Literacy Trainer

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

Every day I get to immerse myself in my favorite topic: Literacy!

What I believe in

I believe language is powerful, and when we give students the ability to use language, we empower them to shape the world with their words, learn more about themselves and others, and delight in the pleasures of great literature.

Previous work highlights

Before coming to the Center, I was a classroom teacher and literacy coach.

Favorite book

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Fun fact

At 10 years old I was the Texas state baton twirling champion.

Education

BS Interdisciplinary Studies, Sam Houston State University

M.Ed. Educational Leadership, Texas A&M

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.