Susan Tannehill

Associate Director of Operations & Finance

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

Supporting the mission of increasing literacy skills for children.

What I believe in:

I am passionate about social justice and health equity and am an ally for the LGBTQ+ community and for those oppressed due to discrimination.

Previous work highlights:

I spent nearly 15 years working for an AIDS service organization and over a decade at Harvard, most notably with the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative.

Favorite book:

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir.

Fun fact:

I am an artist and an ardent poodle lover!

Education:

BLA from Harvard

April 8, 2026 Heather Rodman, Literacy Trainer

A Literacy Gambit: Engaging Students Through Daily Word Exploration

This five-minute Word of the Day routine helps students build vocabulary, think critically about words, and develop confident, independent word-solving skills.

March 31, 2026 Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason (Schaghticoke/HoChunk)

Reading Beyond November: Bringing Indigenous Voices Into Everyday Literacy Instruction

As educators, we have an opportunity to shift from occasional inclusion to sustained presence — integrating Indigenous perspectives into everyday literacy instruction in ways that are relevant, accurate, and ongoing.

March 24, 2026 Cindy Downend, Director

A School Leader’s Guide to Observing Reading Comprehension Instruction

Teaching children to think critically, analytically, and deeply about texts is no easy endeavor. What should you listen for when observing text-based comprehension work in the classroom? Here are six questions to ask to help you sharpen your lens on comprehension instruction.