TUESDAY East Writing School

Dr. Shawna-Kaye Tucker is an assistant professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on language and literacy development among children with English as an additional language in the primary years, particularly in the Caribbean where Creole languages are spoken.

Elinor Haddad is a professor of Linguistics at Bar-Ilan University, Israel. She is an expert on literacy acquisition in Arabic diglossia. She has published over 70 research manuscripts on this topic and co-edited two volumes: “Handbook of Arabic Literacy” (2014) and “Handbook of Literacy in diglossia and in dialectal contexts” (2022).

Tanya Matthews, a Speech-Language Pathologist, is a faculty lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University. Her research, rooted in her lived experience, uses a community-based participatory approach to document oral language and emergent literacy practices in the homes of Black families who face financial hardships.

Malak is an MA graduate in Children’s Literature, Media and Culture as an Erasmus Mundus Scholar from the University of Glasgow. Her thesis, titled “ChatGPT, Write Me a Bedtime Story: Exploring Parent-Child Talk and Mediation Strategies During Shared-Reading with ChatGPT,” explores the way generative AI technologies can supplement children’s literacy..

Rebecca Chandler Leege was named Worldreader’s Chief Executive Officer in April 2023 after serving five years as the organization’s Chief Impact Officer. Her leadership has fostered innovation and expanded Worldreader’s impact, which now exceeds more than 22 million readers in under-resourced communities. With over 25 years of people-centered global leadership experience, Rebecca has a proven track record of driving growth through strategic vision, creative collaborations, and cross-sector partnerships. Before joining Worldreader, she spent over two decades working, living, and studying in Africa, Asia, and Europe. She has served in various senior leadership roles and co-led All Children Reading, a renowned edtech innovation and research initiative. She also held executive positions at World Vision and World Relief, focusing on reducing gender barriers to child labor/ trafficking and overseeing relief and development programs. Rebecca launched her career in the private sector, specializing in international human resources consulting. She holds a Master of Science in Multinational Commerce and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jennifer Orr, founder of Eyewords resources, holds a B.Ed, B.A, and M.Ed (Western University), has certifications in ABA and Special Education (Geneva Center for Autism), is a Board Member of TeachAids and has presented at Literacy is Life, USA TESOL International Convention, and Canada Reading for the Love of It.

Claire Galea is Director of Research at United Way Australia and is completing a PhD at Macquarie University. Claire has a passion for revealing the story that data can yield as a powerful narrative tool supporting her desire to showcase positive change for children throughout the globe.

Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education in Science and Technology and the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, heading the Educational Neuroimaging Group (ENIG). She is also an Associate Professor at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Dr. Heather RC Wooldridge has been in education for 25 years and is certified for K-12 education. Early in her career she taught English and related subjects in middle and high schools, served as a work-based learning coordinator, department chair, assistant principal, and the Coordinator of College and Career Readiness for Baltimore County Public Schools. She now serves as the Associate Director of The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. She resides in Baltimore County, Maryland with her husband where they steward 12 Little Free Libraries and support a network of 80+ more.

Greig Metzger is the Executive Director of Little Free Library®, a nonprofit organization that is a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led little libraries. Little Free Library received the 2020 World Literacy Award and recognition by the Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation and others for its dedication to expanding book access. Greig is a senior executive experienced in general management, finance, marketing and operations in non-profit organizations and consumer and B-to-B businesses. In his career, Greig has worked with Fortune 500 corporations, venture-backed startups, and community-based service organizations. A common theme throughout has been change, growth, and momentum creation. A resident of Woodbury, Minnesota, Greig is a Princeton University graduate, with an AB in Economics, and has an MBA from New York University in Finance.

A Ph.D student at Charles University, currently working as a researcher on reading literacy development through mobile learning technologies in primary education. An ambitious, hard-working and highly organized individual, able to accomplish high-volume work and provide high-quality projects. Passionate to deepen her knowledge for academic and professional career progression.

LTA has been awarded 3 regional EMMYS; a STEMmy as Organization of the Year, by the Gaskins Foundation. Our CEO, Kathy Wade was the 2023 Governor's Award winner in Arts Administration and the Marian A. Spencer Mosaic Award. LTA recently presented at the AIO conference in Toledo by the OAC.

Karen is an early-childhood literacy consultant. Speaking experiences include: May 2024 Literacy: The Key to Vibrant Communities. SALT Luncheon, Memphis, TN April 2023 World Literacy Summit. Oxford University, Oxford April 2020 World Literacy Summit. Oxford University, Oxford March 2019 Shelby County Schools Teacher of the Year Gala. Memphis, TN.

Kalpana M. Iyengar earned her PhD in literacy at the University of Texas - San Antonio. She was later awarded a postdoctoral fellowship in the Bicultural Bilingual Studies Department. Dr. Iyengar’s research foci include cultural preservation, literacy, teacher preparation, Indic cultures, and multicultural education. She has co-edited three books.