Celebrating the 2025 Science of Reading Star Awards finalists
Every day, teachers and education leaders across the country are guiding students toward a future lit up by literacy.
It’s not always easy—especially when they’re the ones championing and implementing shifts toward literacy programs grounded in the Science of Reading.
That’s why we’re thrilled to celebrate the finalists of the 2025 Science of Reading Star Awards!
These awards recognize the educators who go above and beyond to make evidence-based reading instruction a reality for students learning in their schools and districts. Whether they’re rolling out new district-wide literacy programs, coaching fellow educators, or introducing innovative teaching practices, these education leaders are making a real difference for students.
And just like the light from distant stars, the impact of their efforts reaches far and wide, shaping futures for years to come.
Empowering students through literacy
The Science of Reading Star Awards aim a beacon on the champions of literacy—teachers, administrators, and education leaders who are putting the best literacy research into action.
Studies show that systematic phonics instruction—one of the key components of the Science of Reading—leads to significantly higher reading achievement than alternative methods, particularly for struggling readers. Literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading strengthens critical thinking by systematically building the language comprehension skills—like vocabulary, syntax, and background knowledge—that students need to make meaning, draw inferences, and evaluate ideas in complex texts. And when you teach knowledge in tandem with literacy, you inspire students to become confident readers, writers, and thinkers.
But shifting to instruction aligned to the Science of Reading isn’t just about swapping one program for another or bringing innovative teaching methods into one classroom—it’s about leading change, engaging stakeholders, and being an inspiration to others.
These awards celebrate the educators, schools, and districts whose innovative approach to literacy is doing just that. Here’s a look at this year’s categories and finalists:
- District: The District Captain For the leaders bringing Science of Reading practices to life across entire districts
- Puyallup School District, WA
- Celina City Schools, OH
- Waukegan CUSD #60, IL
- Madison County School District, MS
- School: The Literacy Legend For the school that has seen significant reading gains among their students school-wide when using the Science of Reading
- Angie Grant Elementary School, Benton School District, AR
- Bataan Memorial Primary School, Port Clinton City School District, OH
- Bruin Point Elementary School, Carbon School District, UT
- Individual: The Changemaker For showcasing exemplary Science of Reading routines and practices, and serving as an inspiration to others on the journey
- Stephanie Wilcox, District Elementary School Improvement Specialist, Redmond School District, OR
- Emily Tessalone Garcia, Grade 8 Teacher, Passaic City Public School District, NJ
- Reena Mathew, Literacy Coach, Suffern Central School District, NY
- Individual: The Language Luminary For outstanding success in developing the skills and strengths of multilingual/English learners
- Johanna Quinde, Teacher, The Nancy DeBenedittis School, NY
- Dayana Orozco Rojas, Kindergarten Dual Language Teacher, Kannapolis City School District, NC
- Eimy Maria Galindo Medina, Grade 2 DLI Teacher, Denver Public Schools, CO
- Individual: The Background Knowledge Builder For showing the world that the Science of Reading empowers students with knowledge, context, and vocabulary from elementary through middle school
- Ann Ingham, Grade 3 Teacher, Cedarburg School District, WI
- Katie Chappell. Grade 5 Teacher, Rome City School District, GA
- Demi Grosely, Teacher, Clarkston School District, WA
- Individual: The MTSS Maestro For implementing a data-driven Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework that creates a thriving and robust literacy ecosystem
- Samantha Umali, Special Education Teacher and Elementary K–4 General Education Teacher, Bering Strait School District, AK
- Kylie Altier, Grade 1 Teacher, East Baton Rouge Parish School System, LA
- Erin Custadio, Elementary Literacy Manager, Falmouth Public School District, MA
- Victoria Green, Reading Specialist, Roswell Independent School District, NM
- Individual: The Science of Reading Rookie For a teacher in their first year already making strides with the Science of Reading
- Miracle Austin, Kindergarten Teacher, Guilford Preparatory Academy, NC
- Pei-Ching Peng, Instructional Apprentice, Uplift Elevate Preparatory, TX
- Todd Payne, Elementary Teacher, Renaissance School, WI
- Individual: The Cross-Disciplinarian For skilled weaving of literacy practices across subject areas in the classroom
- Katie Kirkpatrick, Teacher, Graham Dustin Public Schools, OK
- Laura Horvath, K–12 Science & Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Harrison School District 2, CO
- Christina Miller, Lower Elementary Teacher, South Bend Community School Corporation, IN
- Individual: The Writing Whiz For integrating writing instruction with the Science of Reading and cultivating articulate and confident writers through innovative and effective practices
- Michelle Luebbering, Grade 5 Teacher, Jefferson City School District, MO
- Jennifer Dove, Grade 3 Teacher, Rockingham County Public School District, VA
- Daphne Long, Teacher, St. Clair County School District, AL
From districts undergoing transformations to educators supporting professional development on the ground, these finalists are proving that with the right approach—and the right support—every child can become a strong reader.
Congratulations, finalists! We know the long hours, extra effort, and deep belief in your students that fuels your work. You’re making the future brighter, one reader at a time!
Learn more on our Science of Reading Star Awards page.
