Dr. Laura Tortorelli is an Associate Professor of Elementary Literacy in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Reading Education from the University of Virginia. Her scholarship examines the texts, technology, and instructional practices that support early reading acquisition in school contexts. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the International Literacy Association. She has been named an Emerging Scholar by the Reading Hall of Fame and a Jeanne Chall Visiting Researcher by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is currently an associate editor of The Reading Teacher. Her current projects include a research-practice partnership to examine how teachers use digital texts for reading instruction, funded by the Spencer Foundation, and the Read STOP Write project to develop decoding and fluency instruction embedded in informational text reading, funded by the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund.

Dr. Tanya Wilson-Thevanesan has committed her career to eliminating barriers to access and opportunities for each student. Dr. Tanya Wilson-Thevanesan currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent for School Improvement and Community Engagement in the Fairport Central School District, located in Upstate New York. Prior to this role, Dr. Wilson-Thevanesan worked as a principal in the Rochester City School District for 10 years. Her strategic planning skills, honed through a background as a special education
teacher and elementary principal, were instrumental in aligning the East EPO's goals with the state's framework for improvement. Under her leadership, the graduation rate surged from 33% to an impressive 85%, reflecting her commitment to inclusive education and ensuring that no student was left behind. She enacts the same passion and dedication to her work on the Regional Equity Network (REN) steering committee and as chair of the REN Summer Institute, drawing over 300 educators from across New York State annually.
Dr. Wilson-Thevanesan received her Bachelor's degree from Nazareth University and both her Master's and Doctoral degrees from St. John Fisher University.

A deliberate and confident advocate for all students, Dr. Barbara Mullen is a student-centered
leader who always seeks ways for her organization to improve. She has been superintendent of
the Rush-Henrietta Central School District in suburban Rochester, New York, since April 2023.
Before joining Rush-Henrietta, Dr. Mullen served as the Assistant Superintendent of the Office
of Student Services for Cambridge Public Schools in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There, she led
successful efforts to accelerate student learning, promote equity in achievement, and prepare
students for meaningful careers.
Dr. Mullen also has served as the Chief of Equity, Culture, and Student Support in Providence
Public Schools, Rhode Island. In that role, she helped increase the number of English Language
Learners and students with disabilities enrolled in advanced courses by 80 percent. In Rhode
Island, she also served as lead systems coach for the Principal Residency Network, preparing
and coaching aspiring principals and building leaders.
A curious, results-oriented leader, Mullen brings with her experience in special education, too.
As Special Education Lead for Houston Independent School District - the largest district in
Texas - she oversaw implementation of the district’s strategic vision for inclusion support across
275 schools. This work resulted in academic gains and improved IEP fulfillment across the
district.
The importance of education has been ingrained in Dr. Mullen since childhood. She is the child
of two educators and followed joyfully in their footsteps. She received her bachelor’s degree
from Northern Illinois University, as well as a master’s degree in special education from Quincy
University. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education Administration and Leadership from Capella
University
In December 2023, Dr. Mullen received national recognition as she was awarded the Leaders of
Distinction Award by District Administration Leadership Institute, the premier national
membership organization for school district leaders.