How to Use Summer Reading to Actually Accelerate Achievement with Paul von Hippel

Paul von Hippel is a professor of public policy, sociology, statistics and data science at the University of Texas, Austin, known for his work on summer learning, summer weight gain, research design, meta-science, and missing data. He is the current Associate Dean of Research in the LBJ School of Public Affairs and serves on the boards of several educational nonprofits and startups. He works on evidence-based policy, education and inequality, and transforming education through technology and the science of learning. He has won three best-article awards for his work on education and obesity, as well as the 2019 Leo Goodman Award for contributions to statistical methods within 15 years of receiving a PhD. Before his academic career, he worked as a data scientist, using predictive analytics to help banks prevent fraud. He holds degrees in statistics and sociology from Ohio State University, as well as degrees in music from Yale and Stanford. He still plays jazz piano.

Terri K. Hunt, M.Ed. is the Impact Manager at Just Right Reader. She creates content for students and teachers that is both diverse and engaging. Her mission as a professional is to teach well and lead the way. At her core, Terri is a teacher who takes great pride in the role she plays in the life of every learner. With over 20 years of experience in education, Terri has engaged a wide range of learners from the elementary classroom to the professional development of instructional leaders. Terri obtained her undergraduate degree in education from Oakwood University (formerly Oakwood College) and her graduate degree in educational psychology from the University of Georgia. She holds a gifted endorsement as well as a reading certification.

Just Right Reader was founded by Sara Rich, a principal, who is passionate about kids, books, teaching and, most of all, making reading fun and accessible for all.

Sara was a principal for more than 20 years, and she specializes in reading and literacy development. She traveled to more than 35 states training teachers and principals in reading and writing skill development. Because of her success in supporting schools to raise reading achievement levels, she was recognized as San Francisco Mayor's Principal of the Year.

And yet, a few years ago, her own daughter, Izzie, was struggling to read. This was a tough realization. So she jumped in and did what she knew and started working with Izzie to support her as a reader. Sara brought home decodable books from school and celelebrated Izzie's growth. When Izzie conquered a reading skill, Sara would determine her new reading needs and start again.

Sara and Izzie felt that the decodables that they read together could be more engaging and just plain old more fun. So Sara recruited a team of reading experts and phonics leaders and started the hard work of making decodables better for students, families, and teachers. Thus was born the idea for Just Right Reader.

Our mission is to make reading fun and for students to learn to read with engaging decodables that are representative of students in America's schools. When students want to read and feel successful, their achievement rises!