Sarah Holbrook of the Kingston City School District accepts role as Fellow at the Science of Reading Center
Center will also partner with KCSD to provide professional learning in evidence-based literacy instruction for city educators
The Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz announces the appointment of Sarah Holbrook ’05 (Elementary Education) ’06g (Special Education) ’17g (Literacy), a passionate advocate for effective reading instruction who currently serves as Director of Humanities for the Kingston City School District, as a Center Fellow.
Holbrook, a three-time SUNY New Paltz alumna, brings two decades of experience as an educational leader in the Hudson Valley to this new role. She has seen first-hand the profound impact that difficulties with reading can have on students, inspiring her work in Kingston and other districts to improve student reading outcomes by helping teachers gain research-proven pedagogical skills and knowledge of the science behind how kids learn to read.
“I am very excited to join the Center for Excellence at SUNY New Paltz, and I look forward to helping continue the important leadership the Center is providing in improving literacy achievement for all students,” Holbrook said. “I firmly believe that learning to read is a fundamental right. Strengthening teacher knowledge and skills is one of the most important ways we can help more young learners gain access to that right and unlock their full potential, today and into the future.”
As a Center Fellow, Holbrook will have new opportunities to reach more educators with professional learning that enhances classroom practice at all levels.
Working alongside the Center’s Visiting Senior Fellow, the nationally recognized education leader Kymyona Burk, Ed. D., and other SUNY New Paltz School of Education faculty, Holbrook will lead development of local implementation tools and other resources that directly support teachers and school leaders in adopting these effective practices in their classrooms.
Holbrook’s appointment comes as the Science of Reading Center has made a new commitment to provide the Kingston City School District with licenses for all educators to enroll in the Science of Reading Fundamentals microcredential, a fully online, self-paced course that introduces research-supported tools and concepts that help more children gain and sustain core reading skills. Nealy 10,000 educators in New York state have completed this highly regarded, peer reviewed course that is eligible for CTLE hours.
“We are excited to partner with the Science of Reading Center to provide professional learning opportunities that will benefit both our teachers and students,” said Alissa Oliveto, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and data at the Kingston City School District. “This collaboration will help to empower our educators to enhance their skills, directly impacting student growth and success. We also feel incredibly lucky to have Ms. Holbrook as the Director of Humanities at KCSD. Her extensive knowledge and passion for teaching reading have played a pivotal role in the positive changes we are making to our instruction.”
About the Science of Reading Center
Founded in 2023, the Science of Reading Center offers a hub of professional learning and development for educators with a shared mission of improving literacy outcomes for children across the U.S., by promoting research-backed knowledge and practices that are proven to help children gain skills and competence as readers. The Center is a source for continuing education, live events and webinars, professional networking and district/education department partnerships.
For more information and to join our mailing list, please visit www.newpaltz.edu/science-of-reading-center/.