RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Classics like “Pride and Prejudice.” New titles like “On the Come Up.” Multilingual stories like “Me llamo Celia.”
Hundreds of books, each tied to memories and milestones. That’s what Share Your Favorites evokes – memories of the stories that captured our imagination, helped us through good times and bad, and ignited in us a love of reading.
Because a good book can do all that and more.
Last week, teachers, librarians, politicians, students, and more all participated in the third annual Share Your Favorites social media campaign. They shared with us, and with each other, what books shaped their childhoods and continue to inspire them today. It was a wonderful reminder of the power of storytelling, and of the importance of literacy.
Early literacy is a leading indicator of future success, and it takes everyone – from the teacher at school to the parent at home to the neighbor who sets an example – working together and reinforcing that message in order for reading to be a priority.
You shared your favorites. Now join us to help every young person find a favorite of their own.
Happy reading!
Angélica
New RIDE Team Members!
RIDE is most impactful when we are supporting and helping to build capacity for our LEAs. We want to be a support-driven, rather than a compliance-driven organization. That is the work we love the most.
To help us in this effort, we are so excited to announce that we have several talented, experienced, and energetic individuals joining our team.
Ana Riley, the Superintendent of Portsmouth Schools, will be our new Deputy Commissioner for Instructional Programs. Ana is a well-respected educator who has collaborated with RIDE on many key initiatives. She brings with her well-established relationships with the field, and experience in both urban and suburban districts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Also joining our team will be Kelvin Roldán, Ed.L.D., who will fill a new role – Deputy Commissioner for System Transformation. Kelvin recently earned his PhD in education leadership from Harvard University and has experience in working in low-performing schools, including those in nearby Hartford, Connecticut. Kelvin will oversee the Division of Transformation at RIDE, a new designation for the arm of the agency that oversees school improvement. Within that division, Jen Carney, the director of curriculum for Pawtucket Schools, will fill the newly created role of Director of Schools Systems Improvement. Pascale Thompson has done great work as our Associate Director of School Improvement, and that role will be elevated to make her the Director of School Improvement.
By creating the Division of Transformation, we want to send a clear message: we are serious about school improvement and supporting schools – and struggling schools, in particular – across the state.
Congratulations and welcome to our newest team members!