Terrie Noland

Terrie Noland, Ph.D., CALP

Vice President of Educator Initiatives

For 25 years, Dr. Terrie Noland has put her energy into education and literacy; first as a teacher and administrator, and now as V.P. of Educator Initiatives for Learning Ally, a nonprofit dedicated to "Literacy for All." Terrie's mission is to spark a flame of enthusiasm in others for continued personal and professional growth and development.

In her daily work, Terrie mentors K-12 educators about the latest research around the science of reading and effective tools and resources that support reading skill practice and language development for underserved student populations. In addition, she hosts a podcast, Learning Ally Literacy Leadership, striving to unify stakeholders in schools and districts (administrators, teachers, specialists and parents,) to build a community of literacy champions and make transformative changes to smash the literacy divide.

Recognized as a thought-leader, Terrie speaks about literacy at national education conferences and webinars that draw thousands of educators to hear captivating stories, take-away strategies, research, and best practices, which she always delivers with humor, and inspiration.

She is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner and stays grounded in a Structured Literacy approach by tutoring students weekly. Terrie has a Ph.D. in Literacy and Educational Leadership from St. John's University. She is a John Maxwell certified speaker, coach, trainer, and member of the President's Advisory Council. She also hosts the Spotlight on Dyslexia and Spotlight on Early Literacy series by Learning Ally and builds communities of educators to advance best practices in classrooms. Terrie's passion runs deep for children not proficient in reading. She is truly an advocate for them and the educators who serve them.

Who We Are

We all have personal stories and motivations that connect us to the Learning Ally mission. Our strength comes from embracing our differences, enjoying and respecting each other, and sharing a passion and commitment to providing equity in education so each student is able to achieve their academic and life goals.

Leadership

Patrick Brennan
“I've always had a personal interest in creating equity and access for all learners, no matter where, or to whom they were born. At Learning Ally, we’re doing that.”
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Patrick Brennan

Vice President of Government Relations

Renee Davenport
“As a former classroom teacher, I am all too familiar with the challenges they face. I came to Learning Ally to join in partnership with Districts and to support building literacy leadership so that teachers have all the resources they need and deserve to support their students in success. ”
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Renee Davenport

Vice President and General Manager
of Education Sales

Sam Edla
“After decades of selling to increase investor value, I am thrilled to apply my experience to helping students succeed. Learning Ally is a rare opportunity to work with an equally talented team while changing lives.”
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Sam Edla

Vice President of Technology

Andrew Friedman
“I see myself in the faces and the struggles of the students we serve. My best day at Learning Ally was being asked by an 8 year old student if she could just give me a hug, because Learning Ally had changed her life. I am proud to be part of an organization that deserves hugs!”
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Andrew Friedman

President and CEO

Cynthia Hamburger
“Because I have dyslexia in my family, I know what it means to struggle to read. I like knowing that we’re making that struggle a little less for our students.”
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Cynthia Hamburger

Senior Advisor

Jeff Ho
“I’ve worked at companies focused solely on profit, but at Learning Ally, when we say that we’re focused on helping students and educators first and foremost, we really mean it. I really appreciate that we’re making a difference.”
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Jeff Ho

Chief Machine Learning & Innovation Officer

Molly Ness
“I'm excited to collaborate with like-minded passionate literacy advocates around effective instruction for all children. I'm thrilled for the chance to impact the professional lives of teachers and the literacy development of students.”
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Molly Ness, Ph.D.

Vice President of Academic Content

Terrie Noland
“A curiosity cap sits atop my head daily. I not only get curious. I stay curious and run headlong into a daily commitment to learn and grow. This curiosity has driven me to smash the literacy divide by sparking a flame of understanding and enthusiasm in others.”
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Terrie Noland, Ph.D., CALP

Vice President of Educator Initiatives

Lee Peters
“As a child of educators and a former adjunct university professor myself, I've witnessed far too many students with an acute lack of the literacy skills necessary for success in college and career. We're helping them change their trajectories.”
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Lee Peters

Chief Operating Officer

Missy Sherburne
“My former students, the educators I’ve worked with, my son and the millions of students who struggle to learn to read, inspire me to do this work. There’s a science to this work of literacy and we need to equip every educator to become literacy leaders, whether they teach Pre-K or Chemistry.”
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Missy Sherburne

Chief of Growth and Strategic Partnerships

Andrew Singleton
“My dream is for other diverse populations to stand on my shoulders to achieve more. That’s only possible if I make a concerted effort to remove all obstacles and help pave the foundation through an organization that embraces DE&I.”
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Andrew Singleton

National Director, Engagement and Inclusion

Elissa Tomasetti
“As the daughter of two NYC educators, I saw firsthand the profound impact teachers can have when they engage their students in learning. Our work at Learning Ally is my part in supporting educators in transformational change and smashing the literacy divide.”
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Elissa Tomasetti

Vice President of Marketing

Steve Valvano
“I believe that the ability to read and grow in one's education is directly linked to one's degree of freedom in life...and what’s more important than that?”
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Steve Valvano

Vice President of Great People,
Human Resources

Heather Wiederstein
“My work here at Learning Ally feels a lot like "coming home.” Having started my career in the classroom, I've learned how to make the lives of students and teachers a little better. It also allows me to be a part of others' classroom practice through the solutions, software, and instruction we deliver.”
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Heather Wiederstein

Vice President of Solutions Development

Tim Wilson
“I have the opportunity to create life-changing impact through providing the tools that increase a student's ability to learn. Helping students reach their full potential is absolutely the best use of my time and knowledge.”
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Tim Wilson

Chief Financial Officer