About Us
We help schools reach their literacy potential. We have worked to raise students' literacy skills for years, as educators, researchers, and instructional leaders.
Our Story
Our story began at Harvard, Boston Public Schools and Cambridge Public Schools, where Joshua Lawrence and Jacy Ippolito merged their expertise in adolescent literacy and literacy coaching. This collaboration sparked a series of workshops bringing the science of reading comprehension to middle and high school content area teachers. Recognizing the limitations of traditional methods, Josh founded Reading Ways to explore how technology could transform collaborative learning and organizational change in schools. Our journey, fueled by a dedicated team including Erin, Maria, Quanah, and our cherished alumni Jenny and Mattia, took off in Ohio with a pilot program in ten schools. Backed by the Institute of Educational Sciences and guided by COO Jay Fahey and national coaching director Shannon Bosley, we are continuously evolving.
Our Mission
Our mission is to foster disciplinary literacy for secondary schools by empowering teachers with current, leading, evidence-based strategies through effective, self-sustainable professional development to provide students access to relevant new learning practices.
The Reading Ways Difference
Based on leading Adult Learning practices, our approach is specifically designed for educators to successfully adopt new practices through internally led peer-to-peer collaborative learning. To accomplish this, Reading Ways:
Provides curated, adaptable content for professional development and classroom resources.
Builds school learning capacity for sustainable, organization-wide professional growth and development.
Provides a technology platform for program execution with data-driven insights into teacher engagement.
Leadership Team
Shannon Bosley
Shannon Bosley, Ed.D., is a 25-year K-12 educational veteran who has served as a middle language arts teacher, school librarian, instructional coach, district technology and curriculum coordinator, and educational consultant. She earned her doctorate in Leadership Studies at Xavier University where she studied reading engagement and leadership effectiveness for school principals. Currently, she is the Principal Investigator (PI) of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the Institute of Educational Sciences. Her research project examines the Sustainable Coaching and Adaptive Learning for Education (SCALE) model that Reading Ways uses to bring research-based practices to classrooms nationally. Shannon is passionate about promoting adolescent literacy and continues to research reading engagement and motivation for both adolescents and adults.
Selected publications
Erin Kourafas
Erin Kourafas has years of experience working with students with disabilities at the secondary and university level. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts of Boston with a Masters degree in Education she transitioned from teaching special education to working with the same population at the university level, most notably establishing a partnership program at Salem State University that offered transition-age students currently enrolled in their high schools a college experience. After moving to Norway, she was eager to remain in the educational field and is delighted to be continuing her work in education. Although a slightly different venture from her past, it fits well with her personal mission to offer support to every student in reading, writing, speaking, and learning across content areas through the building of instructional leadership and disciplinary literacy in schools.
Selected publications
Joshua Lawrence
Josh Lawrence is a Professor at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Educational Sciences where he teaches quantitative research methods. As the co-founder of Reading Ways, he brings his expertise as a coach and experience with hybrid learning to the organization's innovative professional learning model. In his role as the Chair of the Research Advisory Board, Josh has played a crucial role in shaping the company's current courses and research-based approaches, as well as guiding the development of the resource library. More at www.joshualawrence.com.
- Improving the Accuracy of Academic Vocabulary Assessment for English Language Learners, $1,600,000. (David Francis, PI). Role: Co-PI. US Department of Education, IES Goal 3, #R305A120045.
- Randomized Trial of the Word Generation Program, $2,853,517. (Catherine Snow, PI). Role: Coordinator.US Department of Education, IES Goal 3, # R305A090555. 2009 – 2013.
- Academic research site http://readingresearch.info/
- Lawrence, J.F., Knoph, R., McIlraith, A., Kulesz, P., & Francis, D. (in press). Reading Comprehension and Academic Vocabulary: Exploring Relations of Item Features and Reading Proficiency. Reading Research Quarterly.
- Hagen, Å, Knoph, R., Hjetland, H.N., Rogde, K., Lawrence, J.F., Lervåg, A., Melby-Lervåg, M. (in press). Measuring Listening Comprehension and Predicting Language Development in At-Risk Preschoolers Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research (CSJE). https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2021.1939136 .
- Lawrence, J. F., Hagen, Å.M., Hwang, J.K., Lin, G., & Lervåg, A. (2019). Academic vocabulary and reading comprehension: exploring the relationships across measures of vocabularyknowledge. Reading and Writing. https://rdcu.be/OzX9
- Taylor, K. S., Lawrence, J. F., Connor, C. M., & Snow, C. E. (2018). Cognitive and linguistic features of adolescent argumentative writing: Do connectives signal more complex reasoning?Reading and Writing. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-018-9898 Argumentative Organizer
- †Hwang, J. K., Lawrence, J. F., & Snow, C. E. (2017). Defying expectations: Vocabulary growth trajectories of high performing language minority students. Reading and Writing, 30(4), 829–856. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-016-9703-3 (online first edition)
- Lawrence, J. F., Francis, D., Paré-Blagoev, E.J., & Snow, C. E. (2017). The Poor Get Richer: Heterogeneity in the Efficacy of a School-Level Intervention for Academic Language. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, 10(4), 767–793. https://doi.org/10.1080/19345747.2016.1237596 (online first edition)
- † Hwang, J. K., Lawrence, J. F., Collins, P., & Snow, C. (2017). Vocabulary and reading performances of redesignated fluent English proficient students. TESOL Quarterly, 51(4), 757–786. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.346
- † Lin, A.R., Lawrence, J.F., Snow, C.E., & † Taylor, K. (2016). Assessing adolescents’ communicative self-efficacy to discuss controversial issues: Findings from a randomized study of the Word Generation program. Theory and Research in Social Education, 44(3), 316-343 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2016.1203852
- Lawrence, J. F., ‡ Niiya, M., & Warschauer, M. (2016). Narrative writing in digital formats: Interpreting the impact of audience. Psychology of Language and Communication, 20(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/plc-2015-0012
Maria Ferreira
Maria Ferreira is studying architecture at Instituto Superior Técnico, part of University of Lisbon, Portugal. She is currently working on her thesis and is taking on part-time, freelance jobs related to marketing and design. After winning one of Reading Ways’ design contests, she has been part of its team, working as a web assistant that focuses on designing resources, website management and video production.
Selected publications
Quanah Lawrence
Quanah Lawrence graduated from York University with a Film Production BFA. She specializes in editing and post production work and is excited to bring these skills to the Reading Ways team. The unique and impactful work at Reading Ways appeals to her interest in education which has been fostered in her family by generations of educators. While she focuses on video production, she enjoys the many opportunities Reading Ways provides to work in a variety of fields, including resource development, research, and customer success.
Selected publications
Advisory Board
The Research Advisory Board provides insight into matters relating to instructional practice, adolescent literacy, child development, and academic language. The board meets at least once a year and is chaired by Josh Lawrence, Reading Ways founder.
Dianna Townsend
Dr. Townsend’s research centers on the academic language development of adolescent students, with specific attention to academic vocabulary, comprehension, and disciplinary literacy. She examines both the unique academic language demands of the disciplines and effective instructional strategies to help students understand and use academic language in and across academic disciplines. Her current project, funded by the Spencer Foundation, is an intervention study comparing how different types of background knowledge and academic vocabulary scaffolding impact the reading comprehension of multilingual adolescents. Dr. Townsend’s work has been published in Reading Research Quarterly, The Elementary School Journal, The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, and Topics in Language Disorders, as well as in other journals and multiple books.
Journal Publications, Refereed (*student co-authors)
- Townsend, D., Taboada Barber, A., Carter, H., & Salas, R. (2020). More than words: Older adolescents’ Linguistic resources in the context of disciplinary achievement and academic risk. Journal of Reading Psychology, DOI: 10.1080/02702711.2020.1782291.
- Townsend, D., Baxter, A., Keller, A. & Carter, H. (2020). Word walls in social studies: One solution to the “Vocabulary Conundrum”. Social Education, 84 (5), 313-318.
- *Freeman, N., Townsend, D., & Templeton, S. (2019). Thinking about Words: First Graders’ Response to Morphological Instruction. The Reading Teacher, 72(4), 463-473.
- *Sweeney, M. & Townsend, D. (2018). An Analysis of Discipline-Specific Academic Language Learning in Middle-School Students. Middle Grades Research Journal, 12(1), 9-21.
- Townsend, D., Brock, C., & Morrison, J. (2018). Engaging in vocabulary learning in science: The promise of multimodal instruction. International Journal of Science Education, 40(3), 328-347.
- *Carter, H., *Crowley, K., Townsend, D., & Barone, D. (2016). Secondary teachers’ reflections from a year of professional learning related to academic language. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. 60(3), 325-334.
- Townsend, D., Bear, D., Templeton, S., & *Burton, A. (2016). The implications of adolescents’ academic word knowledge for achievement and instruction. Journal of Reading Psychology, 37(8), 1119-1148.
- Townsend, D. & Kiernan, D. (2015). Selecting academic vocabulary words worth learning. The Reading Teacher, 69 (1), 113-118.
- Townsend, D. (2015). Who’s using the language? Supporting middle school students with content area academic language. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 58 (5), 376-387.
- *Larson, L., *Dixon, T. & Townsend, D. (2013). Students' active academic vocabulary use in social studies classrooms. Voices from the Middle, 20 (4), 16-21.
- Taboada, A., Townsend. D., & Boynton, M.J. (2013). Mediating effects of reading engagement on the reading comprehension of early adolescent English language learners. Reading & Writing Quarterly, 29 (4), 309-332.
- Townsend, D., Filippini, A., Collins, P., & Biancarosa, G. (2012). Evidence for the importance of academic word knowledge for the academic achievement of diverse middle school students. Elementary School Journal, 113, 497-519.
- Nagy, W.M. & Townsend, D. (2012). Words as tools: ‘Learning academic vocabulary’ as language acquisition. Reading Research Quarterly.
- Martinez, M. & Townsend, D. (2011). Specific language as constituents of intelligence. The American Journal of Semiotics. 27, 95-112.
- Townsend, D. & Lapp, D. (2010). Academic language, discourse communities, and technology: Building students’ linguistic resources. Teacher Education Quarterly, Special Online Addition. Retrieved from http://teqjournal.org/townsend_lapp.html.
- Townsend, D. (2009). Building academic vocabulary in after school settings: Games for growth with middle school English learners. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 53, 242-251.
- Townsend, D. & Collins, P. (2009). Academic vocabulary and middle school English learners: An intervention study. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 22, 993-1020.
- Townsend, D. & Collins, P. (2008). English or Spanish? Assessing Latino/a children in the home and school languages for risk of reading disabilities. Topics in Language Disorders, 28, 61-83.
Books
- Templeton, S., Bear, D., Invernizzi, M., Johnston, F., Flanigan, K., Townsend, D., Helman, L., Hayes, L. (2014). Words their way: Vocabulary for middle and secondary students, 2E. Boston, MA: Pearson.
- Brock, C., Lapp, D., Salas, R., & Townsend, D. (Eds.). (2009). Academic literacy for English learners: High quality instruction across content areas. New York: Teachers College Press.
Research Handbook Chapters
- Townsend, D., Taboada Barber, A., & *Carter, H. (in press). Academic language and accessing text. In Moje, E.B, Afflerbach, P., Enciso, P., & Lesaux, N.K. (Eds.) Handbook of reading research, v5. New York, NY: Routledge.
- Strickland, D. & Townsend, D. (2010). The development of literacy in the elementary school. In Lapp, D. & Fisher, D. (Eds.) Handbook of research on teaching the English language arts, Volume III. New York: Routledge, 46-52.
- Pennington, J., Brock, C., Thompson, G., Townsend, D., & Lapp, D. (2009). Academic English & African American Vernacular English: Exploring possibilities for promoting the literacy learning of all children. In L.M. Morrow, R. Rueda, & D. Lapp (Eds.) Handbook of research on literacy instruction: Issues of diversity, policy, and equity. New York: Guilford.
Book Chapters
- Townsend, D. (in press). Academic Vocabulary: When and for Whom? All the Time, for All Students! In Ganske, K. Mindful of words. New York: Guilford Press.
- Townsend, D. (2011). If you want them to learn academic English - teach it to them. In Lapp, D. & Moss, B. (Eds.) Teaching with rigor: Supporting multiple ways of learning. New York: Guilford Press.
- Brock, C., Pennington, J., Oikonomidoy, E., & Townsend, D. (2010). “It’s just like telling them they will never be scientists”: Helen’s journey transforming linguistic and racial categories. In Li, G. & Edwards, P. (Eds.) Best practices in ELL instruction. New York: Guilford, 328-352.
- Townsend, D., Brock, C., Lapp, D., & Salas, R. (2009). Designing meaningful integrated instruction to promote academic English proficiency: Some tips for teachers. In Brock, C. Lapp, D. Salas, R., & Townsend, D. (Eds.) Academic literacy for English learners: High quality instruction across content areas. New York: Teachers College Press.
- Martinez, M. & Townsend, D. (2006). IQ and the brain. In Feinstein, S., (Ed.) Learning and the brain: An Encyclopedia. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.
Other Professional, Non-Refereed Publications
- Townsend, D. (2017). Report of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Vocabulary Panel. National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES, U.S. Department of Education) and Educational Testing Service (ETS).
- Townsend, D. & Kiernan, D. (2016). Galena High School Authentic Literacy Committee: Strategies for supporting literacy in the disciplines. Reno, NV: WCSD Striving Readers Grant & University of Nevada, Reno.
- Townsend, D., Tovinen, L., Johnson, L., & Kiernan, D. (2015). Active academic vocabulary practice in all content areas: A summary report. Reno, NV: WCSD Striving Readers Grant & University of Nevada, Reno.
- Nagy, W. & Townsend, D. (2012). Response to Krashen (response to letter to the editor). Reading Research Quarterly, 47, 234.
- Townsend, D. (2008). WCSD Academic English and Diverse Middle School Students Study: Phase 1 Summary Report. Research report prepared by D. Townsend and submitted to Washoe County School District.
Works in Progress
- *Carter, H. & Townsend, D. (under review). Secondary teachers’ reflections on writing in the content areas. Under review with Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice.
- Townsend, D. & *Carter, H. (revised and resubmitted). What’s the purpose? A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Disciplinary Reading in High School Classrooms. Under review at Reading Research Quarterly.
- Townsend, D. (contracted book in progress). Words worth using. Contract with Teachers College Press, deadline June 12, 2020
Sarah Lupo
Dr. Sarah Lupo is an Assistant Professor in the Early, Elementary, and Literacy Department at James Madison University. She has extensive teaching experience as an ESL teacher, English teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach in grades K-12 in Washington D.C., Istanbul, Turkey, Phoenix, AZ, and Charlottesville, VA. Dr. Lupo’s has published dozens of articles and chapters in publications such as Reading Research Quarterly, Reading Teacher, Journal of Adult and Adolescent Literacy, and Literacy Today. Her research focuses on exploring the influence of various aspects of text complexity on readers’ comprehension, such as knowledge, and how instruction can be differentiated to support all readers’ understanding of challenging texts across the content areas. Her work strives to position all learners’ as capable and bringing cultural and linguistic assets to the reading experience. Dr. Lupo strives to put theory into practice to find practical ways teachers can improve comprehension for K-12 students in order to enhance literacy instruction for all students, especially those from nondominant backgrounds.
- Lupo, S. M., Hardigree, C., Thacker, E., Sawyer, A., & Merritt, J. (in press). Teaching disciplinary literacy in grades K-6: Infusing content with reading, writing, and language. New York: Routledge.
- Tortorelli, L., Lupo, S. M., Wheatley, B., (2021). Examining teacher preparation for code-related reading instruction: An integrated literature review. Reading Research Quarterly, second special issue on the science of reading.
- Hwang, H., Lupo, S. M., Cabell, S., & Wen, S. (2020). Leveraging the literacy block for knowledge building: What the research says about teaching content during literacy. Reading in Virginia.
- Hattan, C., & Lupo, S. M. (2020). Rethinking the Role of Knowledge in the K-12 Literacy Classroom. Reading Research Quarterly (S2), 83-98. doi:10.1002/rrq.350
Jacy Ippolito
Jacy completed his doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education on literacy coaching and school reform. He is a national leader in coaching and professional learning. He has published over a dozen articles on coaching and school leadership, written or edited five books on adolescent literacy or instructional leadership, and currently co-directs the Educational Leadership program at Salem State University, where he has also served as department chair. Jacy advises Reading Ways on matters related to coaching and professional learning.
- Fahey, K., Breidenstein, A., Ippolito, J. & Hensley, F. An UnCommon Theory of School Change: Leadership for Reinventing Schools. (Teachers College Press, 2019).
- Ippolito, J., Dobbs, C. L. & Charner-Laird, M. Disciplinary Literacy: Inquiry and Instruction. (Learning Sciences, 2019).
- Bean, R. M. & Ippolito, J. Cultivating coaching mindsets: An action guide for literacy leaders. (Learning Sciences International, 2016).
- Department Chair, Salem State University, School of Education, Salem, MA, Secondary and Higher Education Department
- Lead writer for Standard 6, International Literacy Association Standards Revision Committee, charged with revising U.S./International Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals (2017), serving from 2015-2018
- Board Member for the Specialized Literacy Professionals SIG (Special Interest Group), an affiliate of the International Literacy Association (2017-2019)