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Cindy Downend

Associate Director, Literacy Programs

What I like most about my role within the Center is…

I love to teach! It is so rewarding to see how our work with educators can be so empowering and transformative. When you think in new ways about literacy teaching and learning, you change your practice to improve the school experiences of children.

What I believe in

The power of literacy to improve, enrich, and change people’s lives.

Previous work highlights

Many years as a classroom teacher, Reading Recovery teacher, and literacy coach in Michigan, Germany, Minnesota, and Florida.

Favorite book

All The Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr

Fun fact

Many years ago I was smuggled across an international border to go snow-skiing!

Education

MA, Elementary Education, Western Michigan University
EdS, Educational Leadership, Nova Southeastern University

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Featured Blog Posts

June 6, 2023 Linda Murphy, Associate Director of Literacy Programs

The Coaching Notebook: Your Important End of Year Reflection Tool

A coaching notebook is a powerful reflection tool to consider the year’s accomplishments and determine goals for the upcoming school year.

May 2, 2023 Irene Fountas

Embracing the Sciences of Reading: What Every Literacy Teacher Needs to Know

A foundational expectation for every literacy teacher is a strong understanding of the content of the alphabetic system.

April 14, 2023 Afrika Afeni Mills, Education Consultant & Author

Good and Beautiful and Kind

Kids, Books & Anti-Racism Series featured speaker Afrika Afeni Mills highlights how characters on screen and paper broadened her perspective.