About Maryland Reads

Maryland READS is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that believes research and data drive discussions that lead to decisions.

Our work will focus on addressing gaps revealed through research, data, and insights on reading instruction in Maryland. We will use the findings from our examination of policies and practices in Maryland to inform governance and legislative plans in partnership with state and local leaders and stakeholders. To ensure that legislation is enacted and successfully implemented, we will build a coalition to support and inform our work.

Vision

Our vision is that Maryland schools will teach every child to read so they are college, career, and life ready.

We do this by spearheading and supporting research, generating and promoting evidence, and building partnerships to inform decision-making with respect to reading among policymakers, educators, and families. We believe that the application of the Science of Reading (SoR) continues to inform practice and that the field is evolving and dynamic.

Mission

Our mission is to improve the effectiveness of reading instruction and ensure that it meets the diverse academic, cultural, and linguistic needs of every student.

Our team is committed to creating a statewide systemic change initiative focused on improving reading instruction in the state of Maryland, modeled after the lessons learned in Mississippi and other states who are beginning to see results from their implementation of SoR. Mississippi's focused, long-term approach to change reading instruction rooted in research and evaluation has achieved notable, positive results for students.

Our Focus

Together, these focus areas form the roadmap to lasting improvement. Improving instruction builds stronger classrooms. Advancing thriving reading ecosystems connect those classrooms to the community. Addressing barriers ensures that every child can benefit fully from both.

Maryland has the data, the tools, and the will to lead the nation. The challenge before us is not whether progress can happen — it already is — but whether we will sustain it. By leading with transparency, collaboration, and heart, Maryland can turn today’s momentum into tomorrow’s measurable success and ensure that every child reads with confidence, curiosity, and purpose.

The following goals guide our work:

Improving Instruction

Maryland must continue to align teaching practice with the Science of Reading, ensuring that every teacher — from pre-K through high school — is equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to teach reading effectively. Sustained investment in coaching, professional learning, and curriculum support will be critical to turning policy into practice and practice into proficiency.

Advancing Thriving Reading Ecosystems

Literacy is not just a school issue; it is a community responsibility. Reading thrives when families, schools, libraries, and local organizations work together to create a culture of reading. Through the READ Strong Network, communities across Maryland are demonstrating how shared commitment can create the conditions where reading flourishes.

Addressing Barriers to Reading Proficiency

Even the strongest instruction and community engagement cannot succeed if barriers persist. Chronic absenteeism and digital overexposure continue to hinder progress. Maryland must continue to strengthen its community schools, promote consistent attendance, and balance digital learning with the deep, focused reading that builds comprehension and empathy.

Leadership

Our projects will be staffed by our network of experts. We welcome researchers and practitioners to join our Expert Advisory Committee. If you are interested, contact us today!

Trish Brennan-Gac, JD

Executive Director

Maryland READS is led by Trish Brennan-Gac, JD, who has over 30 years of experience in government and non-profit management where she managed complex, multi-million-dollar technical assistance projects, fostered partnerships to translate research into practice, and managed outreach and engagement campaigns.

Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger, MEd

Acting Board President

Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger, MEd, is the President and CEO of the Data Quality Campaign, a nonprofit advocacy and policy organization centered around using educational data to drive policy decisions. Previously, she worked at the US Department of Education, where she led a team of researchers and policy analysts to provide expertise and support to staff in using best practices to drive policy decisions. She supported similar efforts at the district level both in the NYC Department of Education and in Baltimore City Public Schools. She resides in Baltimore City, MD.

Darin Bartram

Baker Hostetler

Darin Bartram of Baker Hostetler serves as legal counsel and successfully shepherded our application to the IRS to secure our nonprofit status. We are grateful to Baker Hostetler for their pro-bono support.

Laura Gac

Abod and Associates.

Our finances are managed by Laura Gac of Abod and Associates. Laura brings 35 years of experience in accounting and tax preparation, specializing in complex tax preparation. She has worked with a variety of firms across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors including Maryland-based organizations. We are grateful to Laura for her pro bono support.

Board of Directors

Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger, MEd

President and CEO, Data Quality Campaign

Winsome Waite, PhD

Senior Program Director, Opportunity Institute

Winsome Waite, PhD, has 35 years of experience in K–12 education practice, research, and policy. She is a former Maryland teacher in early childhood, elementary, and secondary schools; an instructor at the graduate level; and a program leader in school district and education nonprofits. She is currently a Senior Program Director at the Opportunity Institute. She resided in Charles County, MD, where she has strong ties and remains active in the community.

Ellen O'Neill, MA

Executive Director, Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center

Ellen O'Neill, MM, is the executive director of the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center, offering IMSLEC-accredited, IDA-endorsed, evidence-based, multisensory techniques in language skills. As the parent of a dyslexic child, Ms. O'Neill is passionate about delivering high-quality education services to children with learning disabilities. She resides in Prince George’s County, MD.

Lisa Blottenberger, MEd

Founder, Boundless Expectations

Lisa Blottenberger, MEd is the founder of Boundless Expectations, providing educational services to children and their families in Southern Maryland. These services include informal diagnostic assessments, consultation, advocacy, and therapy-level tutoring to students with learning challenges. She resides in St. Mary’s County, MD.

Kerri Valencia, EdD

Co-founder, CEO, ConnectEd Consulting, LLC

Dr. Kerri Valencia, CEO of ConnectED Consulting LLC, is an educational leader with decades of experience from Pre-K through higher education. With a background as a Spanish teacher and dual language leader in the U.S. and South America, she prioritizes fostering socio-cultural competence through culturally and linguistically relevant teaching. Dr. Valencia's extensive tenure at Moreland University, spanning roles from teacher candidate to Chief Academic Officer, underscores her deep commitment to teacher development, particularly in literacy instruction. Leading the two-year redesign of Moreland University's teacher preparation program, she embedded the Science of Reading for effective instruction across all grade levels and subject areas. Dr. Valencia currently resides in Montgomery County.

Strategic Advisory Committee

Maryland READS work is informed by the expertise of a range of researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders. Our Expert Advisory committee exists to ensure that the positions we take and the projects we undertake are guided by individuals with deep understanding of the Science of Reading, change management and implementation science, teaching pedagogy, school leadership, and policy development. Meetings are primarily conducted through virtual channels and are scheduled around the availability of committee members.

Join the Strategic Advisory Committee

Expert Advisory Committee

Maryland READS seeks to become a trusted resource among policymakers, practitioners, and members of our state’s reading ecosystem. To offer quality projects and services that inform and improve reading instruction and student reading proficiency, we are developing a network of funders and strategic partners who can support our work. In addition, we are interested in establishing a funder table to support local organizations who are engaging in evidence-based activities to support students and families in their communities. To achieve these objectives, our Strategic Advisory Committee is recruiting members who are willing to engage in fundraising and/or who share their expertise and leverage strategic connections in education and Maryland policy development.

Join the Expert Advisory Committee

Staff

Trish Brennan-Gac, JD

Executive Director

I have over 30 years of experience in helping organizations execute on their mission. I am passionate about harnessing the power of data and research to drive decision making that informs both policy development and implementation at the local level. I reside in Prince George's County, MD.

Genevieve D’Cruz

Community Network Manager

I’m excited to advocate for and support strong reading networks across counties in Maryland so that every child can have access to strong literacy instruction, intervention when needed, and above all, support from multiple sources. I bring a combination of early childhood education experience combined with prior research and writing experience. As a Montessori educator, I am invested in lifelong learning skills and supporting self-sustaining systems and approaches. I reside in Montgomery County, MD.

Kate Stewart-Gerry

Project Manager

I’m excited to use my skills to improve literacy outcomes in my own backyard, both for my child and for all of our children. I bring experience in education settings as well as project management to help keep us organized and running smoothly. I reside in Prince George's County, MD.

Morgan McCrory

Managing Director of Strategy & Operations

I’m excited to bring together my passion for systems-level work, literacy, and cross-sector partnership building to ensure more students experience the life-changing gift of reading proficiency. I bring 15 years of experience working in Maryland as a teacher, nonprofit leader, and social worker, with a deep understanding of how to build coordinated systems and partnerships that translate vision into impact for students and communities. I reside in Prince George's County, MD.

Andy Purdy

Volunteer: Fundraising & Operations Support

It is heartening to be part of a team that is working on one of the most important issues of our time — helping all our children learn to read well. Good people working collaboratively and with intention to promote engagement and make progress is quite a joy. I have lengthy experience with legal challenges, promoting cybersecurity readiness and privacy protection, and corporate and social media communications. I reside in Montgomery County, MD.

Laura Ruskowski

Maryland READS Intern

I am excited to learn more about literacy policy and make a difference for young learners in Maryland! I bring research skills from prior internships and a passion for learning about state policy. I reside in Montgomery County, MD.

Charlotte Sanford

Maryland READS Intern

I’m excited to make an impact on literacy policy and research, connecting what I am doing inside the classroom to the outside! I bring experience in the classroom, working with students working on their own literacy, along with research and communication skills. I reside in Montgomery County, MD

Join the Movement!

About Maryland READS

Vision