Committees-Chairspersons

Committees support the mission of MRA to promote literacy throughout the state for all learners. Committee Chairs serve as advisors to the MRA Board, providing recommendations regarding programs, projects, and/or matters of interest to the organization. All MRA members are encouraged to become involved in an MRA Committee. If you are interested in joining an MRA Committee, please fill out the Committee Interest Form.

  • The purpose of this committee is to advance the quality of adolescent literacy instruction throughout the state. In addition, this committee disseminates pertinent and current information on adolescent literacy. We encourage all conference attendees to attend the adolescent literacy meet and greet at the annual conference.

    Maria Paz Galarce Crain

    galarcecrain@gmail.com

  • The Budget & Finances Committee ensures the financial stability of the organization and provides financial information and advice so the Executive Board makes decisions that reflect and support the financial stability of the organization.

    Co-chairs

  • The Celebrate Literacy Committee fosters literacy throughout Massachusetts by presenting an annual state award to a candidate who has shown exemplary accomplishments in promoting literacy through instruction, programs, research, and/or other activities.

    Co-Chairs

  • The Conference Committee plans the Annual Conference, a professional development opportunity for educators throughout the state to engage in professional learning and networking.

    Chair

    Adam Brieske-Ulenski, President - Elect | mraadambrieskeulenski@gmail.com.

  • The Donald L. Landry Scholarship Committee works to increase student membership and participation in the organization and promotes literacy by presenting one undergraduate and one graduate student enrolled in an education program a Donald L. Landry Scholarship.

    Chair

    Marlene Correia
    mcorreiamra@gmail.com

  • The Exemplary Reading Committee promotes and administers the Exemplary Reading Award which recognizes outstanding reading and language arts programs at all grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school).

    Chair

    Robin Pratt
    rpratt@awrsd.org   

  • The Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity Committee works to increase the social, ethnic, racial, and linguistic diversity of MRA membership and leadership, seek out and share information about culturally responsive pedagogy, and promote literature featuring diverse authors and characters. The Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee is dedicated to creating a space for justice-oriented educators seeking to build knowledge and be in a community with like-minded educators.

    Chair - Ashley Houston King

    aahk@bu.edu

  • The Families & Literacy Committee supports family literacy in Massachusetts through service projects, research, and/or publications. Advocacy

    Chair

    Nancy Verdolino | nancyverdolinomra@gmail.com

  • The Minigrants Committee encourages local councils to expand and build upon their accomplishments through financial assistance. Minigrant projects help to improve the literacy of Massachusetts’s readers through local council activities.

    Chair

    Mary Wall

    mewall430@gmail.com

  • The Multilingual Learners Committee shares information about English Language Learners by connecting literacy and ESL professionals and informing about research-based instructional practices and serves as liaison to Massachusetts Educators of English Language Learners (MATSOL) and the Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education (MABE).

    Chairs

    Linda Lindsey | spedowl@gmail.com

    Pam Shufro | pshufro1@gmail.com

    Melissa Latham Keh | mkeh@bridgew.edu

  • The Nomination Committee oversees the nomination process and is responsible for evaluating the candidates for the Vice President-elect role on the Executive Committee.

    Chair

    Mary Fischer | mfischer28@gmail.com

  • The Professional Development Committee plans develops and implements a variety of professional development opportunities for members of the organization and other literacy educators and leaders around the state.

    Chair

    Sarah Fennelly | sarahfennelly92@gmail.com

  • The Publications Committee produces two high-quality publications useful to members of the organization. MRA Today is a short, practitioner-focused publication and the MRA Primer is a full-length, peer-reviewed journal.

    Editors

    Elaine Bukowiecki | ebukowiecki@bridgew.edu

    Valerie Harlow Shinas | vshinasmra@gmail.com

  • The Sister Madelon Honor Council Committee commemorates councils’ achievements in supporting literacy by recognizing their efforts to support the mission of MRA.

    Chair

    Mary Ellen Shields | maryellenshields0@gmail.com

  • The purpose of this committee is to support teachers’ engagement with research (as producers and critical consumers) and stimulate research activities in cooperation with other committees. Anyone with IRB approval interested in conducting research with MRA members should reach out to this committee as it determines issues that merit intensive study and makes recommendations of such projects to the MRA executive board.

    Kierstin Giunco | kgiunco@missiongrammar.org

  • The Sylvia D. Brown Scholarship Committee oversees the annual scholarship that supports MRA members in carrying out action research in the field of literacy.

    Chair

    Terrie Marr | themr@themarrs.net