RIF’s literacy experts are former classroom teachers and certified reading specialists that deliver educational content that empowers individuals to grow as literacy champions in the classroom.

Dr. Erin Bailey

Vice President, Literacy Programs and Research

Erin Bailey, Ed.D., joined Reading Is Fundamental in 2021 and currently serves as the Vice President of Literacy Programs and Research. Her role includes serving as the subject matter expert and developing, curating, and managing content and professional learning for educators and families on literacy. Dr. Bailey has been an educator in U.S. and international classrooms. Her teaching experience spans from PreK-8 including roles as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, English language learning specialist, and university instructor.

Karly O' Brien

Senior Associate, Professional Development

Karly is a certified reading specialist, former educator, and currently works at Reading Is Fundamental as the Senior Associate of Professional Development. She serves as an organization-based resource, demonstrating knowledge of evidence-based foundations of literacy and language and how they relate to RIF's mission. In this role, Karly designs, facilitates, and leads professional learning experiences for the RIF community and programmatic stakeholders. During her undergraduate time, she engaged with educational research, specifically looking at the effectiveness of previously research-based practices within classroom contexts.

RIF professional development often includes invited, distinguished guests in the literacy and education space who join with RIF to share their expertise.