Last night, Reid Castle was alive with energy and purpose as Manhattanville University’s School of Education and The Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy hosted “The Changing Literacy Landscape in New York State: What Parents and Educators Need to Know.”
We are still feeling very excited about the Distinguished Lecture Series last night! When this event was first envisioned, the goal was simple yet ambitious: to bring together voices that could illuminate not only where we are in literacy education, but where we’re headed — and how we can move forward together. Watching that vision come to life this evening was both gratifying and deeply inspiring.
The discussion brought together three remarkable leaders whose work is shaping the future of literacy across New York State: Dr. Sagrario Rudecindo-O’Neill, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Student Support for Beacon City School District; Dr. Katie Pace Miles, Associate Professor at Brooklyn College (CUNY) and Director of the Advanced Certificates in Reading Science; and Ruth Genn, Executive Director of Literacy Academy Collective.
Each panelist offered thoughtful and practical insight from their corner of the field — from classroom practice and district implementation to teacher preparation and policy reform. Their perspectives were candid, informed, and, above all, hopeful. Together, they helped us explore what meaningful literacy instruction looks like and how educators, families, and communities can ensure every child becomes a confident reader and writer.
We all know that whether or not a child learns to read and write well shapes not just their academic success, but the trajectory of their entire life. But it’s not always easy to move past the headlines and buzzwords, to separate research from rhetoric, and to translate research into best practices to meet an individual child’s needs—much less those of a whole class, a district, a state or a nation.
A heartfelt thanks to Sagrario, Katie, and Ruth for bringing such depth, clarity, and passion to the discussion. Your commitment to improving literacy outcomes was felt in every moment. Your thoughtfulness, hard work, and honesty sparked exactly the kind of informed, solutions-focused conversation I hoped for.
The event also underscored the ongoing partnership between the Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy and Manhattanville’s School of Education. Together, we’re creating spaces where research meets practice, where ideas become action, and where collaboration drives progress.
A sincere thank you to our panelists for sharing their expertise, and to everyone who joined us tonight for your engagement, curiosity, and dedication. Your presence and participation made this conversation not just informative but truly meaningful.
This evening reaffirmed why this work matters so deeply — and how much we can accomplish when educators, parents, and advocates come together with a shared purpose: ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive through literacy.
About the Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy
The Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy was founded at Manhattanville in 2013 when Sandra Priest Rose established an endowment to ensure that as many students as possible have teachers who are trained in the most effective research-backed literacy instructional methods. The Rose Institute offers graduate coursework and advanced certificates through Manhattanville and professional development opportunities both in-district and through several partner BOCES.
Manhattanville University School of Education
The School of Education undergraduate and graduate degree programs prepare PreK-12 teachers and administrators, higher education and community leaders, and educational industry entrepreneurs. Having served the tri-state area for over five decades, the Manhattanville School of Education guides new generations of educators to become leaders in their field through unrivaled community-based field experiences in over 25 area schools and educational agencies.
Our graduate and doctoral programs offer a blended learning experience with online, in-person, and hybrid courses, which provide our students with the flexibility and resources they need to fulfill their educational goals.
