Shareen Fernanders

Dr. Shareen Fernanders serves as the Director of Early Literacy Strategy for DC Public Schools focused on advancing Early Literacy initiatives at a system level. She holds a BA in Human Development from Binghamton University, a Masters in Elementary Education from Mercy College, and an EdD from American University, where she currently serves as an Early Literacy Intervention Fellow and faculty member. An educator for 20 years, she is an expert reading interventionist, an experienced elementary instructional coach, and has managed of literacy curriculum, assessment, and professional development. Shareen holds an Administrative Certification in the District of Columbia, currently serves as a founding board member with D.C.’s chapter of the Reading League, and is a member of the first D.C. Early Literacy Task Force. Her research foci include explorations of equity-centered system leadership practices and ecological characteristics of district offices that improve early literacy outcomes for our district's most vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved student populations.