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.

Chair: Maria Paz Galarce Crain

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: Adam Brieski-Ulenski ‍
and Mary Weatherby

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: Holly Banusiewicz
and Kim Kelley

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

Chair: Susan Flis

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: Lilyanna Bain

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

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

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

Chair: Nancy Verdolino‍

The Mini-grant Committee encourages Local and Special Interest Councils to expand and build upon their accomplishments through financial assistance. Mini-grant Projects help to improve the literacy of readers in Massachusetts through Local and Special Interest Council activities.

Co-chairs: Sherry Alleman
and Mary Weatherby

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).

Chair: Melissa Keh

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

Co-chairs: Mary Fischer‍
and Jo Ann Thompson

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:‍ ‍Kerri Fuller

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 Beacon is a full-length, peer-reviewed journal.

Editor: Susan Flis

The Publicity Chair works closely with the Conference Chair to promote the annual conference through the MRA website, social media, board meeting updates, and other communication channels. Responsibilities include coordinating publicity with local councils, school districts, and partner organizations; encouraging statewide promotion of the conference; managing social media throughout the year according to the Publicity Calendar; and preparing a post-conference website update featuring highlights and photos.

Chair: Mary Giuffre
and Erin O’Leary

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

Co-chairs: Terrie Marr
and Nancy Witherell

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.

Chair: Patricia Crain de Galarce

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: Marlene Correia