Science of Reading Coaching Strategies: Bridging the Gap

About the Presenters

Austen Hecker, Ed.D., is the Coordinator for the America Reads tutoring program and serves as an Outreach Specialist for Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP). She earned her Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia in 2024. Prior to working at the University of Virginia, Dr. Hecker taught English for speakers of other languages in K-8, fifth grade, and a secondary reading intervention program. Her research interests include literacy instructional practice, data-based decision making, equitable literacy practices for culturally and linguistically diverse students, and qualitative methodologies.

Christa Haring, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, has served in the field of education for more than 25 years and has worked with students at every age, from those in early intervention to those completing doctoral programs. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and post-baccalaureate degrees in special education from Brigham Young University, her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Florida State University, and her doctoral degree in learning disabilities and behavior disorders from the University of Texas at Austin. Her doctoral research examined the impact of coaching support on intervention fidelity across teacher and student outcomes, and her post-doctoral program research focused on early language and literacy experiences of children in under-resourced environments.

Prior to coming to work at Virginia Literacy Partnerships, Dr. Haring served as an assistant professor in a pre-service education program and as the national director of research and evaluation for a home visiting program serving families in 96 programs in 25 states across the country. Through decades of work both in the classroom and serving educators as a coach, she has found motivation in the unconquerable spirit and hearts of educators. Their relentless compassion, resilience, innumerable efforts, and persistent dedication in the face of ever-growing challenges and barriers provide inspiration to continue searching for ways to magnify their efforts to increase student understanding.