About the Presenters

Purnima Chopra-Vohra serves as Director of Programs at Lavinia Group. In this role, she is responsible for researching, planning, developing, and implementing professional development within the organization. Most recently, she developed several Science of Reading literacy courses that provide research-based training for teachers and leaders across the country. Before joining Lavinia Group, she provided 13 years of literacy professional development consulting in New York City.

Lydia Cuomo, Instructional Consultant, brings over 15 years of education experience to Lavinia Group. Before joining Lavinia Group, Lydia was an instructional coach and classroom teacher supporting middle school and elementary grades in math and ELA. Previously, Lydia taught kindergarten and second grade in the South Bronx in general and special education classrooms.

Ambrosia Johnson, an Instructional Consultant & Institute Lead at Lavinia Group, drives rapid development in leaders and teachers, impacting student success through instructional plans. With expertise in Elementary ELA & Math, she provides onsite coaching, data analysis, and conducts stakeholder meetings to monitor progress and create targeted plans for academic leaders. As an Institute Lead, she designs and leads engaging professional development based on scientific data. Her efforts transformed student outcomes at partner schools, notably improving Promise Academy Hollywood and Springhill in Memphis, TN, with remarkable academic growth in a short period. Before Lavinia, Ambrosia was a classroom teacher, literacy coach, adjunct professor, and founder of Ivy Hill Prep in Brooklyn, NY, a charter school celebrated for academic excellence under her leadership, even during remote learning challenges. Ambrosia holds a master’s in teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.