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«Back to all edWebinarsThe Power of ACCESS: Why Print Resources Still Matter for Equity, Opportunity, and Early Literacy
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Susan B. Neuman, Professor of Teaching and Learning, Specializing in Childhood Education and Early Literacy Development, New York University
Moderated by Cassondra Mantovani, Vice President of Revenue & Operations, Voyager Sopris Learning®
Sponsored by Voyager Sopris Learning
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Following Dr. Louisa Moats’ inspiring kickoff to The Power of Print Lunch and Learn Week, we welcome Dr. Susan B. Neuman, one of the nation’s most respected early literacy researchers and a leading voice on equity, access, and the role of print in children’s learning environments.
During this research‑rich edWebinar, Dr. Neuman examines the critical importance of print access—especially for children growing up in communities where books are scarce. Drawing on decades of work on book deserts, summer reading loss, and the influence of trusted messengers, she reveals how access to high‑quality print materials can dramatically change children’s literacy trajectories.
This session does not argue against digital tools. Instead, Dr. Neuman shows how print resources remain a powerful, evidence‑based lever for improving vocabulary, background knowledge, reading motivation, and long‑term academic outcomes—particularly for children who need it most.
Educators will learn:
- What research tells us about book deserts and why access to print is still deeply unequal
- How print-rich environments support early language and literacy
- Why summer reading matters—and how print can reduce summer slide
- The role of trusted messengers (teachers, librarians, community leaders) in motivating families to read
- Practical, research-backed strategies for increasing children’s access to books at school, at home, and in the community
Dr. Neuman’s work has shaped national conversations about literacy equity, and her findings offer a compelling case for why print remains essential—even as digital tools expand. This session will equip educators, administrators, and community leaders with actionable steps to ensure every child has the print resources they need to thrive. Join us for this powerful second installment of The Power of Print Week and stay with us for the final session featuring Dr. Lakeisha Johnson.
This edWebinar will be of interest to K-8 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
This edWebinar is part of The Power of Print Week.
About the Presenter
Dr. Susan B. Neuman is a Professor of Teaching and Learning at New York University, specializing in childhood education and early literacy development. Previously, she has been a Professor at the University of Michigan and has served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. In her role as Assistant Secretary, she established the Early Reading First Program and the Early Childhood Educator Professional Development Program, and was responsible for all activities in Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. She has served on the IRA Board of Directors (2001–2003), and other numerous boards of nonprofit organizations, and served as Co-editor of Reading Research Quarterly (2011–2018), ILA’s flagship research journal.
Her research and teaching interests include early childhood policy, curricula, and early reading instruction, PreK–3 for children who live in poverty. Dr. Neuman has received two lifetime achievement awards for research in literacy development, and is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame and a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association. She has written more than 100 articles and authored and edited 12 books. Her Newest, edited by Sonia Q. Cabell, Dr. Neuman, and Nicole Patton Terry, is the Handbook of the Science of Early Literacy (2023), published by Guilford Press, with an additional handbook, authored by Dr. Neuman and Melanie R. Kuhn, Handbook of the Science of Literacy: Grades 3–8.
About the Moderator
Cassondra Mantovani brings more than 25 years of leadership experience at the intersection of education, leadership, and technology–leading teams that directly support teachers and students in classrooms every day across K–12 and higher education. She currently serves as Vice President of Revenue & Operations for Voyager Sopris Learning® and Kurzweil Education, where she has spent more than a decade partnering closely with educators and school leaders to improve outcomes for students. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she has called Dallas home for the past decade. She is deeply driven by the belief that learning to read, empowering students to graduate, and valuing education can fundamentally change the trajectory of a person’s life—opening doors to enhanced life opportunities and lasting family legacy. Above all, she is a proud boy mom, a lifelong learner, and a steadfast advocate for better serving students—today and for generations to come.
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Voyager Sopris Learning® is the specialist in reading, writing, and math intervention. Fully focused on intervention, we have established four decades of results that demonstrate the efficacy of our solutions. Providing a holistic offering of reading, writing, and math interventions and assessments, our solutions help educators create strong, sustainable foundations to ensure academic success for all students.
