Our Mission
The mission of the Central New York Reading Council is to provide professional enhancement, service opportunities, and networking possibilities in order to promote personal and professional growth for those interested or involved in the field of literacy.
Our Goals
Goal 1: Literacy
- To support the efforts of teachers in the utilization of sound teaching practices in reading and writing.
- To promote and encourage the growth of research-based practices in the field of literacy.
- To empower members of the CNYRC to become effective leaders in the field of literacy.
- To provide quality professional development and in-service opportunities for Central New York education professionals.
- To continually revise our strategic agenda for advocacy to further support teachers in the use of sound teaching practices in the area of literacy.
Our Officers
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President
Kate Franz is a Ph.D. candidate in Literacy Education at Syracuse University. Kate holds a C.A.S. in Educational Leadership from Syracuse University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College. She was an elementary teacher and a literacy-focused district administrator before becoming a literacy consultant to districts and educational organizations nationwide. Kate is passionate about ensuring inclusive, equitable, and joyful literacy experiences for all children. Her research interests focus on primary grade writing instruction, foundational reading skills, and educational leadership. You can contact Kate at k[email protected]. |
Past President
Dr. Sarah Fleming is currently an English teacher at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and a former assistant professor of literacy education at SUNY Oswego. Before that, she was a high school English teacher for 21 years, first at Cazenovia High School and then at Westhill High School in Syracuse, NY. Her research interests include young adult literature, antibias and antiracist pedagogy, and critical literacy. Sarah looks for opportunities to work with other educators on ways to disrupt the traditional English language arts curriculum, and she is currently working with ELA teachers to identify and design more equitable assessment practices for English classrooms. To learn more about Sarah, please feel free to email her at [email protected].
Dr. Sarah Fleming is currently an English teacher at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and a former assistant professor of literacy education at SUNY Oswego. Before that, she was a high school English teacher for 21 years, first at Cazenovia High School and then at Westhill High School in Syracuse, NY. Her research interests include young adult literature, antibias and antiracist pedagogy, and critical literacy. Sarah looks for opportunities to work with other educators on ways to disrupt the traditional English language arts curriculum, and she is currently working with ELA teachers to identify and design more equitable assessment practices for English classrooms. To learn more about Sarah, please feel free to email her at [email protected].
Secretary
Molly Lahr is the Principal of LaFayette Intermediate School in Waterloo CSD, serving students in grades 3–5 with a deep commitment to creating a joyful, inclusive, and high-achieving learning community. A passionate literacy advocate, Molly believes that equitable access to strong reading and writing instruction is the foundation for lifelong learning and empowerment. She leads her staff in fostering classrooms where every child is seen, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.
Molly focuses on strengthening teacher collaboration, implementing evidence-based literacy practices, and nurturing a culture of respect, responsibility, engagement, and safety. She is dedicated to supporting both students and educators in their continuous growth through professional learning and purposeful relationship-building You may contact Molly at [email protected]
Molly Lahr is the Principal of LaFayette Intermediate School in Waterloo CSD, serving students in grades 3–5 with a deep commitment to creating a joyful, inclusive, and high-achieving learning community. A passionate literacy advocate, Molly believes that equitable access to strong reading and writing instruction is the foundation for lifelong learning and empowerment. She leads her staff in fostering classrooms where every child is seen, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.
Molly focuses on strengthening teacher collaboration, implementing evidence-based literacy practices, and nurturing a culture of respect, responsibility, engagement, and safety. She is dedicated to supporting both students and educators in their continuous growth through professional learning and purposeful relationship-building You may contact Molly at [email protected]
Treasurer
Andrea L. Tochelli-Ward is an Associate Professor, Department Chair, and the Accreditation Coordinator for Le Moyne College’s Education Department. She earned a Masters of Science in Education at St. John Fisher University and worked as an elementary classroom teacher in Pittsford, NY. Andrea earned a Masters in Education for Literacy Specialists (K-12) before earning her doctorate in Curriculum, Instruction, and the Science of Learning with a concentration in Reading Education from the University at Buffalo, SUNY in 2015. Her research interests include technology and literacy education, responding to literature with various modes of communication, and reflection on pedagogical methods focusing on both K-12 students and undergraduate/graduate students. You can contact Andrea at [email protected].
Andrea L. Tochelli-Ward is an Associate Professor, Department Chair, and the Accreditation Coordinator for Le Moyne College’s Education Department. She earned a Masters of Science in Education at St. John Fisher University and worked as an elementary classroom teacher in Pittsford, NY. Andrea earned a Masters in Education for Literacy Specialists (K-12) before earning her doctorate in Curriculum, Instruction, and the Science of Learning with a concentration in Reading Education from the University at Buffalo, SUNY in 2015. Her research interests include technology and literacy education, responding to literature with various modes of communication, and reflection on pedagogical methods focusing on both K-12 students and undergraduate/graduate students. You can contact Andrea at [email protected].
Membership Chair
Keith Newvine is a high school English teacher at Corcoran High School in the Syracuse City School District. A previous Assistant Professor of Literacy at SUNY Cortland, Keith is also a Past President of the New York State Reading Association. Keith started his career in his hometown, Gouverneur, NY, where he taught 7th and 8th Grade English & Language Arts for two years. Since then, he has spent 25 years teaching AP Literature & Composition, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, IB Language & Literature, and College Composition at West Genesee High School and Corcoran. It has been his daily work with students that has sparked his passion for teaching about life through literature. His research interests include Critical Race Theory, and Anti-Racist Pedagogy. You can also contact Keith at [email protected].
Keith Newvine is a high school English teacher at Corcoran High School in the Syracuse City School District. A previous Assistant Professor of Literacy at SUNY Cortland, Keith is also a Past President of the New York State Reading Association. Keith started his career in his hometown, Gouverneur, NY, where he taught 7th and 8th Grade English & Language Arts for two years. Since then, he has spent 25 years teaching AP Literature & Composition, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, IB Language & Literature, and College Composition at West Genesee High School and Corcoran. It has been his daily work with students that has sparked his passion for teaching about life through literature. His research interests include Critical Race Theory, and Anti-Racist Pedagogy. You can also contact Keith at [email protected].
Board Member
Kathleen A. Hinchman, Ph.D., is a Professor Emerita of literacy education at Syracuse University. She has taught, coached, and conducted literacy research in K-12, adult, and teacher education settings. She has published articles, chapters, and texts and served as a director on boards of local, state, and national literacy professional organizations, including the Central New York Reading Council and the New York State Reading Association. She is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame and can be reached at [email protected].
Board Member
Havilah Carroll is a graduate of SUNY Oswego (BS ’11) and Syracuse University (’17), where she earned her Master’s Degree in Literacy Education (Birth-Grade 6). She has worked as an English as a New Language (ENL) teacher in the Syracuse City School District since 2012. Havilah believes that students’ experiences with literacy and literature can be life-changing and strives to make her district a place where all students can develop a love of learning. You can contact her at [email protected].
Havilah Carroll is a graduate of SUNY Oswego (BS ’11) and Syracuse University (’17), where she earned her Master’s Degree in Literacy Education (Birth-Grade 6). She has worked as an English as a New Language (ENL) teacher in the Syracuse City School District since 2012. Havilah believes that students’ experiences with literacy and literature can be life-changing and strives to make her district a place where all students can develop a love of learning. You can contact her at [email protected].
Board Member
Paige Lenkiewicz is a dedicated literacy advocate with over a decade of experience supporting K-12 educators, delivering meaningful PD and fostering joyful, equitable reading instruction. Her work has spanned classroom teaching, instructional coaching, school-based leadership, and district-level consulting allowing a close partnership with teachers, administrators, and school communities. She holds a master's degree in literacy education from Mercy University and remains committed to continuous learning, reflection ,and collaboration within the literacy community.
Currently Paige serves as the Partnerships Goal Area Chair for the New York State Reading Association, with a focus
on building partnerships with communities throughout New York State. She can be contacted here.
Paige Lenkiewicz is a dedicated literacy advocate with over a decade of experience supporting K-12 educators, delivering meaningful PD and fostering joyful, equitable reading instruction. Her work has spanned classroom teaching, instructional coaching, school-based leadership, and district-level consulting allowing a close partnership with teachers, administrators, and school communities. She holds a master's degree in literacy education from Mercy University and remains committed to continuous learning, reflection ,and collaboration within the literacy community.
Currently Paige serves as the Partnerships Goal Area Chair for the New York State Reading Association, with a focus
on building partnerships with communities throughout New York State. She can be contacted here.
Past President & KSLA Partner
Dr. Heather Waymouth received her doctorate in Literacy Education at Syracuse University. Her scholarly interests include literacy instruction across the curriculum and on designing effective interventions for adolescent learners. Currently, she is professor at the College of Education & Social Work in the Literacy (Reading) Department
at West Chester University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Previously, Heather worked for 7 years at Honeoye Falls – Lima High School as a literacy specialist and swimming and diving coach where she developed her passion for improving literacy experiences for adolescent learners. Feel free to contact Heather at HWaymouth@wcupa.edu.
Dr. Heather Waymouth received her doctorate in Literacy Education at Syracuse University. Her scholarly interests include literacy instruction across the curriculum and on designing effective interventions for adolescent learners. Currently, she is professor at the College of Education & Social Work in the Literacy (Reading) Department
at West Chester University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Previously, Heather worked for 7 years at Honeoye Falls – Lima High School as a literacy specialist and swimming and diving coach where she developed her passion for improving literacy experiences for adolescent learners. Feel free to contact Heather at HWaymouth@wcupa.edu.
