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Get to Know
Dr. Lella

Dr. Rachel Lella is a literacy and professional learning leader with more than 20 years of experience across classroom teaching, district administration, higher education, and educational consulting. Her work focuses on translating literacy research into practical, engaging learning experiences that strengthen educator knowledge, build confidence, and support sustained instructional improvement.

 

Throughout her career, Dr. Lella has served as an elementary and middle school educator, K-12 ESL supervisor, elementary curriculum and instruction supervisor, and district director of curriculum and instruction. She now partners with schools, districts, universities, and educational organizations to design professional learning, coaching resources, curriculum supports, and implementation tools responsive to the needs of educators and students.

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Dr. Lella holds master’s degrees in elementary education, educational administration, and language education, as well as a doctorate in teacher leadership with a literacy focus. Her areas of expertise include evidence-based literacy instruction, structured literacy, multilingual learner education, professional learning design, instructional coaching, curriculum implementation, and educational leadership.

 

She previously served as president of the New Jersey Literacy Association and on the International Literacy Association’s Administrator Task Force. She is an advisory board member for the Rutgers University Center for Literacy Development and co-author of Literacy Changemakers: Bringing the Joy of Reading and Writing into Focus for Teachers and Students.

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Dr. Lella lives at the Jersey Shore with her two daughters. Outside of work, she enjoys spending most of her time at their youth sports practices, games, and events.

 

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Certifications & Education

  • New Jersey Principal Standard Certificate, 2023

  • Sheltered Instruction Trainer, NJDOE, 2017

  • New Jersey Standard Certificate: Supervisor, 2016

  • New Jersey Standard Certificate: Elementary School Teacher in Grades K-5, 2009

Ed.D. Teacher Leadership, 2016

Rutgers University, Graduate School of Education, New Brunswick, New Jersey       Dissertation Title: “Response to Intervention under the Common Core: Using Think-Alouds to Explore Struggling Readers’ Comprehension of Narrative and Informational Text”

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Ed.M. Language Education, 2020

Rutgers University, Graduate School of Education, New Brunswick, New Jersey

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M.A. Educational Administration, 2019

Kean University, Union, New Jersey

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M.A. Elementary Education, 2006

Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey

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B.A. American Studies & Communication, 2003

Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Professional Development Topics

Professional learning is most effective when educators understand not only what to do, but why it matters and how to apply it in their own classrooms. Dr. Lella designs research-based, engaging learning experiences that connect evidence to practice, anticipate implementation challenges, and provide educators with practical tools they can use immediately.

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Professional learning may be delivered as individual workshops, multi-session learning pathways, coaching cycles, leadership support, or customized district partnerships.

 

​Literacy

  • Small Group Reading Instruction

  • Working with Struggling Readers

  • Assessment Strategies

  • Understanding Foundational Literacy

  • Literacy Leadership: Supporting Teachers and Students

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English as a Second Language/Multilingual Learners

  • Sheltered Instruction Certification (NJDOE Certified Trainer)

  • Instructional Best Practices for Multilingual Learners

  • Collaborative Progress Monitoring for Multilingual Learners

  • ​English as a Second Language Program Advocacy

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Instructional Leadership & Curriculum

  • Designing Effective Program Evaluations

  • Creating Sustainable Curricula

  • Curriculum Development 

  • Combining Program Resources and Teacher Autonomy

  • Collaborative Leadership​

  • Student-Centered Learning

  • Building a Culture of Support for Teachers and Students

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Don't see your topic? Let's design a PD to meet your unique needs!​

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Conference Presentations

  • Lella, R. (May 2023). Utilizing Think-Alouds to Promote Comprehension Growth for     ALL Learners. Core session at the International Literacy Association Advancing

           Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Through Literacy Event, Dover, DE​

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  • Lella, R., & Kunz, K. (July 2022). A Penny for Your Thoughts: Utilizing Think-Alouds     to Promote Comprehension Growth for ALL Learners. Session presented at the

           22nd European Conference on Literacy, Dublin, Ireland.

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  • Kunz, K., & Lella, R. (November 2020). Talking About, Within, and Beyond Books

           with Joy! Session presented virtually at the New Jersey Education Association

           Annual Conference.

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  • Kunz, K., Lella, R., & Carter, C. (October 2020). Talking About, Within, and Beyond     Books: Strategies for Joy, Engagement, and Cultural and Linguistic Awareness.

           Session accepted to be presented at the International Literacy Association

           Annual Conference, Columbus, OH, prior to conference cancellation due to

          COVID-19.

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  • Lella, R. (October 2020). A Penny for Your Thoughts: Utilizing Think-Alouds to

           Promote Comprehension Growth for ALL Learners. Session accepted to be

           presented at the International Literacy Association Annual Conference,

          Columbus, OH, prior to conference cancellation due to COVID-19.

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  • Lella, R. (October 2019). Creating Professional Collaboration: Tools for

           Bilingual/ESL Advocates. Session presented at the WIDA Annual Conference,

           Providence, RI.

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  • Kunz, K., Hall, M., & Lella, R. (October 2019). Literacy Changemakers: How to

           Bring the Joy of Reading and Writing Back into Focus for Teachers and

           Students. Session presented at the International Literacy Association Annual

          Conference, New Orleans, LA.

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  • Lella, R. (October 2019). A Penny for Your Thoughts: Utilizing Think-Alouds to

           Promote Comprehension Growth for ALL Learners. Session presented at the

           International Literacy Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.

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  • Lella, R. (October 2019). Stand Out in Your Field as a Teacher, School, or District

           Early Literacy Leader. Roundtable  session presented at the International

           Literacy Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.

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  • Lella, R. (May 2019). Advocacy 101: How Teachers Can Build Compliance. Session

           presented at the New Jersey Teachers of English as a Second Language Annual

           Conference, New Brunswick, NJ.

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  • Lella, R. (May 2019). Creating Professional Collaboration: Tools for Bilingual/ESL

           Advocates. Session presented at the New Jersey Teachers of English as a

           Second Language Annual Conference, New Brunswick, NJ.

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  • Lella, R. (January 2019). A Penny for Your Thoughts: Utilizing Think-Alouds to

           Promote Comprehension Growth for ALL Learners. Session presented at Unlock

           Learning, Middlesex, NJ.

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  • Lella, R. (July 2018). Empowering Readers Through Response to Intervention:

           Using Think-Alouds to Explore Struggling Readers’ Comprehension of Narrative

           and Informational Text. Research poster session presented at the International

           Literacy Association Annual Conference, Austin, TX.

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  • Lella, R. (July 2018). Intentionally Planned Best Practices That Motivate Early

           Literacy Development: Promoting Comprehension Growth and Independence

           through Think-Alouds. Research roundtable presented at the International

           Literacy Association Annual Conference, Austin, TX.

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  • Lella, R. (May 2018). Advocacy 101: How Teachers Can Build Compliance. Session

           presented at the New Jersey Teachers of English as a Second Language Annual

           Conference, New Brunswick, NJ.

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  • Lella, R. (May 2018). Creating Professional Collaboration: Tools for Bilingual/ESL

           Advocates, Session presented at the New Jersey Teachers of English as a

           Second Language Annual Conference, New Brunswick, NJ.

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  • Lella, R. (July 2017). Literacy and Equity for PreK-3rd Grade Learners: Research

           Supported, Standards-Based Practice: Response to Intervention under the

           Common Core: Using Think-Alouds to Explore Struggling Readers’

           Comprehension of Narrative and Informational Text. Research roundtable

           presented at the International Literacy Association Annual Conference, Orlando,

           FL.

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  • Lella, R. (October 2016). Response to Intervention under the Common Core: Using

           Think-Alouds to Explore Struggling Readers’ Comprehension of Narrative and

           Informational Text. Poster session presented at the Rutgers University

           Conference on Reading and Writing, New Brunswick, NJ.

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  • Kunz, K., & Lella, R., (October 2016). Sharing Our Favorite K-8 Literacy Strategies.

           Session presented at the West Jersey Reading Council Annual Conference,

           Pennsauken, NJ.

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  • Lella, R. (October 2015). Response to Intervention under the Common Core: Using

           Think-Alouds to Explore Struggling Readers’ Comprehension of Narrative and

           Informational Text. Research poster session presented at the Rutgers University

           Conference on Reading and Writing, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Work with Dr. Lella

© 2026 by Dr. Lella. All rights reserved.

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