Nancy Kerr

Nancy Kerr is founder and past president of the original Reading Foundation, which serves school districts in the Mid-Columbia region of Washington.  She is currently President of the National Children's Reading Foundation, assisting other communities in replicating this successful non-profit program. (www.readingfoundation.org)

In this role she has been honored with local, state and national awards, including the U.S Department of Education's AMERICA READS CHALLENGE RECOGNITION, an invitation to the White House Conference on Literacy, and 1998 Washington State Literacy Award from the International Reading Association.

Currently she is supervising the curriculum development and teaching of a new, research-based program for parents and caregivers of children ages newborn to five years old.  The program - READY for Kindergarten - supports parents as their child's first and most loved teacher during the critical early learning years.

Nancy co-authored the book, The 90% Reading Goal.  In its fifth printing, it is being purchased by school districts from New York to Alaska.  A second book, Delivering on the Promise, was published in Oct. 2004 and is also being well received by educators.  She frequently speaks at a wide variety of conferences on the importance of children's literacy and how to assure children learn to read early and well.

 Nancy is a former high school teacher.  She was selected as one of six teachers nationwide to guide the development of the Career and Technical certification for the distinguished National Board for Professional Teaching Standards based in Princeton.  Prior to being involved with “little readers” she taught child development and brain development to future teachers.  She co-authored the curriculum guide for the Careers in Education program in Washington.  She is a member of Phi Delta Kappa and the National Education Association.  Nancy has served on numerous state and regional boards which support families and children, such as Success by 6 and Washington State ECEAP Advisory Board.

 In a volunteer capacity Nancy is a former member of the Kennewick School Board.  She has co-chaired the Kennewick Citizens' Levy and Bond Committee for the last 25 years, raising millions dollars for students.  She has been honored with the Washington state Crystal Apple Award for her volunteer contributions to public education. 

Nancy and her husband, Leland, an attorney, raised their four children in Kennewick.  She grew up in Southern California.  She has a BS in Education from Brigham Young University and a Master of Educational Leadership from Washington State University.