Board & Staff

Staff

• Claire Hagen Alvarado, Ed.L.D. , Literacy First Director

Claire Hagen Alvarado, Ed.L.D.

Literacy First Director

Claire was named Director of Literacy First in March 2022, bringing to the role two decades of experience and leadership in the Texas education and literacy space, as well as a passion for growing multilingual readers. First and foremost, Claire is a teacher who believes in the power and importance of reading across languages. She earned her Master of Education in Language and Literacy Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and her Education Leadership Doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Claire served as Language Arts Supervisor for the Austin Independent School District and as the Statewide Early Childhood Fellow for the Texas Education Agency. Her current favorite children’s book is Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales because of the way her 6-year-old reads it with wild expression.

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• Gabriela Garcia-De Avila, M.Ed. , AmeriCorps Project Manager

Gabriela Garcia-De Avila, M.Ed.

AmeriCorps Project Manager

Gabriela has over 10 years of experience with Literacy First. As a first-generation immigrant from a civic minded family, her passion for service lead her to serve as a bilingual AmeriCorps tutor. She is now responsible for AmeriCorps and Operations coordination. Gabi is passionate about her family, friends, and helping others. She is also a passionate food connoisseur! Her favorite children’s book is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.

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• Jason Buckingham, M.Ed. , Manager of Innovation Projects

Jason Buckingham, M.Ed.

Manager of Innovation Projects

Jason has 20 years of experience with Literacy First and over 20 years of experience working in the field of literacy as a Literacy First tutor, teacher, RtI specialist and program coordinator. In his work with Literacy First, he is responsible for training, supervising, curriculum development, publication and leader development. Jason is a certified Master Reading Teacher, and is currently a graduate student in Language and Literacy studies at UT Austin. Jason has loved Ferdinand by Munro Leaf since he was a kid. Ferdinand is a great model of a gentle way of being and remaining true to yourself!

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• Cristy Andrews , Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator

Cristy Andrews

Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator

Cristy joined the Literacy First Team in September 2023. Prior to joining Literacy First, she taught Pre-K – 5^th grade bilingual students for 15 years. She then supervised novice teachers with the Education Service Center Region 13’s Educator Certification Program for 12 years. Coaching educators has been the natural progression to a fulfilling teaching career. Cristy’s passions are caring for the whole child by advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion so they become purposeful adults. Becoming both a certified Life Coach and yoga instructor have enhanced her educational practices. Currently, her favorite children’s book is Just Because by Matthew McConaughey. The lessons in this picture book inspire readers as they grow through life and celebrate possibilities.

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• Kristen Eickhoff , Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator

Kristen Eickhoff

Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator

Kristen joined the Literacy First team in November 2022. She has been working in education for 6 years. Prior to her current role at Literacy First, Kristen worked as a classroom teacher. She also previously served as a bilingual Literacy First tutor/leader, and worked with the American Red Cross Pillowcase Project teaching disaster preparedness, safety skills, and basic coping mechanisms in various elementary schools in Biloxi, Mississippi. Kristen is originally from California and moved to Austin in 2016. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara in Global Studies. Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.

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• Mariesther Flores , Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator

Mariesther Flores

Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator

Mariesther joined the Literacy First team in November 2022. She has ten years of experience in the field of education. Before her current role at Literacy First, Mariesther worked as a Bilingual elementary teacher. She also served as a Tech Plus Texas Policy Fellow from 2018-2019 and Bilingual Literacy First tutor and leader. Mariesther is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and moved to Austin in 2014. She received her undergraduate degree from St. Cloud State University in Sociology with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her favorite children’s book is There’s a Wocket in my Pocket by Dr. Seuss.

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• Lindsey King , Senior Academic Program Coordinator

Lindsey King

Senior Academic Program Coordinator

Lindsey became part of the Literacy First staff in July 2024. Lindsey has over 20 years of experience serving Title I schools in East Austin. She began her career as a first-grade teacher, where she discovered her passion for teaching young students to read. This passion guided her to become an elementary reading and math intervention teacher and dyslexia specialist. Soon after, she joined the Del Valle Independent School District Curriculum and Instruction team as an Elementary Literacy Coordinator. Lindsey supports the Capacity Building Model in districts as they integrate and maintain Literacy First in their K-2 literacy interventions through coaching, professional learning, and program coordination. Lindsey received her bachelor’s degree from Southwest Texas State University in Elementary Interdisciplinary Studies and her master’s in Administration from Lamar University. Her favorite children’s book is The Mitten by Jan Brett, her favorite children’s book author.

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• Calista López , Development Associate

Calista López

Development Associate

Calista joined Literacy First as a Development Associate in August 2022. She collaborates with Development leadership on donor relations and stewardship, gift processing, and event planning and coordination. She also supports grant leadership by coordinating the development, administrative management, reporting and closeout of grants. Before joining Literacy First, Calista worked in Development and Operations for The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. She is a Rio Grande Valley native and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied history and English. Calista’s favorite children’s book is Tonight on the Titanic by Mary Pope Osborne, which sparked her passions for time travel (AKA history), libraries, and cultivating empathy by reading fiction.

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• Cristina López, M.Ed. , Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator

Cristina López, M.Ed.

Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator

Cristina joined the Literacy First team in November 2019. She has 16 years of experience in the field of education. Prior to her current role at Literacy First, she worked as a bilingual elementary school teacher, student teacher facilitator, instructional coach, and elementary literacy curriculum specialist. Cristina has worked in public and charter schools, and has trained and supported novice and veteran teachers in literacy intervention and core reading and writing instruction. Cristina is originally from the Rio Grande Valley (San Juan, Texas) but has lived in Austin for 21 years. Cristina is a true Longhorn! She attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received her undergrad degree in Bilingual Education and her graduate degree in Language and Literacy. Her favorite children’s book is I’ll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.

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• Ismael Neri , Administrative Program Coordinator

Ismael Neri

Administrative Program Coordinator

Ismael joined the Literacy First staff in June 2023. Prior to joining Literacy First, Ismael worked in the social sector at a variety of nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Most recently he was a Program Supervisor at an organization that provides services to the unhoused and low-income families in Los Angeles. In that role he coordinated programs, oversaw staff and volunteers, and developed partnerships with local organizations. Ismael is passionate about serving the community and contributing to the mission of Literacy First. He was not much of a reader as a young child but a book series that has always been dear to his heart is The Berenstain Bears.

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• Monica Ortiz , AmeriCorps Coach Manager

Monica Ortiz

AmeriCorps Coach Manager

Monica has been with the program for 8 years. Monica is responsible for supporting and supervising AmeriCorps members. Monica is a lead K–2 intervention trainer for Spanish- and English-speaking members. Monica’s favorite book is Jump, Frog, Jump by Robert Kalan, the first book she remembers reading on her own in English. As a young learner, Monica struggled in reading because Spanish was her first language. Much like the students we tutor, it took time for her to learn how to read and write in both languages.

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• Leah Pagano, M.Ed. , AmeriCorps Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator

Leah Pagano, M.Ed.

AmeriCorps Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator

Leah joined the Literacy First team as Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator in August 2022. She recruits strong AmeriCorps members to guide the students served by Literacy First on their early literacy journey. Leah studied History & Secondary Education of Social Studies at Syracuse University and served for two years in AmeriCorps before earning her M.Ed. in Special Education from The University of Texas at Austin. Before joining Literacy First, Leah taught high school social studies in Austin. Leah’s favorite children’s book is The Giver, centered around the importance of remembering the past.

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• Anique Reese , Senior Academic Program Coordinator

Anique Reese

Senior Academic Program Coordinator

Anique has 22 years of experience in the field of education. Prior to her current role at Literacy First, she worked for 19 years as an elementary school teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach. She has mentored student and novice teachers and partnered with professors at The University of Texas at Austin to model classroom community building and literacy instruction. Anique has also trained and supported teachers and specialists in literacy intervention and core reading and writing instruction. Anique was born in France, but she has lived in Austin for most of her life. Her favorite children’s book is The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco because it deeply resonates with her French roots.

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• Madeline Townsend , Communications Coordinator

Madeline Townsend

Communications Coordinator

Maddie joined the Literacy First team as Communications Coordinator in March 2023. She leads communications and marketing efforts for Literacy First, focusing on enhancing and optimizing the visibility of the program. Originally from Pennsylvania, Maddie relocated to Austin in 2015 to serve as a bilingual tutor with Literacy First. Before joining the Literacy First staff, she developed nonprofit communications skills at Sustainable Food Center and worked for several years in international education as an advisor for students studying abroad in Latin America. Maddie holds a Bachelor of Philosophy in Spanish and International and Area Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Her favorite children’s books are A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. As a child, she loved the way the author introduced and explained unfamiliar words and phrases.

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• Whitney Wallace, M.Ed. , Senior Academic Program Coordinator

Whitney Wallace, M.Ed.

Senior Academic Program Coordinator

Whitney joined the Literacy First team in August 2021. She has 10 years of experience in the field of education. Prior to her current role at Literacy First, Whitney worked as a classroom teacher, a reading interventionist, a district testing and data coordinator, and an early childhood specialist at the Texas Education Agency. Whitney has spent the majority of her career supporting and coaching teachers in reading instruction and reading intervention. Whitney is originally from Oklahoma and moved to Austin in 2014. She received her undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and her graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Tyler. Her favorite children’s book is Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.

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• Sebastian Wren, Ph.D. , Research and Development Lead

Sebastian Wren, Ph.D.

Research and Development Lead

Sebastian has more than 20 years of experience working in education in both practice and research settings. In addition to school and district administration, Sebastian has dedicated much of his career to the area of systemic school improvement with an emphasis on universal literacy achievement. Before joining Literacy First, Sebastian worked for the Austin Independent School District and the Southwest Education Development Laboratory (now American Institutes for Research). He has also held adjunct positions at both The University of Texas and Texas State University. As a Literacy First supervisor, Sebastian oversees the daily operations at approximately six partner schools by supervising the AmeriCorps members working at those schools. In addition, Sebastian leads the data collection, data analysis, and program evaluation for Literacy First. Sebastian also serves as a member of the City of Austin Early Childhood Council, offering advice to City leaders about policy related to families with young children. Sebastian did not learn to read at a young age, and so he did not really have a favorite “children’s book” per se. Late in elementary school, he fell in love with the collected works of James Herriot, and was inspired to become a veterinarian. This fantasy continued until Sebastian joined the Explorer Scouts in middle school so he could follow a large-animal veterinarian on his rounds. That pretty much ended his veterinarian ambitions.

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• Juan Yepes, M.S. , Data Analyst

Juan Yepes, M.S.

Data Analyst

Juan joined the Literacy First team in June 2024. He supports Literacy First’s Data Analytics team with data reports, visualizations, analysis, and maintaining data systems to help the program run smoothly. Born and raised in South America, Juan moved to Austin in 2009 to pursue his college degree. In 2015, he served as a bilingual tutor with Literacy First, and started his career in education. He worked as a middle and high school math teacher for 6 years, and has always been motivated by supporting initiatives that help students strive. Juan holds a Master of Science degree in Economics from Baylor University and a Bachelors of Arts in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin. His favorite children’s books is Willy The Wizard by Anthony Browne, an awesome story about a chimp who believes his soccer skills belong to his boots.

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