Meet the Team
Paul Copperman
Founder & President
With the Institute
since 1970
“It’s a joy to be a parent, to watch our children grow, but it’s always challenging and often hard. We need all the help we can get. Age-appropriate literature can help form a young person’s character. Great books help us, as parents and teachers, guide young people to the higher values and truths in life.”
Doug Evans
CEO & Executive Director
With the Institute
since 1995
“If, like me, your child comes to identify as a reader, he or she will eagerly reach for books and gain all the academic and personal benefits that come from having a lifelong love of reading.”
Josh Kizner
COO & VP - Partnerships
With the Institute
since 2000
“We’re fortunate that so many talented, intelligent and enthusiastic people have found a home at the Institute of Reading Development. Our team is dedicated to providing students and their families with the best possible experience in our programs.”
Lisa Fink
Director of Curriculum
With the Institute
since 1987
John Boyd
Director of Instruction
With the Institute
since 1991
Ryan O'Leary
Director of Marketing
With the Institute
since 1995
Nicole Prior
Director of Technology
With the Institute
since 2008
Tiffany Gilbert
Enrollment Manager
With the Institute
since 2006
Eugenie Borton
Customer Service Manager
With the Institute
since 2000
Meet Our Reading Teachers
Our teachers are experts at guiding kids along the path from pre-reader to literate adult. They know how to inspire and encourage kids to grow as readers and make continuous progress. Their personal love of reading makes a big difference in the way students see their relationship to books.
Our teachers go through a highly selective hiring process and rigorous training that prepares them to teach readers of all ages. They understand the skills kids need to succeed in each stage of reading development and how to engage and motivate students during exciting online classes.
Spotlight: Chris Cognetto
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Chris has taught Institute of Reading Development programs since 2015.
Favorite Grades to Teach: 3rd, 6th, 9th
Favorite Book: Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
"As I learned why some kids struggled to read, I also learned that this was within my power to remedy. With the right skills, strategies, and encouragement, any child can love reading."
