Stand for Children Oregon is a non-profit education advocacy organization dedicated to improving outcomes for students across the state. We work hand-in-hand with schools, communities, and policymakers to drive systemic change through:

• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
• POLICY & ADVOCACY
• ELECTORAL WORK

The Center for Early Literacy and Learning Success (CELLS) focuses on improving literacy and learning for children from birth to age eight. Through policy innovation, product development, and professional learning, CELLS aims to create lasting impact in early childhood education, particularly in urban areas. Our work is centered around:

• POLICIES THAT PROMOTE STRONG EARLY LITERACY SYSTEMS
• PRODUCTS AND TOOLS THAT SUPPORT TEACHING AND LEARNING
• PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THAT EQUIPS EDUCATORS TO USE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES

Dr. Nell K. Duke

Executive Director, Center for Early Literacy and Learning Success

Nell Duke is considered one of the world’s foremost experts in early literacy education. Her career has been focused on the right to literacy, particularly the ways in which early childhood (birth through age eight) education can set children on a path to literacy proficiency.

Early in her career, Nell interwove experiences teaching and pursuing degrees, eventually earning a masters and doctorate in human development and psychology, with a concentration in language and literacy, at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. For 24 years, Nell served as a professor of education and psychology first at Michigan State University and then at the University of Michigan. Her research focused largely on how to support young children in learning to read and write informational texts. Her teaching, writing, professional development, and work with policymakers aim to bridge gaps between research and practice in early literacy education.

Nell is an elected member of the National Academy of Education. In 2018, Nell was awarded the International Literacy Association’s highest honor, the William S. Gray Citation of Merit, for outstanding contributions to literacy research, theory, policy, and practice. In 2024, Nell was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility. She has been named one of the most influential education scholars in the U.S. in EdWeek and has been involved in a wide range of initiatives designed to reshape literacy education. She has worked with many U.S. states to improve literacy instruction, for example through the Council on Chief State School Officers, and served as a long-term advisor for the District of Columbia Public Schools, which had the highest growth in the nation in fourth-grade reading on NAEP in the decade prior to the pandemic.

Nell maintains a partial appointment at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was born and raised. She lives in Ann Arbor with her husband and enjoys following the adventures of her adult children.

Dana Nerenberg

Oregon Director, Center for Early Literacy and Learning Success

Dana Nerenberg is a lifelong educator with a passion for literacy. Most recently, she served as the Senior Director of Academic Programs in the Office of Teaching and Learning with Portland Public Schools. In this role, Dana led teams guiding K-12 curriculum and instruction for 42,000 students in Dual Language Immersion and World Languages; English Language Development; Health and Physical Education, and Learning Acceleration, including TAG and AVID.

Prior to serving in this role, Dana was the Director of Learning Acceleration for Portland Public Schools, launching the district’s efforts in High-Dosage Tutoring and academic summer programming.

From 2014-2021 she served as principal of Sitton Elementary School, a bilingual, Title I school in Portland, Oregon. During the 2016-2017 school year, Dana was a Principal Ambassador Fellow at the US Department of Education, serving as an advisor to the federal department.

Prior to leading Sitton, Dana served as principal of Hyde-Addison Elementary School in Washington, DC for eight years. Before becoming a school leader, Dana was an elementary classroom teacher.

Dana is a board member of EdReports.org and Girls on the Run of Greater Oregon. She served on the Board of Trustees for AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation from 2012 to 2018. An alumna of Teach for America, New Leaders, and the Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship, Dana is committed to supporting and serving all learners by providing rigorous, engaging, and responsive learning opportunities.

Dana holds a BA in History and Public Policy Studies from Duke University, an MA in School Administration from Johns Hopkins University, an Executive Masters of Leadership from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland, a P3 Certificate from the University of Colorado, and a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University.

Outside of work, Dana is an avid runner, reader, and a barre3 instructor.