Ayanna Gattis (She/her)

Ayanna Gattis is a champion for all things public education and literacy. With over ten years in K-12 education, she has a proven track record of designing impactful, inclusive programs that support teacher development and student growth. Ayanna holds a Master’s degree in Reading Education from North Carolina A&T State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Kentucky State University. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in early and middle childhood literacy. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Change Leadership for Equity and Inclusion, she combines her expertise in data-driven decision-making, instructional design, and stakeholder alignment to drive sustainable, effective change in educational settings.

Her favorite childhood book is Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats, one of the first books where she saw illustrations of characters like her – reinforcing cultural relevancy's importance on literacy.