Lara Spear Riley

Lara Spear Riley has been working in the field of literacy since 1999. Lara Spear began their career as a Literacy Consultant & Reading Teacher for Elementary Schools in North Carolina and Maine, as well as Tutoring in Maine. In 2004, they took a position as Supervisor & Lecturer for Literacy Graduate Students at the University of Southern Maine. In 2005, they co-authored an article for the New England Reading Association Journal. In 2014, they founded The Switch Witch LLC and served as a Children's Author and Owner. From 2015 to 2020, they held the role of Chair of Outreach Volunteers, Fundraising, and Mentor for Newly Diagnosed Families at JDRF Greater New England. Most recently, they have been the Lead Author and Literacy Advisor for Two Tails Story Co., an innovative children's book publisher.

Lara Spear Riley began their education in 1993, when they attended Bowdoin College and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Spanish. In 1997, they continued their studies at The Johns Hopkins University, where they earned a Master's Degree and Certification in Elementary Education and Teaching. Two years later, they enrolled in the University of Southern Maine's Literacy Specialist Master's Program and Certification. Lara Spear completed this program in 2004.