Dr. Melissa Weber-Mayrer is the Chief of Literacy at the Ohio Department of Education. She oversees the literacy policy and implementation work for the state, including Ohio’s literacy legislation (Third Grade Reading Guarantee and Dyslexia Supports Laws) and statewide implementation of evidence-based language and literacy teaching and learning. Dr. Weber-Mayrer is the federal project director for $78.2 million in literacy grants focused on raising literacy achievement birth through grade 12, including learners with reading difficulties. She co-leads the State Systemic Improvement Plan literacy activities, and leads the team that authored and updates Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement. She has taught in large urban school districts across states and serves as adjunct faculty for university reading courses. Dr. Weber-Mayrer is dedicated to improving the literacy knowledge and skills of educators to ensure preparation for effective teaching of essential literacy skills at all grade levels. She earned her B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Her professional interests are grounded in education systems change to ensure all students become proficient readers. Dr. Weber-Mayrer’s research interests include reading and literacy for early/middle childhood grounded in reading science, adult learning and teacher knowledge, educator preparation and strong MTSS for literacy achievement.