Dr. Judith C. Hochman is the creator of the Hochman Method and founder of The Writing Revolution. Dr. Hochman served as the Head of The Windward School in White Plains, New York, a nationally renowned independent school focused on teaching students with learning disabilities. She is the founder of the Windward Teacher Training Institute and a former Superintendent of the Greenburgh Graham Union Free School District in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. In addition, Dr. Hochman lectures, presents workshops, and gives courses for educational organizations, colleges, and universities, as well as public and independent schools throughout the United States.
She is on the Advisory Board of Everyone Reads, a national advocacy organization for dyslexia and related learning disabilities. She received the New York Branch Award from the International Dyslexia Association. The Reading Reform Foundation presented Dr. Hochman with the Leona D. and Phillip J. Spector Leadership Award. Dr. Hochman is the author of The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing In All Subjects and Grades (along with co-author Natalie Wexler), Teaching Basic Writing Skills, a chapter entitled “Composition: Expressive Language and Writing” in the publication Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills, and numerous articles.
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Toni-Ann Vroom was a founding member of TWR in 2014 and co-leads the organization, setting the strategic vision for its programs, communicating its mission and ensuring its sustainability. She presents regularly on the topic of writing at literacy conferences and has presented on the Hochman Method and TWR for the College Board, the Aspen Institute and SXSW EDU. Previously, Toni-Ann served as the schoolwide writing coordinator and lead social studies teacher at New Dorp High School in Staten Island, New York. She received a Ph.D. in literacy from St. John’s University.
Dina Zoleo was a founding member of TWR in 2014 and co-leads the organization, setting the strategic vision for its programs, communicating its mission and ensuring its sustainability. She presents regularly on the topic of writing at literacy conferences and has presented on the Hochman Method and TWR for the College Board, the Aspen Institute, SXSW EDU, the Mississippi Literacy Association Conference and the Louisiana Teacher Leader Summit. Previously, Dina served as a social studies teacher and assistant principal at New Dorp High School in Staten Island, New York. She received a Ph.D. in literacy from St. John’s University.
Kathleen Maloney collaborates with the co-executive directors to develop the strategic vision for TWR, and oversees its implementation by leading the organization’s daily operations. Previously, she served as a literacy assessment specialist for the New York City Department of Education and as an English language arts teacher and Title I coordinator at New World Preparatory Charter School. Kathleen was the founding literacy coach at New World Prep, where she helped all teachers to be literacy instructors by leading the schoolwide implementation of the Hochman Method. She holds an M.A. in literacy from NYU and a B.A. in childhood education from Macaulay Honors College (College of Staten Island).
Kirk Clarke supervises and works with TWR staff to plan, design and manage all operations on the technical side of the organization, ensuring the efficiency of network systems to secure the stability of business functions. He has led in the adoption of several major technologies to support TWR infrastructure, including Salesforce Marketing Cloud Account Engagement. Previously, Kirk was a senior web designer and UI developer at the 92nd Street Y, a web developer at StarChefs, and a freelance web and IT consultant. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art, with a concentration in drawing and graphic design, from Binghamton University (SUNY).
Ron Golden serves as TWR’s storyteller and helps to articulate the organization’s mission to a variety of audiences. He leads the development of digital content, marketing campaigns, press releases and other external communications. Before joining TWR, Ron held marketing and consulting positions at several nonprofit, government and for-profit organizations. He earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from Tuskegee University.
Joie Johnson-Walker is responsible for leading and growing the fundraising program at TWR.
Katie Kennedy provides executive support to TWR’s co-executive directors and leadership team, with expertise in determining project objectives, organizing and arranging resources, and ensuring on-time delivery of assigned projects. Before joining TWR, she served as an executive assistant at Skyview Constructors. Katie is a proficient user of Peachtree, MRI and QuickBooks accounting systems and holds certificates in various Microsoft programs.
Alexandria Chalonec teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR. Alexandria led the process of embedding TWR’s strategies in Louisiana Department of Education Guidebooks to enhance student writing and understanding. Within the organization, she supports the onboarding of new faculty and ongoing faculty development. Before joining TWR, Alexandria taught English language arts and social studies at The Windward School and served as a learning specialist and special education teacher at the Urban Assembly School of Business for Young Women. She earned a Master of Science in education through the New York City Teaching Fellows program, graduating with honors.
Sean Cioffi teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR. He previously served for 10 years as a seventh- and eighth-grade English language arts, social studies and research skills classroom teacher at The Windward School, an independent school in White Plains specializing in targeted instruction for students with language-based learning disabilities. Sean received Windward’s Sandi Galst Scholar Award for exceptional reading teachers. He holds an M.S. in secondary education, social studies and special education, grades five to 12, and a B.A. in history from Binghamton University.
Tania Haselwander-Chang teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR. She also serves as an implementation manager with a focus on the elementary grades, working with partner schools and districts on implementation and contributing to special projects, including Revolutionary Workshops, webinars, and course refinement and creation. Tania received a Master of Science in education from the City College of New York and a Bachelor of Arts in women’s and gender studies from Stony Brook University.
Sophia Knight-Hogg teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR. Previously, she spent 20 years as a seventh- to 12th-grade English language arts teacher, five years as a New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) teacher leader and mentor, six years as an adjunct professor at Syracuse University Project Advance, two years as a TWR school lead and coordinator, one year as an NYCDOE equity ambassador for culturally responsive-sustaining education, and two years as co-lead of an English language arts department. Sophia holds an M.A. in curriculum and instruction for English language arts from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in professional management from Nova Southeastern University.
April Laing teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR. Previously, she taught middle school language arts and social studies for three years at The Windward School in White Plains, New York, a nationally renowned school for students with language-based learning disabilities. April also served as a middle school English language arts and history teacher and a high school history teacher in New York City for approximately 10 years. She holds an M.S. in childhood education and a B.A. in mass communication from Herbert H. Lehman College.
Ailish McDemott teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR. She presented at the 2022 Teacher Leader Summit in Louisiana for TWR and helped develop the TWR asynchronous course for the Louisiana Department of Education’s ELA Guidebooks 3-5 (2022). Previously, Ailish worked as an elementary school teacher in Title 1 schools in New York City. While teaching at P.S. 60 Woodhaven, she led the school’s writing team and served as its TWR coordinator. Ailish received a master’s degree in literacy from Lehman College and a bachelor’s in special education from Marist College.
Samantha O’Brien teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR, where she also develops TWR materials for Louisiana Department of Education Guidebooks. Previously, Samantha served for 10 years as a middle school English language arts and math classroom teacher and a sixth-grade team leader at The Windward School, a nationally renowned school for students with language-based learning disabilities. She received a master’s degree in elementary education and special education from Manhattanville College and a B.A. in history and American studies from Providence College.
Kiersten Peltier teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR. Notably, she led TWR’s development of asynchronous workshops, which provide educators with varied options for accessing ongoing support with the implementation of writing strategies. Previously, Kiersten served as an education program consultant for the Louisiana Department of Education and as an elementary English language arts and social studies teacher. She holds a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction (reading) from Louisiana State University Shreveport.
Madalyn Roig teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR, where she is also an implementation manager. Madalyn is a seasoned literacy coach with over 10 years of teaching experience working with historically underserved populations. Most recently, at the Renaissance Charter High School for Innovation, she served as the language department chair and TWR coordinator, developing and overseeing the program’s schoolwide implementation. Madalyn holds an M.A. in adolescent literacy education from Hunter College and a B.A. in English and education from Marist College.
Christine Teahan teaches courses, works with high-impact partner schools and helps on various programmatic projects at TWR. As specialty courses manager, she coordinates the development and maintenance of courses, webinars and offerings outside of TWR’s main introductory course, Advanced Thinking Through Writing (ATTW) I. Among these, Christine developed the ATTW STEM course. Before joining TWR, she served as a special education teacher, teaching middle school English language arts, math, science and social studies. She holds an M.A. and a B.A. in special education.
Sydoni Ellwood manages TWR course and resource library operations, creating and maintaining systems that allow participants to have a seamless experience. Before joining TWR, she served as an adjunct professor in public higher education. A published scholar, Sydoni holds an M.A. in urban education and a B.A. in political science and African studies.
Rozanne Dolly provides support with logistics around TWR courses and workshops, creates and maintains systems that allow participants to have a seamless experience, and produces various reports to facilitate internal and external data analysis.
Jessica Creech-Levine works directly with TWR’s partner schools to assess student writing and measure progress. Before joining TWR, she served as the writing coordinator and lead seventh-grade English language arts teacher at New World Preparatory Charter School and as a senior children’s librarian at the New York Public Library. Jessica holds an M.S. in library and information science from Pratt Institute and a B.A. in English literature from the State University of New York at New Paltz.
Kelly Kyi oversees marketing and creative operations at TWR, where she establishes timelines and implements action plans for achieving set objectives for multiple concurrent projects, while adhering to budgets and deadlines. Previously, she was the creative operations manager at S’well and the marketing and program operations manager at the 92nd Street Y. With over a decade of project management experience in the nonprofit and private sectors, Kelly specializes in workflow optimization and cross-functional team leadership. Her curiosity, passion for problem-solving and innate capacity for organization drive projects to successful outcomes.
Phieford Nash assists with graphic design and video production at TWR, where he was previously a graphic design and marketing intern. Phieford holds an associate’s degree in graphic design.
Mayra Guallpa Calle is responsible for data elements maintenance, administration and support at TWR, where she helps develop reports and analyses. Mayra served as an intern at TWR for four years before taking on her current position. She received a degree in computer science from Fordham University.
Shandel Charles is responsible for accounts receivable and other finance functions at TWR. Previously, Shandel provided support with logistics around TWR courses and workshops. Before joining TWR, she served as an administrative supervisor. Shandel holds a B.S. in accounting from Brooklyn College.
Julio Ramos is responsible for accounts payable and other finance functions at TWR. Before joining TWR, he served as a shift-supervisor, before transitioning to finance as a bank teller and then a bookkeeper.
Adrienne Dammacco is responsible for accounts payable and other finance functions at TWR. Previously, Adrienne taught business education for over 30 years. Along with her teaching duties, she implemented and ran Rye Neck High School’s intern program as well as its community service program. Adrienne also served on the SUNY Purchase Teachers’ Center Board and the New York State School-to-Career Board. She holds an M.A. in business education from NYU and an administrator certification.
