Tanya Wright

Tanya Wright is a Professor at the Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan, specializing in early childhood and elementary literacy instruction. Her work emphasizes equitable access to high-quality literacy education and integrates science and literacy in curricula. She leads the SOLID Start curriculum project and co-leads OpenSciEd Elementary curriculum development.

Her research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to literacy, including vocabulary development, curriculum design, and teacher professional development. Funders include NSF, Spencer Foundation, and the Institute of Education Sciences. Notable publications include books like A Parent's Guide to Reading With Your Young Child and Nurturing Knowledge: Building a Foundation for School Success.

Dr. Wright has received awards such as the 2012 International Literacy Association Dissertation Award and 2022 Jerry Johns Teacher Educator Award. Her work bridges theory and practice through initiatives like SOLID Start and OpenSciEd, which support K-2 science and literacy integration. Grants and partnerships drive her efforts in curriculum innovation and educator training.

Key contributions include analyzing pandemic-era literacy practices, evaluating Michigan's ELA curricula, and advancing disciplinary literacy through science integration. She collaborates with organizations like CREATE for STEM to enhance early education quality.