Center on Instruction

The Florida Center for Reading Research has recently become part of the National Center for K-12 Instruction in Reading, Math, and Science. Part of the Comprehensive Center network, the Center on Instruction is one of five content centers serving as resources for the 16 regional U.S. Department of Education Comprehensive Centers. FCRR is responsible for the reading strand of the center.

Deputy Director
Debby Houston, Ph.D.

An experienced educator with expertise as a teacher, district administrator, and state level administrator in special education, Dr. Houston is involved in the design and production of professional development and technical assistance documents for the Center on Instruction.

Instructional Specialist
Lila Rissman, M.S.

A Reading educator and coach with experience teaching reading and language arts to students in sixth through 12th grade, teaching struggling middle school readers, and providing in-service and support to teachers of struggling readers. Mrs. Rissman is involved in the design and production of professional development and technical assistance documents for the Center on Instruction.

Instructional Specialist
Terry Tanner-Smith, Ed.S.

An educator with expertise in professional development and experience as a school-based, district and multi-district educator, Mrs. Tanner-Smith is involved in the design and production of professional development and technical assistance documents for the Center on Instruction.

Program Coordinator
Tatia Jordan, B.A.

Coordinates and supports multiple projects for the Center on Instruction. Responsible for editing technical reports, assisting with literature reviews, reviewing research on reading found in journals and libraries, and assisting the team with ongoing assignments.