East Orange, NJ — October 20, 2025 — With its “Race to Read” and “Every First Grade Student Gets a Library Card” initiatives currently underway, the East Orange School District (EOSD) is proud to announce it has been awarded two highly competitive grants from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), totaling more than $1.1 million, to strengthen literacy instruction and enhance professional learning for educators. The district secured $749,455 over five years through the Cultivating Ongoing Achievement through Coaching in Literacy (COACH) initiative, and an additional $399,000 through the Instructional Materials for Professional Advancement and Coherent Teaching (IMPACT) program. Both grants were authored by the East Orange Grant Team: Dr. Dawn Stokes-Tyler, Jackie Nisenson, Kori Washington, and Dr. Janet Pedrazzi.
These funds will advance the district’s ongoing comprehensive literacy plan by expanding instructional coaching, refining curriculum resources, and providing teachers with sustained, high-quality professional development opportunities. The initiatives will be implemented districtwide under the direction of Dr. Nicholas DeStefano, East Orange’s new Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, who is leading the district’s efforts to elevate literacy outcomes for all students.
“The $1.1 million in literacy grants is a massive vote of confidence in our approach,” stated Dr. Nicholas DeStefano, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. “Programs like our 'Race to Read' initiative and ensuring every first grader has their own public library card aren't just one-off projects; they are the pillars of a comprehensive strategy designed to make sure every student in our district becomes a proficient, lifelong reader. We're turning a vision for universal literacy into reality, and I commend our Grant Team for their exceptional work and innovation.”
Together, the COACH and IMPACT initiatives will provide EOSD educators with evidence-based instructional tools, structured coaching cycles, and collaborative professional learning communities—all focused on accelerating literacy growth and promoting equitable student achievement.
“The COACH and IMPACT grants position East Orange educators at the forefront of literacy transformation,” stated Dr. Dawn Stokes-Tyler, leader of the East Orange Grant Team and Supervisor of Staff Development and Career & Technical Education. “Our team is dedicated to identifying funding opportunities that advance district initiatives and empower educators. These awards directly support our mission to deliver rigorous, culturally responsive literacy instruction that meets the diverse needs of every student.”
Media Contact:
Terry Corallo, Director of Communications & Community Relations
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 862-233-7300 X28401