Meet Our Consultants

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Sarah Cordova is a nationally recognized literacy consultant who works in elementary and middle school classrooms across the country supporting administrators, literacy coaches, and classroom teachers in developing

and implementing the most effective and engaging reading and writing practices aligned with the New York State Next Generation Standards. Ms. Cordova received a Master of Arts Degree in Education from New York University and worked as a classroom teacher for many years in the Smithtown School District. Ms. Cordova, herself, has presented at various local, state and national literacy conferences. Ms. Cordova developed numerous units of study for both reading and writing workshop for Schoolwide, Inc. and also taught as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for both undergraduate and graduate students in the Literacy Department at Dowling College for many years. She is a picture book fanatic who loves sharing titles & authors with teachers around the country.

Randi Roschnotti worked as a fifth grade teacher at Hugo Newman College Preparatory Elementary/Middle School in Manhattan for eight years.  In addition to teaching in the classroom, she concurrently worked as an independent consultant to help research and write a series of reading Units of Study. While Randi loved teaching in the classroom, it was always her career goal to work as a staff developer, guiding other professionals in the teaching of literacy within their classrooms. As a Literacy Consultant for D.E.I., Randi is passionate about engaging with staff and administration to revise literacy curriculum in an effort to make it relevant and meaningful for today's students.

Debra Wachtler is a Literacy Consultant for the Distinctive Educator’s Institute who works with administrators and teachers to develop and implement effective literacy curriculum. Debra previously worked for twelve years as an educator for the New York City Department of Education. During her time as a classroom teacher, Debra worked as both a general education teacher and a special education teacher. While teaching, Debra received a Master’s of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education from Touro College in New York City. She also completed additional Masters level coursework through New York University. Debra has always had a passion for teaching literacy in her classroom. She was a Columbia University Teachers College Teacher Leader for many years in which she helped research various literacy topics and develop reading and writing units of study.

Dina Maiella-Marro discovered her love of literacy during her years as a classroom teacher in New York City, and has since followed her passion into the pursuit of sparking the same in others.  Dina recalls being a struggling reader and writer herself when she was younger and often speaks of the joy she found in literacy once the door was unlocked for her.  Dina received her Masters of Arts in Education from NYU, and was awarded a fellowship at Fordham University for further intensive literacy studies.  During her time in the classroom, Dina was trained in Teacher's College Writing Workshop and afforded extensive A.U.S.S.I.E. staff development. 

Lea Rascona has always had a passion for learning and teaching. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from Bentley University, Lea graduated from Hofstra University with her Masters of Arts with Distinction in Childhood Education. She spent several years in the classroom in NYC’s highest performing free public charter school, where she was a founding teacher. While devoted to her students, Lea also took on numerous management roles outside of the classroom. Lea trained new teachers, hosted professional development sessions, and invited educators, administrators and investors into her classroom to observe exceptional teaching. Lea is fluent in Teachers College Workshop, Balanced Literacy, and Project Based Learning. She was also a member of the NYS Early Learning Standards Task Force in 2017.