Rachael Garnick is the Teach Plus Coalition Manager for Pennsylvania, where she leads a statewide initiative to advance early literacy policy and promote the science of reading.
Before Teach Plus Rachael taught early childhood and elementary education, was a member of TFA’s Aspiring White Antiracist Educators (AWARE) working group, and served as Co-Chair of the Early Childhood Education Pay Parity Coalition with Organizing for Equity, New York (OFENY). As a coalition builder, Rachael formed strong partnerships with peer organizations, policymakers, and advocates across New York to secure vital compensation increases for early childhood educators at community-based organizations.
As a first-grade teacher in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Rachael became passionate about the science of reading when she noticed her students’ confidence and reading scores soar after she implemented best practices from the science of reading. Incorporating targeted, phonics-based interventions in her literacy instruction, Rachael supported the growth of two levels or more for over 90% of her students, with 90% meeting or exceeding grade-level standards by the end of the school year.
Rachael holds a B.A. in Political Science from Haverford College and a Master’s in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. She is passionate about improving literacy outcomes for students and building safe, inclusive, socially responsive learning environments where both students and teachers can thrive. A proud Philadelphia resident, Rachael enjoys running and biking along the Schuylkill River, and hiking.
