Overview
Menya Cole is a literacy expert with over 15 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and curriculum designer. As a program associate with the Literacy team, Cole supports educators and leaders in building responsive and evidence-based disciplinary literacy practices.
Cole works primarily with the Reading and Writing Apprenticeship team, helping educators nationwide implement disciplinary literacy strategies that improve student engagement and academic outcomes. Cole has also supported curriculum development projects grounded in the Science of Reading and contributed to initiatives that advance literacy in both K–12 classrooms and teacher preparation programs. She contributed to the development of the New York State Prekindergarten–3rd Grade Literacy Instructional Best Practices Guide, crafting best practices aligned with the state’s Culturally Responsive–Sustaining Education Framework. This guide is used by districts statewide as a resource and in support of adherence to Education Law § 818.
Before joining WestEd, Cole served as a teacher and literacy coach in elementary and middle school settings in Detroit and Los Angeles. Her background includes coaching educators on structured and disciplinary literacy practices and designing ELA and history units for organizations such as The 1619 Project, Learning for Justice, and Teacher Created Materials. These experiences continue to inform her belief that literacy is a powerful tool, and she is committed to supporting educators in creating rigorous and affirming learning environments for all students.
Education
- MS in literacy and reading, California State University, Fullerton
- BA in elementary education, California State University, San Bernardino
Select Publications
Krishnan, J., Friedrich, L., Sailors, M., Cole, M., & Howlett, H. (2025). Meaning-based, code-based, and vocabulary-based instruction in middle and high school classrooms: The case for attention to all three. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 68(4), 400–407.
