Carolyn H. Strom, PhD
Carolyn is an early literacy expert working with preschool and elementary educators, families and children to strengthen early literacy instruction. She worked as a classroom teacher and reading specialist for over 15 years, beginning her career teaching first grade in Compton, CA and later serving students in New York City. She is currently a clinical professor at NYU, where she received the Steinhardt Distinguished Teaching Award and also serves as a state and district advisor, instructional media developer, and frequent speaker.
News, Events & Things to Share
The Two-Minute Fix Every Phonics Lesson Needs - EdWeek
In a July 2026 Education Week opinion piece, Dr. Carolyn H. Strom proposes a two-minute daily routine for educators to connect phonics instruction with word meaning and cement new vocabulary as students learn to read.
NYC Reads Together Charter Literacy Cosortium
Dr. Strom delivers keynote talk “What do We Know about Learning to Read? Making the Neuroscience Accessible and Actionable” to NYC Charter Literacy Consortium at Columbia University. July 23, 2026.
NYSAIS Early Childhood & Lower School Leaders 2026 Keynote, Mohonk
Dr. Strom Delivers a Keynote and two part workshop entitled “Building Brain City: Where Reading Takes Root” focused on putting science into action to build the foundation for reading for 3-K, Pre-K and K educators.
The Reading Brain: Common Myths & Scientific Realities -Brookfield Academy
Dr. Strom delivered a professional development workshop on the “The Reading Brain: Common Myths and Scientific Realities”
Fixing the Literacy Gap -Bloomberg Philanthropies
Dr. Strom delivered a lecture on “The Science Behind the Science of Reading” for Bloomberg Philanthropies City Fund National Education Partner Convening.
Building a New Brain City - Lehman College, CUNY
Dr. Carolyn Strom presents a model of Building a New Brain City: Making the neuroscience of Reading Development and Dyslexia Accessible and Actionable. FREE professional development event at Lehman College, City University of New York.
Expanding Word Families: Integrating Linguistic Neighbors to Strengthen Brain City
Through a combination of research findings and practical classroom routines, this session will demonstrate how expanding word families to include linguistic neighbors can enhance students' engagement, vocabulary, and depth of word knowledge, particularly in multilingual contexts.
South Bronx Literacy Academy Serie de Talleres para las Familias:
Ciudad del Cerero con Prof. Carolyn H. Strom, PHD. Carolyn es una experta en alfabetizacion temprana que traaja con educadores de preescolar y primaria, familias y ninos para mejorar los resultados de la lectura.
NYU Steinhardt Literacy Alumni & Friends (LAF)
NYU Steinhardt Literacy Alumni & Friends, spearheaded by Dr. Carolyn Strom, clinical assistant professor of early childhood literacy, meets quarterly to share resources, learn from eachother and build community.
Rose Institute Keynote: Constructing a New Brain for Reading
Dr. Strom Delivered the Keynote for the Rose Insitute for Reading Annual Conference about the translation of neuroscience of reading development into practice.
Integrating Vocabulary, Fluency, and Writing to Support the “Neural Superhighways” of Literacy at Plain Talk about Reading
Dr. Carolyn Strom’s talk focused on the integration of vocabulary, fluency and writing.
The Early Reading Brain & Implications for Students with Dyslexia
Dr. Carolyn Strom talks about building a new brain city, connecting neuroscience and educational practices for students with reading difficulties.
New York State Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Task Force
Dr. Strom was invited to serve and contribute to the The NYS Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Task Force, tasked with making recommendations about effective methods, interventions and educational supports to the New York State Assembly.
NY State Educator Preparation Working Group
Dr. Carolyn Strom was asked to serve as a member of the NY State Education Department’s Educator Preparation Working Group. The goal of the initiative is to improve literacy instruction in schools by supporting and integrating the science of reading into teacher preparation program curricula and certification requirements.
Through a Neuroscientific Lens: Bridges to Practice. Auckland, New Zealand
Dr Carolyn Strom opened her keynote presentation at the Learning Matters Conference in Auckland, New Zealsnd by addressing a fundamental question: “If research is not accessible, how can it be actionable?”
Building Capactiy, Not Compliance: Understanding the Early Reading Brain.
Dr. Strom delivered the keynote focused on building capacity, not compliance, based on the science on the reading brain., September 29, 2023