Literacy and Humanities

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Welcome to the Office of Literacy and Humanities!

Our mission is to support educators in the arts, ELA and literacy, and history and social science, as they work to realize our state's Educational Vision. We do this by:

• Articulating learning standards
• Offering grants
• Developing and sharing resources
• Facilitating professional learning and networking opportunities for educators
• Conducting research in our state
• Coordinating programs for students

Opportunities for Educators and Students

• Civics Showcases — teachers, attend as community advisor
• Partnership for Reading Success — Massachusetts (PRISM) grants and Literacy Launch Institutes
• Download the entire Catalog of DESE programs for the current school year

Contact Us

• Katherine Tarca, Director, Literacy and Humanities

Arts

• Dawn Benski, Arts Content Lead

ELA and Literacy

• Linda Sewnarine, Assistant Director, Literacy
• Donna Goldstein, ELA/Literacy Content Lead
• Allison Pickens, ELA/Literacy Content Lead
• Mary Brown, Early Literacy Project Coordinator
• Lori McNally, ELA/Literacy Content Specialist
• Octavia Nixon, ELA/Literacy Content Specialist
• Amy Tavares, ELA/Literacy Content Specialist

History and Social Science

• Reuben Henriques, Assistant Director, Humanities
• Rebekah Judson, History/Social Science Content Specialist
• Miesha Keita, History/Social Science Content Specialist
• Dylan Geesey, Accessibility Specialist

Last Updated: May 14, 2025