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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
October 28, 2025
*MEDIA CONTACTS:
*Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
Nathan Takitch: 614-644-0957
Governor DeWine’s Literacy Leaders Tour Continues at Emerson Elementary School in Lakewood
Emerson-Elementary-School-Visit-2 [ [link removed] ]
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin visited Emerson Elementary School in Lakewood Tuesday. They were joined by Ohio Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio, Lakewood City Schools Superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki, and Emerson Elementary Principal Denice Leddy for a roundtable discussion and multiple classroom visits.
(LAKEWOOD, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin visited Emerson Elementary School in Lakewood today for the second stop of the Governor's Literacy Leaders Tour.
The tour is the Governor’s latest initiative to highlight schools that have embraced the Science of Reading and are making great strides in literacy education.
“When schools embrace the Science of Reading, students gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the classroom and in life,” said Governor DeWine. “We’re happy to highlight the good work that’s happening at schools like Emerson Elementary as we continue our Literacy Leaders Tour. The progress being made here is a great example of what can happen when an entire district makes reading a top priority.”
*MEDIA DOWNLOAD: Gov. DeWine & School Leader Soundbites; Event B-Roll* [ [link removed] ]
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The Governor and First Lady were joined by school leaders and teachers for a roundtable discussion about their implemenation of the Science of Reading and the successes they've seen in classrooms.
Emerson Elementary School has fully implemented literacy curriculum aligned with the Science of Reading. As they have transitioned to this method, the school has seen substantial progress in student literacy achievement.
The school’s percentage of 2nd-graders who are “on track” with their reading skills jumped from 60.4% in 2023 to 71.4% in 2024.
Emerson-Elementary-School-Visit-3 [ [link removed] ]
The Governor and First Lady observed literacy instruction in the kindergarten classroom of teacher Erica Intihar as part of their visit.
In addition, the school’s most recent English Language Arts performance index of 95.4% outpaced their own goal of 85.7%.
During Tuesday’s visit, Governor and First Lady DeWine held a roundtable discussion with Lakewood City Schools Superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki, Emerson Elementary Principal Denice Leddy, and several other school and district leaders to discuss their work implementing the Science of Reading and raising literacy achievement.
The Governor and First Lady also visited several classrooms to get a look at literacy instruction in action.
Emerson-Elementary-Visit-4 [ [link removed] ]
One hundred percent of Emerson Elementary’s classroom teachers and administrators have completed state-required professional learning in the Science of Reading. Additionally, the school’s library services align with the Science of Reading, providing grade-level texts that reinforce classroom instruction.
Emerson Elementary is an example of an entire district’s commitment to the Science of Reading. Lakewood City Schools had four separate elementary schools each earn the Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award [ [link removed] ] earlier this year.
The Governor’s Literacy Leaders Tour began with a visit to Putman Elementary School in Blanchester [ [link removed] ] last week and will continue with additional visits with K-12 schools and early childhood education sites throughout the fall.
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*_About the Science of Reading_*
Based on decades of brain research and literacy development, the Science of Reading is an approach to literacy instruction that focuses on teaching students how to sound out and understand words. Studies show the Science of Reading informs the most effective strategies for teaching students how to read.
Governor DeWine has long supported the implementation of the Science of Reading in all Ohio educational settings, including early childhood education, K-12 education, and higher education.
Science of Reading FAQs [ [link removed] ] – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
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*_Additional Media Contacts:_*
*Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
*Lacey Snoke, Chief Communications Officer
614-995-1855
[email protected]
Chad Eberly, Deputy Chief of Communications
614-466-4839
[email protected]
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