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Tanda Lisenbee has been named as a State Regional Literacy Director within the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) Division of Early Literacy. Tanda Lisenbee joined the Kentucky Department of Education in July 2023 as a State Literacy Coaching Specialist. Over the past three years, she has dedicated herself to improving early literacy outcomes for K–3 students. A passionate and driven educational professional, Tanda works to inspire both educators and colleagues to pursue excellence in reading instruction. As a classroom teacher, she continually implemented challenging, evidence-based learning experiences that fostered foundational academic success.
Tanda completed her undergraduate education at Tennessee's Lincoln Memorial University and earned both a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Education as a Literacy Specialist from the University of the Cumberlands. Demonstrating a profound commitment to the science of reading, Tanda was a member of the inaugural LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) cohort through the Kentucky Reading Academies, completed LETRS for Administrators, and is a Certified LETRS Facilitator.
Throughout her career, Tanda has gained invaluable experience in research-aligned high-quality instructional resource (HQIR) implementation, data-driven literacy analysis, and the planning and implementation of high-impact professional learning. She specializes in working closely with teachers to refine instructional practices and accelerate student reading performance. Tanda has served on numerous boards and committees devoted to high-quality educational experiences.
Lisenbee states, “I truly believe that the ability to read is a critical indicator of the life trajectory of students. This is why I strongly support our state’s commitment to early literacy, particularly the implementation of the Read to Succeed Act and its shift toward evidence-based instruction. Being a part of this movement in literacy is a distinct privilege, and I am compelled to dedicate myself to furthering its purpose. I look forward to building relationships and collaborating with educators, administrators and stakeholders to give future generations the foundational knowledge and skills that pave the way to their lifelong success.”
In her new role, Tanda is dedicated to fulfilling the Office of Teaching and Learning’s Vision for Excellence in Early Literacy Instruction. Her breadth of experience, data-informed leadership and unparalleled dedication to serving young learners make Tanda a transformative voice for early literacy. She is deeply honored to serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky by enriching lives through the power of literacy.
Start off back to school relationship-building with students and families with these three helpful resources: Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) Family Guides, A Family’s Guide to Understanding Student Assessment and the Read at Home Plan Family Guide.
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The KAS Family Guides were developed to help families familiarize themselves with the concepts of each grade level’s academic standards and include suggestions for how families can reinforce grade-level content at home. Each guide contains a standards overview for mathematics, reading and writing, science, social studies and visual and performing arts. The family guides for reading and writing align with the new KAS for Reading and Writing. Guides are available for grades K–8 and high school, and they are also offered in Spanish for Spanish-speaking families.
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A Family’s Guide to Understanding Student Assessment was made to help families understand how assessment can support student learning. The guide includes information about formative, diagnostic, interim and summative assessment and gives teachers and families common language to use when discussing student assessment.
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The Read At Home Plan Family Guide includes learning experiences families can have with children at home to support their reading skills development. Additionally, the guide includes information about Senate Bill 9 (2022), the Read to Succeed Act, Reading Improvement Plans and the key role families play in student success. A glossary of literacy terms and general tips for reading at home also are included. The at-home learning experiences contained in this document are organized into the five essential components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension).
ICYMI: New Webpages Available to Support House Bill 253 (2026)
Science of Reading Professional Learning
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has launched a new Early Literacy webpage providing guidance on House Bill (HB) 253 (2026) and approved Science of Reading (SoR) professional learning opportunities. The law requires that, by June 30, 2029, all K-5 educators must complete KDE-approved SoR professional learning and establishes expectations for literacy instruction that reflect the extensive body of research on how students learn to read. Visit the Science of Reading Professional Learning page to learn the goal of the bill, review the list of expanded access to high-quality professional learning and more.
State Approved Reading Intervention List
To support implementation of House Bill 253 (2026), the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has published the HB 253 (2026) State Approved Reading Intervention List. The resource includes an approved list of scientifically researched, evidence-based K-12 reading intervention programs that align with structured literacy and do not utilize three-cueing instructional practices.
While the approved list is designed to support local selection of high-quality interventions, the accompanying guidance emphasizes an equally important principle: Instructional coherence. Districts are encouraged to first consider Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions that are embedded within or aligned to their adopted Tier 1 high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs). Students benefit most when intervention reinforces the same content, routines and instructional approaches they experience during core instruction, which creates a cohesive system that accelerates learning rather than fragments it.
District and school leaders are encouraged to visit the HB 253 (2026) State Approved Reading Intervention List page to explore both the approved intervention list and the guidance for selecting interventions that strengthen, not replace, an aligned, coherent literacy system.
Deadline Approaching: LETRS Cohort 5 Registration Ends Aug. 21!
Interested educators and administrators can visit the Kentucky Reading Academies webpage to learn more about LETRS for Educators and LETRS for Administrators, review enrollment information and complete the registration form.
Please note: Limited licenses are available for Cohort 5, and registration will be first come, first served.
Also of note: Cohort 4 participants will not need to register for Cohort 5, as they are already enrolled.
Questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies may be directed to KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about Early Literacy, please email KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff
For additional questions contact our Regional Literacy Directors:
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