Ms. Shervaughnna Anderson-Byrd, Executive Director of the California Reading and Literature Project, is a proud graduate of Long Beach Unified School District and has been working in education for 30 years. She began her teaching career in Hong Kong, where she taught primary school and eventually became Head Teacher. Since returning to the United States, she has been a K-12 teacher, a reading specialist, and a site and district administrator; she has extensive instructional coaching knowledge and experience in establishing and nurturing professional learning experiences. She has served on California state committees concerning English Language Arts, English Learners, Standard English Learners, and instructional practices for Black students. She supported the entire county of Los Angeles as a consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). She supported the state of California as a content specialist for Educational Outreach at the UC Office of the President in Oakland.
In Oakland, Shervaughnna had the opportunity to serve schools with high populations of Black students. While working in Oakland, she noticed the inequitable resources and perpetual low academic outcomes for Black students. In 2008, while working at LACOE, she created the first Black/African American county professional learning community and created a space for educators to come and discuss issues concerning Black students. In 2010, Shervaughnna became the Director of Reading Programs at Center X at UCLA, where she continued her focus on supporting the most marginalized students by developing programs and awareness in local professional organizations. She also had the role of Director of the Parent Empowerment Program, where she brought the concept of a “village” framework to districts throughout Los Angeles County to support the most marginalized communities in our school systems to have a stronger voice in their children's learning.
In June of 2023, Shervaughnna was named the Statewide Executive Director for the California Reading and Literature Project, making her the first Black person in this role. In 2023, Shervaughnna received the UCLA Black Excellence Award for dedication and contributions that illustrate commitment, integrity, and perseverance.
She began her teaching career in Hong Kong, she has been a K-12 teacher, a reading specialist, coach, administrator; and has extensive knowledge nurturing professional learning experiences. She has served on California state committees concerning instruction. She was a consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Education and a content specialist for the UC Office of the President. In 2023, Shervaughnna was named the Statewide Executive Director for the California Reading and Literature Project, the first Black person in this role. Shervaughnna received the UCLA Black Excellence Award for dedication and contributions that illustrate commitment, integrity, and perseverance.
