Dr. Lorraine Cella served for 36 years as a literacy educator in New Jersey. As a teacher of middle school and high school, she taught using reading and writing workshop methodology from the beginning of her career. As a staff developer she coached teachers of grades 3 - 12 and transitioned districts from traditional programs to reading and writing workshop methodology, based on the Teachers College model. In 2005, Dr. Cella completed her doctorate at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, in English Education.

Dr. Cella has served in many roles middle school language arts teacher, high school English teacher, language arts department chairperson, staff developer (K-12), humanities supervisor (7-12), principal (elementary and high school) and superintendent. Her precept is that districts are only as strong as their literacy practices, and she is thrilled now that so many districts are moving towards reading and writing workshop methods.

Since retiring from public education, Dr. Cella serves as a literacy coach and staff developer in districts across the state, teaching writing to women prisoners and continues to serve as an adjunct professor at Saint Peter’s University, Jersey City, NJ, teaching courses leading to the NJ DOE Reading Specialist Certificate.

Her most recent publication is a commentary titled, "How Do You Evaluate Teachers Who Change Lives?" published in Education Week, April 17, 2013. Previously, Lorraine was honored to have “Reading the Complex World: Students Approach The Scarlet Letter from Multiple Perspectives” published in the English Journal, a peer review publication in July of 2002.