Matt Stephens Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

-Led the content development team for CommonLit's award winning library that is used by 2 million+ teachers. This included co-development of the strategic vision of the product with the executive leadership team, management of 14 full-time employees and 15+ contractors, adding hundreds of engaging new lessons each year, and securing content licensing rights.-Led the test development teams for CommonLit's Assessment Series, Free Reading Assessment, and 360 Unit Skills Assessment, which were cumulatively used by 3000+ public schools across the United States in 2024. This included co-developing the strategic vision of the testing suite and managing a team of 6 full-time employees.-Member of the executive leadership team that set the organization’s vision, strategy, budget, product development pipeline, and hiring plan.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

-Managed the content development team of CommonLit's award winning library. This included co-development of CommonLit's Target Lessons, an ELA skill-building product for grades 3-12. For school year 2023-2024, 1,000,000+ Target Lessons were submitted through CommonLit's digital platform.-Managed the test development team for CommonLit's Assessment Series and Free Reading Assessment. This included co-developing Unit Skills Assessment, a testing product aligned to CommonLit 360, a full-year ELA curriculum.-Co-developed CommonLit's professional development program. Co-designed and developed 42 on-demand modules that support implementation of the CommonLit 360 curriculum.

-Supported implementation of the CommonLit 360 curriculum with CommonLit's largest partners.-Developed and delivered in-person and virtual PD for CommonLit 360.

-Developed content for the CommonLit 360 curriculum and library.-Managed the content delivery for a $400,000 grant with DC Public Schools.

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Managed implementation of CommonLit.org pilot program as part of $200,000 District of Columbia OSSE SOAR Grant. Facilitated delivery of 16 CommonLit.org unit plans for the E.L. Haynes PCS Middle School ELA department. Wrote and presented related professional development trainings.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Designed, wrote and taught Teachers College-aligned and EngageNY-aligned 7th grade ELA curricula. • DCCAS value-added score was in the top 95% of all DC teachers from 2012-2014. My 7th grade students had a proficiency rate of 74%. This was year-over-year growth (same students last year and this year) of 26%. In addition, only 1% of 7th graders were Below Basic in reading.• 7th Grade Level Chair from 2014-2017. Organized meetings of the 7th grade teacher team, coordinated grade-wide projects such as field trips, incentives, learning initiatives, etc.• Piloted Accelerated Reader and began implementing school wide in SY2015-2016.

Los Angeles, Ca

• Led 130 7th grade English students to highest average amount read in 2008-2009 as compared to all other English classes, including 6th and 8th grade in a 2000 student school.• Chosen as one of 14 teachers (out of 110 teachers) to teach the college-bound AVID elective in 2008-2009.• Designed and taught after school intervention classes for improving California Standards Test scores• Organized and led year-long professional development for 7th grade English department in 2008-09. • Hosted an intervention program with anti-gang organization Homeboy Industries for a below grade-level English class in 2007-08. Culminated in the publication of a book of my students’ poetry and a performance assembly.

Fellow Program, Education Coaching

Leading Educators is a fellow program that advances teacher leaders' leadership skills and opportunities.

Teaching Credential, Education, Post-College

Single Subject English Preliminary Credential with CLAD endorsement, 3.9 GPA

Bachelor’S Degree, English And Comparative Literature And Psychology

Graduated cum laude in English and Comparative Literature as well as Psychology.