Lauren Kaufman’s passion is to empower teachers to lead and to develop lifelong literacy practices in all learners. She currently serves as Director of Literacy K-12 in Long Island, NY, and has a background as an assistant principal, classroom teacher, elementary and middle school literacy specialist, instructional coach, and K-12 mentor coordinator. Lauren has led teams in developing a comprehensive approach to literacy, providing job-embedded professional development, and leading with a coaching mindset. Lauren is the author of The Leader Inside: Stories of Mentorship to Inspire the Leader Within, released in the summer of 2024. She shares her learning actively on her blog, through podcasts, and as a guest blogger for The Teach Better Team, Future Ready Schools, and Defined. She is also a contributing author in various educational journals, as well as Edutopia, Education Week, George Couros' #BecauseOfATeacher, and Lainie Rowell’s #EvolvingWithGratitude. She wholeheartedly believes in the importance of developing powerful professional learning communities and networks that foster meaningful, relevant learning and growth.