Dr. Mary Beth Stevens is an accomplished educational leader with over three decades of experience in literacy education and school administration. Prior to joining NCFL,  Mary Beth served as Principal at Dawson Orman Early Childhood in Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, where she played a pivotal role in developing innovative literacy programs, including collaborating with NCFL to create a research-based Alphabet Learning Framework. Mary Beth holds a Ph.D. in Education and Social Change from Bellarmine University, along with extensive certifications in elementary education, reading and writing instruction, and school leadership.

Throughout her career, Mary Beth has made significant contributions to literacy education, particularly through her work as a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader in Jefferson County Public Schools. She designed and implemented the successful Summer Literacy Boost program, which served over 700 emergent readers from Title 1 schools, and developed the JCPS Kindergarten Teaching Academy framework. Her expertise has been shared through numerous presentations at national conferences, and she has served on the Reading Recovery Council of North America Executive Board. As an adjunct instructor at several universities, including Bellarmine University and Walden University, she has helped shape the next generation of literacy educators while maintaining active memberships in key professional organizations.