Kirsten Chansky
Kirsten (Gould) Chansky is a district coach, literacy leader, and author with more than 17 years of experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and educational consultant. Based in Maine, she currently serves in the RSU 14 Windham/Raymond School District, where she partners with K–5 educators and district leaders to strengthen evidence-based literacy instruction, assessment practices, and equitable outcomes for students. Kirsten is deeply committed to bridging the gap between research and practice, ensuring that the science of reading translates into meaningful, sustainable classroom impact.
Drawing from her own classroom experience, Kirsten created Sounds of Success, a phonemic awareness program focused on phoneme-level blending and segmenting and fully integrated with phonics. The program was developed after she recognized that many commonly used tools were not aligned with research and left students struggling despite strong instructional effort. Sounds of Success is certified under ESSA Tier 4 by Johns Hopkins University and is now being implemented across classrooms, with 2025 marking its first full year of widespread use and documented progress in early literacy outcomes.
Kirsten holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine, both earned with a 4.0 GPA. Her professional credentials include LETRS Local Facilitator, Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) certification, and Teacher Consultant with the National Writing Project. A recognized leader in education, she is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and has contributed to multiple professional publications. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: literacy instruction isn’t about programs—it’s about kids and giving educators the clarity and tools they need to help every child succeed.
• Mind, Brain and Education (MBE) Certification
• Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning
• Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family—especially my parents, who were both educators, and my mother, whose guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support played a major role in shaping my career and motivating me to finish my book. I’m also deeply grateful to my district for providing the support and trust needed to implement the work and bring it to life in classrooms.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make time to take care of yourself, because you can’t be your best for students if you’re running on empty. Surround yourself with the right people who support you, so you can in turn provide the best possible support for kids.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are balance, commitment, and purpose—prioritizing my role as a mom to my two-year-old while staying dedicated to meaningful work, including writing my book.