LouAnn Roberto is a second year PhD student in Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning (CISL). She hopes to research early child literacy education and parental involvement in the home, in particular with lower income families. Further research in this field encompasses how children develop literacy skills in response to their environment, and the value of high-quality preschool programs to ensure building a strong foundation in acquiring effective literacy knowledge and skills. Appropriate curriculum instruction and language development are also vital to ensure successful academic learning for all students. Lou Ann holds a Master Degree in Special Education and a BA in Political Science and Psychology and National Boards Certification. She spent 35 years teaching in the Public Schools amongst a diverse group of children and teenagers, working on early childhood intervention and curriculum design. Lou Ann loves travel, baking, genealogy research, and spending time with her niece and nephews.