Meet the Team

Penny Esterley — President | Co-Founder | Director of Literacy & Learning Initiatives (MLIS)

Penny Esterley is President, Co-Founder, and Director of Literacy & Learning Initiatives at Community Literacy Lab. With an MLIS and training in structured literacy, she specializes in reading intervention, curriculum design, and evidence-based instruction, including Orton-Gillingham and IEW. Penny designs programs, teaches multi-age classes, and mentors tutors, enabling learners to build skills and confidence. She leads the Lab’s microschool model, literacy games, and family supports that connect school, home, and community. Her approach combines explicit, systematic teaching with real-world practice, ensuring skills stick. Guided by the belief that literacy opens doors, Penny builds inclusive spaces where students, parents, and educators thrive.