As a renowned figure in the field of literacy education, Pam Allyn is changing the way people view the act of learning. She founded LitLife, a national literacy development organization providing innovative, research-based professional development for K-12 educators, in 2002. Pam is deeply committed to fighting towards universal literacy. To bring the freeing power of education to children everywhere, she founded the nonprofit organization LitWorld, and a reading initiative called Books for Boys at residential treatment center and school the Children’s Village. As a motivational speaker, expert consultant, author, teacher and humanitarian for children, Pam Allyn is at the forefront of literacy development.

Pam is the recipient of the James Patterson PageTurner Award for excellence in bringing literacy to underserved populations. She also received a Daily Points of Light Foundation Award for her work in bringing books and literacy to children. In May 2007 The Children's Village presented Pam with its Legacy of Service Award for her tireless efforts to bring the magic of books and reading and companionship to kids whose path through life has been very hard. In her acceptance speech, Pam said, “For these children, for all of us, stories inside books are more than a gentle escape. They are a life raft.” Read Pam's speech from the Legacy of Service Award ceremony.

Her personal quest to bring literacy to every child stems from a deeper desire to bring dignity to every child, and to empower children to read and write powerfully, effectively and with passion and delight, so that they may grow up able to fulfill their dreams and leave their positive imprint on the world. LitWorld is currently working with schools in Kenya and Liberia to further this dream. Pam is also a board member of Global Action for Children and the Center for Community Engagement at Amherst College. She was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of the Dream Charter School in Harlem, New York, and to the Board of James Patterson's Read Kiddo Read.

The daughter and granddaughter of teachers, Pam knew since she was a little girl that she would be a teacher. A graduate of Amherst College, Pam received an M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University. For ten years, Pam enjoyed wonderful learning and leadership opportunities at the Columbia University Reading and Writing Project. As Director of Funded Projects, Pam partnered with funding organizations to bring innovative initiatives to the New York City public schools.

Pam is the author of seven books for educators and parents. The latest is What to Read When: The Books and Stories to Read with Your Child – And all the Best Times to Read Them, about the power of reading aloud and the best books for every age and moment, published by Penguin in 2009. Her first professional book, The Complete 4: How to Teach Reading and Writing Through Daily Lessons, Monthly Units and Yearlong Calendars, was published by Scholastic in November 2007. It has been followed by six Complete Year books on the teaching of reading and writing for grades K-5. Pam is also featured in the recently released LitLife DVD The Window and the Mirror: Best Practice Methods for the Teaching of Writing K-2. The DVD offers an innovative look at how to link writing lessons to writing conferences.

Pam Allyn is an in-demand motivational speaker on educational matters. She has spoken for audiences across the country, including the Mid-South Reading and Writing Institute Conference and the National Council of Teachers of English. Her audiences include teachers, administrators, librarians and parents eager to hear her best-practice methods for improving children’s skills in reading and writing. She has led seminars and workshops both locally and internationally. Known for her warmth and humor, Pam uses her lectures to build new paths in the teaching and practice of reading and writing. Her goal is to nourish the learning lives of teachers and parents and all others involved in the great undertaking of educating our children.