Our Team | Institute of Reading Development

Our Founder's Vision

Paul Copperman

Founder of the Institute of Reading Development (1970)

Paul Copperman founded the Institute of Reading Development in 1970 with a singular vision: every student can become a confident, skilled reader with the right instruction. What began as a bold educational initiative has grown into a national institution that has served over 3 million students across 55+ years of excellence.

A UC Berkeley graduate, Paul brought rigorous scholarship and deep conviction to his work. He didn't just teach reading—he fundamentally challenged how America thought about literacy education. His groundbreaking 1978 book, The Literacy Hoax, disrupted conventional wisdom about American education and established him as a visionary thinker in the field of reading instruction.

More than just a theorist, Paul built IRD's foundational reading instruction methodology from the ground up—a methodology rooted in research, proven across decades, and still at the heart of everything we do today. Under his leadership, IRD grew to partner with 200+ universities nationwide, turning isolated expertise into a national movement for reading excellence.

Though retired, Paul's legacy is woven into every program we offer, every teacher we train, and every student we serve. His conviction that all readers can succeed remains the driving force behind our mission. IRD stands as a testament to what visionary leadership, educational rigor, and unwavering commitment to students can achieve.

Our Leadership

Doug Evans

CEO & VP, Technology

With 30+ years immersed in reading education, Doug brings decades of institutional knowledge and strategic vision to IRD's leadership. He knows what works because he's spent his entire career in the trenches of reading instruction and educational innovation.

Doug created the Raising a Skilled Reader Masterclass, a transformative program that translates IRD's 55+ years of expertise into direct, actionable guidance for families. His leadership drives our strategy for growth and innovation, ensuring we remain at the forefront of reading instruction while staying true to Paul Copperman's original vision.

As CEO, Doug is committed to making IRD's proven methodology accessible to more families, more schools, and more students. He oversees our technological advancement and ensures that our digital platforms are as effective as our in-person instruction.

Josh Kizner

COO & VP, Partnerships

Josh brings operational excellence and institutional expertise to everything IRD does. As Chief Operating Officer, he ensures that every program runs with precision, every partnership thrives, and every student receives the quality instruction they deserve.

His deep understanding of educational institutions earned him a key role in spearheading IRD's 200+ university partnerships—relationships that have extended our reach and amplified our impact across the country. Josh's commitment to partnership excellence means that whether you're a student, school, or university, you'll experience IRD at its finest.

Behind every smooth program delivery, every partnership success, and every seamless student experience stands Josh's dedication to operational integrity and educational excellence.

Our Expert Reading Teachers

Our team includes expert reading teachers trained in IRD's proven Raising Skilled Readers methodology. These are real, experienced educators—not software or AI—who bring human expertise, patience, and dedication to every student interaction.

Certified in Proven Methods

Every IRD teacher is thoroughly trained in our research-backed reading instruction methodology, developed and refined over 55+ years of classroom success.

Real Teachers, Real Experience

We employ experienced educators with credentials in reading instruction—not algorithms or software solutions. Your student works with a human expert every step of the way.

Mission-Driven Excellence

Our teachers are here because they believe in IRD's vision: every student can become a confident, skilled reader. That passion shapes every lesson and every interaction.

The People Behind IRD's Mission