John Russell

Associate Director of the Haskins Global Literacy Hub

Dr. John J. Russell is Associate Director of the Haskins Global Literacy Hub at the Yale Child Study Center and an Associate Research Professor at the University of Connecticut. Previously, Dr. Russell was head of The Windward School, an independent co-educational day school for children with language-based learning disabilities, and executive director of the Windward Institute.

Over the past four decades, Dr. Russell has held leadership and teaching positions in public school districts in Westchester County, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut, including 11 years as superintendent of schools.  His pro bono work includes membership on the Mayor of New York’s Citywide Literacy Advisory Council, the Dyslexia and Intervention Practices sub-council of the Literacy Advisory Council, and The New York State Path Forward Initiative as an advisor to the Educator Preparation Working Group.

He earned his doctoral degree in educational administration at Fordham University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. His research interests include language-based learning disabilities, research-based instructional practices, and organizational theory.  Dr. Russell presents on these topics at national and international conferences.