Rafely Palacios

About

Rafely Palacios

I am a Latina literacy consultant and instructional leader dedicated to one thing: making sure the Science of Reading actually works for multilingual learners.

As a former English learner myself, I know that instructional design isn't just about curriculum-it's about access. I help schools and districts move past fragmented practices to build literacy systems that are research-aligned, sustainable, and equitable.

Whether I'm partnering with leadership teams on system-wide shifts or helping teachers strengthen Tier 1 instruction, my goal is to ensure every student-especially those from our most underserved communities-has the tools to become a powerful reader.

Education

  • Incoming PhD in Human Development, Learning and Teaching at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
  • M.Ed Elementary Education, Stanford University
  • B.A. International Relations and B.A. Education, Emory University
  • California Multi-Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization

Teaching Experience

  • 1st Grade Bilingual Teacher, Fiesta Gardens International School (San Mateo, CA)
  • 2nd Grade Bilingual Teacher, John Muir Elementary School (San Francisco, CA) — San Francisco's first laboratory school

Consulting & Advisory Work

  • Educational Consultant: Designed and facilitated literacy professional development for up to 60 educators.
  • Curriculum Creator and Advisor

Awards & Recognition

  • Inagural Teaching Fellow, Multilngual Literacy Collaborative (2026)
  • 30 Under 30, International Literacy Association (2025)
  • Latinx Teacher Fellow, Latinos for Education (2025)
  • LIGHT Grant Recipient, Intrepid Foundation (2024)
  • Stanford Teaching Fellow (2021)

Publications

Presentations & Speaking

  • Supporting Multilingual Learners in Tier 1

    Webinar: The Reading League of Washington (April 2026)

  • Reimagining Literacy for ELs: Equity, Evidence, and Language Justice in Action

    Symposium: Literacy and Justice for All | Oakland, CA (March 2026)

  • San Francisco's First Literacy Lesson Study Cycle: UFLI for Multilingual Students

    Conference: World Association of Lesson Study | Hiroshima, Japan (November 2025)

Areas of Expertise

  • Literacy Instruction for Multilingual Learners (Tier 1/2 Focus)
  • Research-Aligned Foundational Skills for Bilingual Contexts
  • Curriculum Adaptation for Multilingual Access
  • Instructional Coherence & Systems Design
  • Lesson Study as a Driver of Instructional Change
  • Strategic Professional Learning for Literacy Equity