The Life & Inspiration of TANYA PARIS: An Author and The Heart Behind the Words

Tanya Paris is an award-winning educator, literacy specialist, and educational coach with years of experience helping young readers succeed. As a Teacher of the Year recipient, she has dedicated her career to implementing science-based literacy practices that empower students, educators, and caregivers.

With extensive experience in serving elementary schools, Tanya has developed research-backed resources that make reading instruction engaging and effective. She also co-directs a successful summer tutoring program, where for the past 10 years, she has supported developing readers in building strong foundational skills.

Through her work, Tanya is committed to equipping educators and caregivers with the tools they need to foster confident, enthusiastic, and independent readers.

Her innovative Decodable Kits combine science-based methods with early childhood developmental philosophy, reflecting the best practices for how young children learn. These kits have been vetted by the prestigious Reading League and are featured in their list of decodable resources.

I am Tanya.

I am Dominican

Ours is a culture of oral tradition—rich with rhythm, emotion, and meaning. I grew up listening to my mother’s voice echoing through our home with poetry and parables, shaping my love of story. My favorite? El de la vidriera—a reminder that words can move hearts, provoke thought, and inspire empathy.

I am a mother.

My children are my greatest heartache, headache, and joy—wrapped up in a steaming blueberry muffin. They ground me, stretch me, and remind me daily why literacy access matters.

I am a wife.

Leaving an abusive relationship in my twenties was the bravest and kindest act I’ve ever done for myself. In the aftermath of healing, I met my husband—a Jewish man who fell in love with the spark of Latin culture. Life had its own match to strike.

I am an author.

I’ve written over 20 picture books for children in PreK through fifth grade—each one born from a desire to reflect real, diverse voices and joyful learning moments. I’m also a poet and a novelist, always guided by curiosity and love for language.

I am an educator.

Though I’ve taught various grades, my heart belongs to kindergarten. People call it “cute”—and yes, it is. But it’s also a place of firsts, wonder, discovery, and transformation. The questions kids ask, the things they notice—it’s magic.

From a kindergartener:
"She has eyes in the back of her head."
"Oh, like in her neck!"

I am a daughter.

One of seven. Smack in the middle. That, too, is part of my story—shaped by shared beds, big laughs, and the tight curls that spring up toward the sky. Family, culture, and identity are never far from my stories.

I am a creator.

Not only am I the founder of Sparking Creativity, but also a co-founder of Las Margaritas Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on educating underserved children in the Dominican Republic. My purpose has always extended beyond borders—because literacy is a human right.