Tanya Christ, PhD, is the Spangler Distinguished Professor of Early Child Literacy in the Department of Literacy and Special Education at East Carolina University. Her scholarship centers on K–3 listening and reading comprehension; young children’s engagement across paper and digital texts; and teacher development, including collaborative reflective practices and AI literacy. Christ’s work is also anchored in community-based early literacy initiatives (e.g., Pontiac Reads (Michigan), Roots to Reading (North Carolina)). She has authored 76 publications and contributes to the field through externally funded work, including serving as co-PI on the IES Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI (CELaRAI). Previously, Christ taught early elementary grades in New York City Public Schools.