Speaker Jon Burns Announces Appointments to Literacy Task Force

Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced his appointments to the Georgia Literacy Task Force. Each appointee has been determined by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement to meet the qualifications and criteria established under the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026. The task force will be responsible for evaluating and recommending key components of Georgia’s historic literacy reform, including professional learning programs, reading screeners and high-quality instructional materials aligned with the state’s science-based literacy standards.

“The Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 marks a historic milestone and generational investment in the future of Georgia’s children and our entire state,” said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. “Together, the members of this task force bring a wealth of knowledge, decades of experience, and a shared commitment to bringing science-based, proven literacy instruction to every K-3 classroom across our state. I want to thank each of them for their willingness to serve and ensure every Georgia student has an opportunity to read and succeed.”

Speaker Jon Burns’ Appointments

Dr. Amy Lingo – Amy Lingo is the Dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University. She previously served as the Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville from 2019-2024. Dr. Lingo’s research expertise includes life-long literacy, positive behavior supports in school settings, academic interventions for students with learning disabilities and relationships between challenging behaviors and academic achievement.

Lesley S. Taylor – Lesley Taylor is a literacy-focused instructional leader with over 25 years in Georgia public education, spanning classroom teaching, reading specialization, instructional coaching, school administration and regional literacy leadership. She currently serves as the Regional Literacy Coach for First District RESA, training and supporting literacy coaches across the region in Science of Reading practices and implementation of the Georgia Early Literacy Act (HB 1193).

Dayle Burns – Mrs. Dayle Burns is a retired elementary school educator and administrator with more than 30 years of experience in education. Currently, she co-leads the Effingham Early Literacy Council to address the literacy needs of prenatal to age five children in her community. Drawing on her decades of classroom experience and her passion for early childhood development and learning, Mrs. Burns provided invaluable expertise and leadership that helped shape the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026.

The Literacy Task Force will be chaired by the State Literacy Director and will work to continue implementing Georgia’s historic literacy reforms, strengthen resources for educators and ensure every child has a strong foundation for learning from their earliest years in the classroom.