Buffalo Criterion

Read to Succeed Buffalo (RTSB) has appointed Dr. Ayinde Rudolph, principal of Westminster Community Charter School, to its board of directors for a three-year term.

Westminster Community Charter School is one of three schools that make up Buffalo Promise Neighborhood, a multi-stakeholder not-for-profit organization that seeks to improve school performance and transform the surrounding community by providing neighborhood resources, streamlining family services, and improving educational supports.  RTSB literacy intervention specialists began working with Westminster Community Charter School in September.

"Buffalo Promise Neighborhood and Westminster Community Charter School are strong partners in RTSB's efforts to extend our literacy services in the Buffalo Public Schools," said Anne Ryan, RTSB executive director.  "Dr. Rudolph will be a valuable asset to our board as we strive towards our mission of implementing high quality early learning and literacy rich opportunities for children who reside in Buffalo's 14215 Literacy Zone."

Prior to joining Westminster Community Charter School in 2012, Rudolph served as a middle school principal in North Carolina.  With nearly 13 years in education, he has also worked as a school administrator and teacher in Virginia and North Carolina, including serving as principal at the nationally ranked Math, Engineering, Technology, and Science at Olympic High School.  Rudolph holds and educational doctorate in leadership, policy and organizations from Vanderbilt University.  

Read to Succeed Buffalo, Inc. (RTSB) began in 2007 in response to the staggering literacy deficits among the citizens of Buffalo.  Today, RTSB sharpens its focus where it can have the most impact - increasing early childhood literacy and third grade reading scores by preparing children for Kindergarten and early grades through improved exposure to developmentally appropriate, literacy-rich environments wherever they are, including child care, Head Start, public school, or home with a parent or caregiver.

The non-profit organization works to develop models for improving literacy that create systematic change in how the Buffalo community prepares children for success in school and supports them once they enter public school.

A funding collaborative that includes the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, and The John R. Oishei Foundation supports the organization.  For more information, visit www.readtosucceedbuffalo.org.