John Speer is the interim director of the Iowa Reading Research Center and a clinical associate professor in the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies program at the University of Iowa College of Education. Previously, he was chief administrator for the Grant Wood Area Education Agency, where he served on the IRRC Advisory Council. He began his career as a high school language arts teacher before transitioning to administration, serving as principal in two districts and as superintendent in three districts. Across these roles, he has worked closely with K–12 schools, Area Education Agencies, and the Iowa Department of Education to support the improvement of literacy instruction in the state. John earned a bachelor’s degree in English education, a master’s degree in educational administration, and a doctorate in education from the University of Northern Iowa.