Merceda is a Trainer with Keys to Literacy. Her career began in 2001 as a 4th-grade self-contained charter teacher. She was later hired by the Pittsburgh Public School District as a Preschool Teacher. Soon after, she became an Elementary Gifted Teacher, holding this position for 15 years before transitioning to Middle School ELA as an Instructional Teacher Leader II who modeled best practices. Currently, Merceda is a Literacy Academic Coach, Curriculum Writer, and FACE Coordinator. She has trained teachers on the Science of Reading and other literacy practices. She delivers PD to teachers, schools, and districts. Additionally, Merceda has served on various equity committees, co-planned a couple of ECET2 conferences with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and served on the Curriculum Adoption Committees for Pittsburgh Public Schools. Merceda received her B.S. in Elementary & Early Childhood Education from Carlow College, an Instructional Technology Certificate from Duquesne University, and a Principal’s Certification from Robert Morris University where she is working on completing her M.S. in Instructional Leadership. She obtained a certificate in Leadership after completing CORO Pittsburgh’s Leaders in Learning Program where she spearheaded the GAP Project.