Board & Team Boon

Jay LaRoche

Jay LaRoche is a senior executive committed to literacy and educational excellence, with over 37 years of leadership in educational publishing and teacher training. He is the co-founder and former President of Staff Development for Educators (SDE), where he led the organization for over two decades. Under his leadership, SDE became a leading provider of professional development for PreK–Grade 12 teachers, specialists, and school and district leaders, known for its commitment to practical, research-based strategies that improve classroom instruction and student outcomes.

Following the acquisition of SDE by Highlights for Children, Jay continued to guide the organization’s rapid expansion, scaling its theory-into-practice approach to all 50 states, across multiple disciplines. In 2012, he joined Wilson Language Training, where he first served as Vice President of Outreach, helping to expand the company’s national presence and engagement with educators. He later became Vice President of Operations, where he was responsible for the management of both the Wilson® Accredited Training Partners and Wilson® Accredited Higher Education Partners, while also overseeing strategic relationships and operational excellence in support of Wilson’s evidence-based literacy programs.

Jay’s career reflects a consistent dedication to literacy, equity, and empowering educators through high-quality professional learning. He brings deep experience in curriculum, business development, strategic operations, and educational leadership. He advises numerous education-focused nonprofit organizations and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from New Hampshire College.