Susan B Neuman Susan B. Neuman is a professor and the chair of the Teaching and Learning department at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University specializing in early literacy development. Previously, she served on the faculty of the University of Michigan and before that as the US assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education. In her role as assistant secretary, Neuman established the Early Reading First program, developed the Early Childhood Educator Professional Development Program, and was responsible for all the activities in Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.