2025 FEATURED SPEAKERS

  • Reading Specialist
    Spotsylvania County Schools

    I am in my 8th year as a reading specialist with Spotsylvania County Schools. Previously, I spent 25 years in the classroom and have taught grades 1 - 5. In addition to teaching in Spotsylvania County, I taught for 9 years in Detroit Public Schools. I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early And Middle Childhood. In 2022, I completed my Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a dual major in reading and English as a Second Language at the University of Virginia. I have a Master’s in Literacy Education from the University of Michigan and am an overly proud graduate of East Carolina University, where I majored in Elementary Education with a minor in reading. I live in King George County with my husband, my special needs cat, Daisy, and my big lab puppy, Addie. In my free time, I enjoy hiking with my husband and my friends, running, reading, and scrapbooking.

  • Assistant Professor of Literacy
    Radford University

    Lisa D. Aker is a literacy faculty member in the School of Teacher Education at Radford University. Lisa teaches face-to-face pre-service undergraduate courses and online graduate courses in the Master of Science in Literacy Education program. She is a former elementary classroom teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach. Her work has been published in The Reading Teacher, Reading in Virginia, Effective Practices in Online Teacher Preparation for Literacy Educators, Social Studies and the Young Learner, and Best Practices for Literacy Leaders Key to School Improvement: 2nd Edition.

  • Associate Professor
    University of Virginia

  • PhD Student, Research Assistant
    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Candace Bechtold is a second-year doctoral student in the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University with a concentration in Curriculum, Culture, and Change. She currently works as a graduate assistant partnering on multiple literacy-related research projects. She is also the editorial manager for the Journal of Prison Education Research and a reviewer for Reading in Virginia, a literacy-based journal in Virginia.

  • Reading Specialist
    Roanoke City Public Schools

    Ms. Belcher has been teaching for 28 years in Roanoke City Public Schools, 19 of those as a Reading Specialist.

  • School Testing Coordinator
    Loudoun County Public Schools

    Katie Blessing is in her 14th year of education. Currently, she is the School Testing Coordinator at Rock Ridge HS in Loudoun County. Katie works with all instructional staff to support remediation for students in all content areas. Previously, she was the Science Department chair at RRHS and her previous school. Katie began her career as an Earth Science teacher.

  • Associate Director, Office of Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Practice
    Virginia Tech

    Dr. Nancy Bradley is the Associate Director of the Office of Academic Programs in the School of Education at Virginia Tech and a member of the elementary education faculty. Her research is focused on the recruitment, preparation, induction, and retention of teachers.

  • Literacy Coach/Dyslexia Advisor
    Rockingham County Schools

    Anne is in her 25th year of education. She has taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade and has served as a reading specialist for 7 years. She is currently a literacy coach in Rockingham County for the past 4 years. She is also a LETRS Facilitator and the Dyslexia Advisor for Rockingham County. Anne lives in Stuarts Draft, VA, with her husband, Ricky. They have three children and six grandchildren. In her free time, she loves to read and spend time with my family.

  • Literacy & Math Specialist

    Jennifer Burchfiel has spent 35 years in education as a teacher, campus coach, both a Math and a Language Arts District Coordinator, and finally, an Early Learning Instructional Strategy Director. Jennifer received the 2021 Texas Education Leadership in Literacy Award from the Texas Association for Literacy Educators (TALE). Her passion for teaching reading, writing, and math has been evident in her work as she has led many students and teachers over the years on how to make learning fun!

  • Literacy Coach
    Literacy Edventures & Roanoke County Public Schools

    Amie is the owner of Literacy Edventures, co-owner of Unlocking SOR, and the author of the phonics curriculum Foundations to Fluency, approved in the state of Virginia under the Virginia Literacy Act. She is also the author of the upcoming book Literacy Unlocked: How to Implement the Science of Reading with Young Learners, to be published by Jossey-Bass. With 15 years of experience in education, including teaching kindergarten and first grade and serving as a K-5 Literacy Coach, Amie is dedicated to helping teachers take research and make it practical. Trained in LETRS, Orton-Gillingham, and the Science of Reading, Amie’s workshops are interactive and full of actionable strategies to support educators in helping all students, particularly those struggling with reading. Her sessions leave teachers energized and equipped with the tools needed to positively impact students' literacy journeys.

  • Learning and Development Manager
    International Literacy Association
    Bahamas Literacy Association Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise Zonta Club of New Providence

    Janelle Cambridge is a dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience, focused on maintaining and promoting high standards in hospitality education and literacy training. She has received several prestigious awards, including the Cacique Award, the Bahamian Icon Award for Education, and an International Award for Excellence in Education from the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Janelle has presented at conferences globally and published numerous articles on Education. She holds an MSc. Degree in Reading and Inclusive Education and completed doctoral studies in Education at The University of Calgary. Known as The PopUP Teacher, she offers training in soft skills, hospitality skills, literacy, and professional development for educators. Janelle is presently a Learning, Development, and Outreach Manager and lectures as an Adjunct Instructor at the collegiate level. She is a founder of the Bahamas Literacy Association and a member of the International Literacy Association. Her advocacy for women empowerment and Literacy has matriculated into membership with the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise and The Zonta Club of New Providence.

  • Reading Specialist, Educational Consultant
    Campbell Creates Readers

    Savannah Campbell is a K-5 reading specialist. For 13 years, Savannah worked at the elementary school she went to as a child. In 2022, she was named Teacher of the Year for both her elementary school and all elementary schools in her district. She holds two master’s degrees in education from the College of William and Mary. Savannah is both Orton-Gillingham and LETRS trained. She has worked through transitioning from a balanced literacy mindset to structured literacy. Her greatest hope in life is to allow all children to live the life they want by helping them to become literate individuals.

  • Regional Director of Professional Learning, ILA

    As a Regional Director of Professional Learning, Jimi Cannon plays the role of literacy and professional learning consultant for schools and districts across several states. In that role, he helps Scholastic’s partners identify instructional approaches and pedagogy that support student goals. From there, he designs professional learning plans that align with school and district goals and support collective responsibility by including learning paths for administrators, principals, coaches, and teachers. This role also requires Jimi to support a team of highly skilled educators who go into the field to facilitate professional learning via many avenues, such as learning sessions, small group coaching, and individual instructional coaching. This vital component of his position ensures that Scholastic’s partners encounter effective practices in education and professional learning.

  • Literacy Coach
    Rockingham County Public Schools

    Tabitha Carter is in her fourth year as a Literacy Coach for Rockingham County Public Schools. Prior to that, she was a reading specialist at both the elementary and secondary level as well as a 1st grade teacher. She is currently working toward her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - Reading at the University of Virginia. For fun, she loves to read, write, play tennis, and watch Orioles baseball! She and her son, Nash, enjoy going to Orioles games and are currently working on visiting all 30 stadiums to watch the O's play!

  • Assistant Professor
    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Lisa Cipolletti, EdD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She teaches literacy courses to pre-service early/elementary teachers and serves as a student advisor. She received the VCU School of Education Outstanding Term Faculty Award in 2023. Lisa serves as the Ruth Harris Fellow, and in this role, she collaborates with a team on initiatives related to dyslexia and language learning disabilities. These initiatives include a focus on teacher preparation and community engagement, two areas of great interest to Lisa. She is a licensed reading specialist K-12, and prior to coming to VCU, she taught elementary school in Virginia.

  • Literary Specialist, Elementary Literacy Department
    Roanoke City Public Schools

    Kayleigh Critzer is a District Literacy Specialist at Roanoke City Public Schools, where they are dedicated to advancing literacy instruction and supporting educators in fostering student success. With a passion for literacy development, Kayleigh collaborates with teachers and administrators to implement evidence-based strategies and ensure that all students have the tools to thrive academically. Kayleigh holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Radford University, a Master of Education Degree in Reading from Old Dominion University, and is currently working on a Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration from Radford University. She is also a Local and Professional LETRS facilitator and has collaborated with educators from across Virginia to support teachers in implementing the 2024 English standards.

  • Reading Specialist
    Roanoke City Public Schools

    Courtney Croom is a dedicated Reading Specialist with Roanoke City Public Schools, where she is committed to promoting literacy and academic success for all students. She holds a Master’s in Teaching from Hollins University, a Reading Specialist certificate from the University of Virginia, and both a B.A. in International Studies and a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University. Before transitioning to her current role, Courtney taught middle school science for seven years, gaining invaluable experience working with diverse learners. Her background in both science and literacy allows her to bring a unique perspective to her work, blending critical thinking with evidenced-based literacy strategies. Courtney works diligently with teachers, families, and students to empower students to become capable, confident, lifelong learners.

  • Assistant Professor and Fieldwork Coordinator, R-MC
    Randolph-Macon College and Co-President of the Virginia College Literacy Educators Chapter of VSLA

    Julie Dauksys has been an educator for thirty-four years, teaching at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. Recently retired, Julie is an assistant professor at Randolph-Macon College, teaching literacy coursework, coordinating fieldwork placements, and facilitating Macon Mentors. Julie received her undergraduate degree from Longwood, her master’s in reading from the University of Virginia, and her doctorate in curriculum, culture, and change from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her interests include all things literacy, coaching and mentoring pre-service and in-service teachers, and all things Harry Potter (by the way, she is a Hufflepuff)! Julie lives just outside Ashland with her husband Chris, their son Evan, who is a junior at Coastal Carolina University, and their dog Sam-I-Am.

  • Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach VBCPS

    Beth Estill began her teaching career in 1989 teaching second graders in Virginia Beach. During that time, she earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of Virginia, which afforded her a plethora of educational opportunities.

    In addition to moving to the division level to serve as a language arts coordinator and division-wide coach, she was asked to teach classes for the University of Virginia as well as provide in-services for over eight years to schools designated as Reading First Schools under the No Child Left Behind initiative.

    During her tenure as a language arts coordinator, Mrs. Estill pursued her Education Specialist Degree in reading with the University of Virginia. Mrs. Estill has served as a reading specialist for the last twenty-two years. The role of the reading specialist has changed during her tenure from providing mostly small group instruction using guided reading techniques to supporting teachers as a coach and literacy leader implementing the process based on the science of reading during whole group and small group instruction.

    In addition to teaching at the building level, Mrs. Estill has served as an adjunct professor for the College of William and Mary for those teachers pursuing their reading degree. Mrs. Estill has provided staff development, modeling, and curriculum development for many divisions around the state for over fifteen years, sharing her knowledge of the most current literacy practices.

    She has presented at numerous conferences over the years at the national, state, and local levels, including the Virginia State Reading Association, the state Title 1 Conference, Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Training Technical Assistance Centers (TTAC), and the International Literacy Association.

    But the one aspect of her career that she is proudest of, is when she hears from a former student. The most recent from a young man she taught during her years as a second-grade teacher:

    “You taught me many years ago at Alanton Elementary, and I wanted to send a quick note of thanks. My son started kindergarten a few weeks ago, and I realize now why my parents were so grateful that a teacher cared about me. You crossed my mind today when my son brought home his first progress report. I'm sure the life of a reading specialist post-pandemic is remarkably busy, but I wanted to tell you that I haven't forgotten your warmth and kindness after all these years.”

    This is what being a teacher is all about for Mrs. Estill.

  • Division Literacy Specialist Roanoke City Public Schools

    Blaire Flowers is an experienced educator and literacy leader with a passion for empowering students and educators through evidence-based literacy practices. With 20 years in education, Blaire has served as a classroom teacher, Reading Specialist, and Division Literacy Specialist, providing leadership in implementing effective literacy instruction aligned with the Virginia Literacy Act and new state standards. A proud graduate of Radford University, Blaire earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a master’s degree in Literacy Education. Blaire is dedicated to fostering literacy success and ensuring equitable opportunities for all learners. She brings practical insights, research-based strategies, and a commitment to collaboration, equipping educators to make meaningful impacts in their classrooms and communities.

  • Supervisor of Reading Improvement
    Roanoke City Public Schools

    Rachel Floyd is currently the Supervisor of Reading Improvement and Instructional Coaches with Roanoke City Public Schools in Roanoke, VA. She has spent 20 years serving the students of Roanoke City as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and instructional supervisor. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Radford University and a Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University. She is also a local LETRS Volume 1 and Volume 2 facilitator. Rachel is married to her husband, Jeff Floyd, of 25 years and has two children: Kacey, 22, and Daniel, 16. Rachel is passionate about helping to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills to support students on their learning journey.

  • Program Leader/Faculty
    NRVRC

    Donna works with the Elementary Education students in the School of Education at Virginia Tech. She teaches literacy courses, listening literacy, social studies, culturally responsive teaching pedagogies and curriculum courses in the elementary program.

  • K-3 Science of Reading Field Implementation Coordinator
    Rollins Center for Language and Literacy

    Korrye Gaskins is a K-3 Science of Reading Field Implementation Coordinator for the Rollins Center for Language and Literacy. In this role, she builds knowledge and supports the implementation of effective literacy practices in multiple Georgia districts. Her journey in education includes teaching K-2nd grades, instructional coaching, and serving as a district literacy coach in Roanoke City Public Schools. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, a second Master’s in Literacy Education with a reading specialist endorsement, and is set to begin her doctoral studies in Reading Science this summer. Korrye is a passionate educator dedicated to improving literacy outcomes by sharing knowledge with educators and decision-makers

  • Reading Specialist
    Loudoun County Public Schools

    Christine Gates is currently the Reading Specialist at Rock Ridge High School. Prior to serving as a reading specialist, Christine was a middle school reading specialist, an elementary teacher, a lead teacher and lead mentor. Christine holds a Master’s Degree (+33) in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Reading. She is also a published author. Christine brings over 25 years of instructional experience to this team and conference!

  • Secondary English Teacher
    Roanoke City Public Schools

    Bethley Giles is a middle school English teacher in Roanoke, Virginia; she currently teaches 6th grade English. She co-leads the Creative Writing Club at her middle school, where she has initiated a school literary magazine, and she is a member of her school’s curriculum committee.

  • Professor of Literacy Education
    Radford University

    Dr. Katie Hilden is a Professor of Literacy Education at Radford University, where she serves as the Program Coordinator for Literacy Education. She enjoys working with future Reading Specialists, preparing preservice teachers, and partnering with teachers in regional school districts. Her current research interest focuses on cycles of professional learning.

  • Vice Principal, Adjunct Lecturer
    Bahamas Literacy Association

    Lakell Johnson, an accomplished educator and literacy advocate, holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Language and Literature and a Master’s in Reading and Inclusive Education from The College of The Bahamas. With over 19 years of experience, she has served in leadership roles.

    Lakell is the Vice President of The Bahamas Literacy Association and has presented extensively on literacy and education, including at the Florida Reading Association and Trinidad Reading Conferences.

    She is a Vice Principal at a secondary school in Nassau, Bahamas, and an Adjunct Professor.

    Her community initiatives span youth mentorship, neighborhood leadership, and literacy advocacy, such as organizing reading clinics, book clubs, and professional development workshops. Dedicated to fostering education locally and internationally, Lakell continues to inspire excellence through impactful teaching and community engagement.

  • Regional Literacy Coach
    Virginia Literacy Partnerships

    Lori Keister is an Education and Outreach Manager at Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP). She earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and administration endorsement from Radford University. Throughout her career, Lori has served as an elementary classroom teacher, reading specialist, interventionist, professional learning facilitator, literacy coach, and division coordinator.

  • Reading Specialist, Assistant Professor and Program Director, Reading Specialist & TESOL
    Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Regent University

    As a proud product of Virginia Beach Public Schools, Danielle Kreassig has committed her professional work within the K-12 school walls of Virginia Beach City Public Schools. She has worked at all levels of public schools as an Instructional Specialist, K-12 Curriculum Specialist, Secondary Literacy Coach, Reading Specialist, and always as a teacher. She is currently an Associate Professor at Regent University. She is serving as the Program Director for the Reading Specialist and TESOL programs. She graduated with a Doctor of Education from George Washington University, a Master of Education in Reading Specialist from Regent University, and both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University. She also holds her TESOL Certification. Dr. Kreassig's current research focuses on improving the preparation of instructional teachers in the field of Reading. She is particularly interested in identifying and implementing best instructional practices to support struggling readers, especially in secondary classrooms. Her dedication to this area underscores her commitment to fostering literacy and academic success among all students.

  • Visiting Assistant Professor
    Virginia Tech

    Rachelle Kuehl is a Visiting Assistant Professor with the School of Education at Virginia Tech and a 2022 National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research interests include critical literacy, antiracist pedagogies, elementary education, children’s literature, rural education, and literacy. She teaches courses for graduate and undergraduate students in the Literacy Education, Elementary Education, and Foundations of Education programs.

  • Assistant Professor
    University of North Carolina-Pembroke

    Elizabeth served VA public schools (Chesterfield, Fairfax, Henrico, PWCS, and RPS) for 18 years in the roles of classroom teacher, reading specialist, and district literacy specialist. She is pursuing her passion in preparing the next generation of effective teachers of science-based reading instruction as an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.

  • Assistant Professor
    University of Virginia

    Gail Lovette, Ph.D., is an experienced teacher, administrator, and reading specialist. Currently, she is a core faculty member in the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction program at the University of Virginia.

    Since 2010, Dr. Lovette has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at UVA in instruction, assessment, research methods, and reading development and instruction.

    Previously, she was a Title 1 reading specialist in the Charlottesville City Schools (2021-2022), and research faculty and the Director of Turnaround Projects at the University of Virginia.

    Dr. Lovette began her career as an elementary grade teacher and elementary and middle school administrator in Alexandria City Public Schools and Falls Church Public Schools for over a decade.

  • Regional Partner
    Really Great Reading, LLC.

    Joan Macenat Charles serves as a Regional Partner at Really Great Reading Company, where her focus on literacy advocacy and education has made a significant impact. She has been a respected speaker at numerous conferences, notably delivering presentations on the science of reading at the Virginia State Literacy Association conference since 2017.

    As a national board-certified educator and with a career spanning nearly 20 years in education, including roles as a special education teacher, administrator, and national trainer, Joan has consistently championed the cause of improving reading skills. Her primary goal is to address decoding deficits among students, regardless of their age, by providing invaluable support and resources to educators. Joan firmly believes that enhancing teachers' knowledge ultimately leads to tangible improvements in student performance, fostering meaningful change within literacy education.

  • Founder/Principal
    Mason Education Solutions Group

    Bettina Mason is the principal/founder of Mason Education Solutions Group, Co-Founder of AI Education Network (AEN), international speaker and a highly motivated Change Agent! Bettina has experience in AI Consulting, Education (Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education), independent health insurance advisor, and educator by trade with a passion for building ultimate relationships that cultivate and support a culture where ALL people feel valued, respected, engaged, inclusive and empowered. Bettina is an experienced Human Resources leader with over 20 years of experience and expertise in the areas of leadership development/psychological safety, trauma informed care, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging & accessibility. She is a high energy professional with a B.A. in Communications/Public Relations, M.S.Ed./Training and Development, both from James Madison University (JMU), AI Certified Consultant, Society for Human Resources Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Diversity Equity & Inclusion for HR, (Cornell University /certification), holds a Virginia State License in Educational Leadership/PreK-12 and English Teacher-Secondary Education/6-12 grades and Virginia Small Women and Minority (SWAM) certification. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. As a change agent and influencer, Bettina’s motto in life is “Be the Change that You Wish to See in the World!”-Ghandi.

  • Professor of Literacy Education Virginia Tech

    Heidi Anne E. Mesmer, a Professor in Literacy Education at Virginia Tech, began her career as a second-grade teacher and completed doctoral work in 1999. Mesmer examines the impact of texts on readers’ development and is published in Reading Research Quarterly, The Educational Researcher, Elementary School Journal, and Early Childhood Research Quarterly. Her work is characterized by high quality pieces that address problems of practice and have policy implications.

    Mesmer’s work in the early 2000s examined the impact of decodability on beginning readers, informing a heated national debate. This work expanded to address the full range of textual scaffolds for beginners (e.g., word, sentence, and discourse levels) and culminated in a model of early grades text. A second line of work, motivated by the K-3 text difficulty increases in the Common Core, empirically tested increases on readers and challenged the evidence for claims. Her recent work has examined technical limitations of readability formulas and the nature of vocabulary in texts.

    Mesmer has been the principal investigator for eight grants aimed at improving K-5 reading instruction, and her work has been supported by the “Spencer Foundation/AERA/IES.” Her thought leadership has impacted K-5 educators through dozens of blogs, op-eds and six books, including, Big Words for Young Readers: Teaching Kids in K-5 to Decode—and Understand—Words with Multiple Syllables and Morphemes (Scholastic). Mesmer’s podcasts and webinars have been downloaded and/or viewed by thousands of educators. She regularly delivers keynotes to schools, state departments of education, non-profits, and educational companies.

  • Literacy Specialist
    Roanoke City Public Schools

    Jacqueline Mitchell discovered her love for teaching in Vermont at the educational program Farms for City Kids. This was a unique educational program combining classroom studies with firsthand farming experience to give urban kids an understanding of how vital academics are to everyday lives. She moved to Virginia, where she received her Virginia license as a Secondary Education English Teacher for grades 6-12 and began teaching Middle School English at Forest Park Academy in Roanoke City, Virginia. She has been a Middle School English teacher for Roanoke City Public Schools for 17 years. She recently received her Master's in the Science of Reading and is now a Middle School Reading Specialist at James Madison Middle School. Jacqueline loves gaining new knowledge of the world and its cultures and is an avid traveler. Recently, she received her Scuba Diving license and went diving in the coral reefs of Roatan, Honduras and has her next diving trip planned to Bonaire, an island off the coast of Venezuela.

  • Instructional Technology Facilitator
    Loudoun County Public Schools (Rock Ridge High School)

    Sarah Putnam is in her 17th year of education and 5th year in LCPS. Currently, she is the Instructional Technology Facilitator at Rock Ridge High School. This position provides specific targeted support, professional learning and coaching related to instructional technology. She works with all teachers to support quality education and seamless integration of instructional technology. Previously, she held a similar position in another county in the state. She began her career as an Earth Science teacher.

  • Middle School Reading Interventionist in Giles County Public Schools
    Radford University

    Crystal Ramos-McCall has taught English Language Arts in Virginia for 23 years. She currently works as the Middle School Reading Interventionist in Giles County Public Schools.

  • Faculty Director of Educator Preparation
    Past-President and current Journal Editor
    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Joan A. Rhodes, Associate Professor and Faculty Director of Educator Preparation, is a member of the Virginia Commonwealth University graduate faculty. Rhodes teaches courses in reading intervention, instructional theory and writing. She led eleven study abroad programs providing hands-on field experiences for students. Rhodes also served as the principal investigator on grant-funded projects totaling over $9.7M. Her current research interests focus on instructional intervention in international literacy clinics, technology integration and human trafficking prevention.

  • Secondary English Teacher
    Roanoke City Public Schools

    Emily Rizzetta is a middle school English teacher in Roanoke, Virginia. Before teaching in Roanoke, she taught internationally. She currently teaches 6th grade English and co-leads the Creative Writing Club at her middle school.

  • Associate Professor
    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Dr. Valerie J. Robnolt is an associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University and serves as the coordinator of the Reading and TESOL programs. She teaches pre-service and in-service teachers methods of teaching literacy and language arts. She was President of the Virginia State Reading Association in 2012-13 and was the President of the VCU Faculty Senate in 2021-2023. Dr. Robnolt has 30 years of teaching experience as an elementary classroom teacher, reading specialist, literacy coordinator, and college professor.

  • USA Sales & Implementation Director, Letterland USA

    Cat Rutledge has spent the past 35 years teaching, training, tutoring, mentoring, and helping schools and districts across the country select and implement programs that make a difference in student outcomes. Cat has been instrumental in the design and development of the new Letterland K-2 curriculum and its alignment with the science of reading. She is passionate about early literacy instruction and is excited to see how the research regarding the science of reading is impacting classroom practice.

  • Reading Specialist
    Roanoke County Public Schools

    Christine “Tia” Scarpinato has worked in the field of education for nearly 30 years. Except for a blessedly brief stint as an AP and principal, those years have all been spent in the area of literacy. She has taught reading and English to students from kindergarten to college, coached teachers and administrators, and worked at the school, district, and state levels. She's currently a reading specialist for Roanoke County Public Schools and president of the VSLA Roanoke Valley Chapter. Her hobbies include gardening and working with rescue dogs.

  • Reading Specialist
    Loudoun County Virginia Public Schools

    Michelle has over 25 years of experience as a literacy and language educator, teaching reading, ESL, and Spanish in Virginia. She holds a BA in Spanish from the College of William and Mary, an MA in TESOL from Stony Brook University, and an Ed.S. in Reading Education from the University of Virginia.

    Currently a middle school reading specialist in Loudoun County Public Schools, Michelle has also led professional learning sessions for Newsela and serves as editor of the Greater Washington Chapter newsletter for the Virginia State Literacy Association (VSLA). She is pursuing a doctorate in Literacies, Culture, and Reading at George Mason University, deepening her impact in the field of education and adolescent literacy.

  • Reading Specialist, District Dyslexia Specialist, Roanoke City Public Schools

    Dr. April Small is a passionate educator with over 20 years of experience in the field of literacy instruction. Currently based in Roanoke, VA, she resides with her husband and four daughters. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to evidence-based literacy practices, teacher mentoring, and fostering family engagement in the literacy process. Having taught Kindergarten through 4th grade in both Virginia and Ohio at a variety of public, private and charter schools, April has a wealth of classroom experience. In 2014, she transitioned to Roanoke City Public Schools, where she began teaching 4th grade. For the past eight years, she has served as a Title I Reading Specialist at Preston Park Elementary. In addition to her work in K-12 education, Dr. Small is an adjunct professor and literacy subject matter expert at Liberty University in the Graduate School of Education.

  • Associate Professor
    William & Mary

    Kristin Conradi Smith is an associate professor of reading education at William & Mary. She has taught both pre-service and in-service teachers, on various literacy topics for over a decade at W&M, NC State, and the University of Virginia (where she completed her master's and doctoral degrees in Reading Education). In addition to two co-edited books, she has published over 25 articles on topics such as better understanding students who struggle with reading, text complexity, and reading motivation. Kristin also serves on five editorial review boards.

    Kristin's current research involves examining how texts are used in the elementary classroom. This includes attention to which texts are used (and why) and the contexts and tasks associated with text use in the classroom.

    Kristin's teaching experiences are varied. She has taught kindergarten, second, and fourth grades in Camden, New Jersey and Richmond, Virginia. She also worked as a Title I Reading Coach for grades K-3 in Camden and as a summer school literacy teacher at the middle school level in Charlottesville, Virginia.

  • Director of Outreach/Membership and Professional Development
    Bahamas Literacy Association

    Mrs. Rasjinique Smith has been teaching for fifteen years. She is, first and foremost, a proud mother of three. She is the reading specialist at H. O. Nash Junior High School where she offers research-based instruction to "at risk" students and also heads the Language Arts Department of her school. For her community, she has created a program that caters to the enhancement of students' academic levels and adult enrichment classes. Mrs. Smith is also a founding member of The Bahamas Literacy Association and is an affiliate of the International and Florida Reading Association, of whose conferences she has been a presenter for several years. She holds a master's in Reading and Inclusive Education and is in the process of pursuing her Doctorate in Technology. She also lectures part-time. For Mrs. Smith, excellence is her trademark!

  • Reading Specialist, Roanoke City Public Schools

    Samantha Smusz is a reading specialist in Roanoke City Public Schools with 14 years of experience—11 as a classroom teacher and 3 in her current role. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of working with diverse student populations, customizing instruction to meet the unique needs of each learner. She is just as passionate about helping students build strong reading skills as she is about supporting her colleagues in best practices for literacy instruction. She lives in Botetourt County with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family and learning to crochet.

  • Senior Product Manager
    HMH

    Patricia Starek, M.S.Ed., has been working both in and out of the classroom to support striving learners for nearly 20 years. For the last 12 years, she has worked for Scholastic and now HMH, first as an Implementation Manager for Professional Services and now as a Senior Product Manager for System 44 and Read 180. She has consulted for the Children’s Literacy Initiative in the Newark Public Schools and for All Kinds of Minds in the New York City Public Schools. She taught Middle School Special Education Students in the NYC Public schools, is a certified Orton-Gillinghan Therapist and holds a master’s in special education from Bank Street College of Education. She is also a poet and has performed nationally and internationally. Patricia is obsessed with words and giving students access to them.

  • Regional Literacy Coach
    Virginia Literacy Partnership

    Kacey Sterne (M.Ed.) is a licensed reading specialist with 17 years of experience in education with degrees from Western Washington University, Lamar University, and Radford University. As a former special education teacher, classroom teacher, reading specialist, and division-wide literacy coach, Kacey particularly enjoys learning about how students comprehend text and the impact of high-quality core instruction.

  • Literacy Coordinator & Director of the Reading Specialist Program
    Elmira City School District & Liberty University

    Dr. Jessica Talada serves as the Literacy & Intervention Coordinator at the elementary level in the Elmira City School District in Elmira, New York. She is also the Director of the Reading Specialist Program at Liberty University. Additionally, she is an assistant professor at Elmira College. She teaches graduate courses in literacy and education. She is a twenty-six-year veteran of public education, serving as a classroom teacher and reading specialist in a wide span of grade levels.

  • Teacher/Doctoral Researcher
    University of Virginia

    Stephanie Tatel has over 24 years of K-12 experience, including middle school classroom teacher, K-5 reading specialist, instructional coach, and division-level K-12 literacy coordinator. Last year, she served as an English Language Specialist in Cairo, Egypt, supporting local teachers in revising a primary-level EFL curriculum. She is currently working toward a PhD in Reading at the University of Virginia, adjunct teaching at UVA and collaborating on the development of VALLSS Espanol. Her research interests include implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction for culturally and linguistically diverse learners, literacy coaching, and teacher preparation for effective literacy instruction.

  • Middle School Reading Coach
    Radford University

    Susanna Taylor spent 18 years as a classroom teacher (seventh/eighth grade language arts and fifth grade math), six years as an assistant principal, and an adult education teacher for Virginia Department of Corrections. She is now a middle school reading coach for Wise County Public Schools.

  • Assistant Professor of Reading Education, School of Ed. & Human Development
    University of Virginia

  • Educational Consultant
    JMU Shenandoah Valley Child Development Clinic

    Jared Tschohl has been an Educational Consultant at the Shenandoah Valley Child Development Clinic at James Madison University since 2014. Prior to his current position, he was an elementary special education teacher. He holds Virginia state licensure in Administration/Supervision, English as a Second Language, Special Education General Curriculum, Reading Specialist, and History/Social Sciences. His areas of interest include psycho-educational assessment, literacy assessment, dyslexia, phonemic awareness, and sight words.

  • Clinical Professor of Literacy Education
    William & Mary

    Kathy Williams has been passionate about reading since childhood, recognizing early on the privilege of immersing herself in books. As her love for literature deepened, so did her commitment to promoting literacy. Throughout her educational journey, she was frequently seen with a book in hand, often discussing the joys of reading. A pivotal moment occurred when her high school mythology teacher suggested she consider becoming an English teacher, prompting her to reflect on the possibility of being paid to share her passion for literature while helping others enhance their literacy skills. From that moment, she realized that teaching was her true vocation.

    In 2020, Kathy graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in English Education, eager to foster a love for reading in her students. Her teaching career began in August 2020 at Lucy Addison Middle School, where she taught both sixth and eighth grade. Kathy is dedicated to continuing her work with this age group, driven by her affection for her students and the community she serves.

    An advocate for literacy, Kathy actively discusses its importance within her school and on her personal social media platforms. As a devoted reader and educator, she strives to inspire a love of reading in as many individuals as possible.

  • Upper Elementary Reading Specialist, VSLA

    Tamara Williams is a reading specialist, adjunct professor, and teacher consultant for the Appalachian Writing Project. She holds an advanced degree in reading and a credential in Children’s Literature from the University of Virginia. Tamara also is a National Board-Certified teacher in Early and Middle Childhood reading and is the past President of the Virginia State Literacy Association. She has presented at local, regional, state, and national conferences on reading, writing and teacher agency.

  • Clinical Professor of Literacy Education
    William & Mary

    Tammy Williams serves as a Clinical Instructor of Literacy Education at the William & Mary School of Education. She has her Reading Specialist endorsement and is a National Board Certified Literacy Educator. Tammy instructs in the Literacy Leadership Post-Professional Certificate Program. She also teaches literacy classes to both undergraduate and graduate preservice teachers and serves as a University Supervisor in the OG Scholars program.

    Tammy has had a wide variety of teaching experiences. She has taught in the public school elementary setting for thirty-one years. An army spouse, Tammy has also taught abroad in Japan and Germany, working for the Department of Defense Education Schools. She has worked as a literacy coach and interventionist for over ten years. Tammy was honored as the Williamsburg-James City County Division Teacher of the Year in 2021.

    As a practitioner, Tammy’s interests include bridging the research-to-classroom gap for educators in literacy instruction as well as studying research-based instructional practices for students with Dyslexia. In 2021, she earned her Associate level certification from Orton Gillingham Academy. Tammy enjoys reading research from many bodies of study, including neuroscience, linguistics, psychology, and educational pedagogy, and developing curricula and resources that support students’ success in literacy.

  • National Literacy Director, Dyslexic Advocate and Tutor
    hand2mind

    Keegan Wilson, National Literacy Director for hand2mind and board member of The South Carolina Reading League, launched her career in Spartanburg, SC, after earning a BA in Special Education from Clemson University and an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Converse College. She is certified in LETRS Academy, Orton-Gillingham, and Dyslexia Advocacy through the Dyslexic Training Institute and is currently pursuing an IDA Structured Literacy certification through Cox Campus. With a deep passion for literacy, Keegan has served as a teacher, reading interventionist, and dyslexia specialist, utilizing Orton-Gillingham and Science of Reading strategies to achieve student success. She advocates for multimodal approaches to support all learners, promoting inclusivity and literacy growth.

  • Virginia Regional Literacy Coach
    Virginia Literacy Partnership

    Amy Wolford is currently a Regional Literacy Coach for Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP). Prior to joining the VLP team, she served 17 years in public education as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, reading coach, professional learning facilitator, and consultant.

  • Teacher, Doctoral Student
    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Allison Yandle is a third-grade teacher in Powhatan, Virginia, with 20 years of experience and a background as a reading specialist. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her research interests focus on the current reading wars, with a recent emphasis on investigating the impact of the Virginia Literacy Act.