Board of Directors

	Allison Winters – President Allison has been a nationally certified speech-language pathologist for nearly 25 years. She is the owner of Speech Ability, LLC, a private practice that specializes in evaluating and treating various reading disorders. In 2017 Allison gained certification as a structured literacy teacher through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction and had completed a Master Class through the Auditory Processing Institute of Specialists. Memberships include ASHA, Kansas State Speech-Language and Hearing Association (KSHA), International Guild of Auditory Processing Institute (IGAP), American Academy of Private Practice in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, and the International Dyslexia Association. When not working, Allison enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, baking, and playing with her two dogs, Sassy and Sydney.
	Mary Howard– Vice President Mary Howard is an Instructional Facilitator for the Pauline South Intermediate School in Topeka, Kansas. She is responsible for facilitating continuous improvement in classroom instruction by providing instructional support to teachers by demonstrating the alignment of research-based instruction with curriculum standards and assessment tools. Her role also includes the development and implementation of professional development at the building and district levels. Mary is responsible for providing teachers with an understanding of current research along with how to integrate technology into instruction. Mary is currently a LETRS facilitator for her district and a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. Mary has over 20+ years of experience in the education field as a classroom teacher, interventionist, tutor and literacy coach. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Kansas State University, and later a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas.
	Jennifer Kidd – Secretary Jennifer Kidd has 17 years of experience in elementary education as a general education classroom teacher, special education teacher, literacy instructional coach, literacy interventionist, and math interventionist. Jennifer graduated from Baylor University with BS in Elementary Education with reading specialization. She earned a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of North Texas with certification as an educational diagnostician. Jennifer currently serves as an intervention teacher at Jay Shideler Elementary School in Auburn Washburn USD 437 in Topeka, KS. She teaches multiple students with dyslexia utilizing a Structured Literacy approach. When not teaching, her two young children, husband, extended family, and dog bring much joy to her life.
	Amy Martin – Treasurer
	Patti Haberberger – Board Member Patti Haberberger holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from The University of Missouri – Columbia, a Masters of Arts in Teaching with an Emphasis in Reading from Webster University, and a Dyslexia Therapist Certification from The University of Arkansas. Patti has experience teaching as a general classroom teacher in the St. Louis area. She has been a Reading Specialist for 17 years. This experience includes teaching at the elementary level (kindergarten – fifth grade), as well as at an alternative high school (ninth – twelfth grade). Patti is working towards her CALT (Certification Academic Language Therapist), and is currently teaching at Crestwood Elementary School using a variety of Structured Literacy approaches such as Take Flight, IMSE, Barton, and LETRS. When she is not teaching, her husband Kevin and 4 children – Sam, Joey, Ben and Annie – keep her happy, fulfilled and busy.
	Crystal Woodin – Board Member Crystal Woodin is currently a Kindergarten teacher in a local school district. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology. She is currently working towards her Orton-Gillingham Dyslexia Certification through Brainspring. She received a scholarship from KS/MO IDA as a classroom teacher and it transformed her approach to teaching children how to read. She works to educate teachers about dyslexia and support them as they are supporting students. Dyslexia is a passion for her and she works as a dyslexia advocate for students and support for parents who are on this path with their child. She knows the path well since her own son has dyslexia. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Vernon and they share two sons; Benjamin and Jackson. She enjoys spending time with them, movie nights, travel, baking and football.
	Stephen Schwartz – Board Member Stephen Schwartz, Ed.D. is certified in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Special Reading. He received his doctoral degree from Lindenwood University where he studied the best practices for teaching reading to students that are considered at risk for dyslexia. His experience includes teaching 1st grade and Kindergarten over the past 15 years. Dr. Schwartz was the Valley Park Teacher of the Year in 2012 and a top 6 finalist for the Missouri Teacher of the Year program as well. He has three children and a beautiful wife. His wife, Sara, is also an educator and she teaches remedial reading.
	Colleen Zink – Board Member Colleen Zink has over 20 years of experience in education. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in curriculum and instruction, both earned at the University of Kansas. She taught for 16 years in the general education classroom before completing her reading specialist program at Fort Hays State University. While working for 5 years as the reading specialist, she completed her Orton-Gillingham training through Orton-Gillingham Academy and is now a Fellow-in-Training with the Academy. Currently, Colleen works as the Dyslexia Coordinator for the Blue Valley School District in Overland Park, KS.
	Stacy Nyp – Board Member Stacey Nyp is starting her 15th year in elementary education. Stacey has been a general education classroom teacher, teaching grades K-3rd. At the start of the 2015-2016 school year Stacey transitioned from the general education classroom into a resource classroom. This is where she became familiar with a Structured Literacy approach. Stacey graduated from Washburn University with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She then graduated from Baker University with her Master’s in School Leadership and later pursued a Master’s in High Incidence Special Education from Fort Hays University. This year Stacey has taken on a new role as a special education consulting teacher. She is now able to share her knowledge of dyslexia and Structured Literacy with the teachers she works directly with. When not working, her children’s activities keep her busy. She and her husband are avid Chiefs’ fans who also love to travel, whenever they can squeeze a trip into their busy schedules.
	Emily Ciesielski-Board Member Dr. Emily Ciesielski is an assistant professor at the University of Central Missouri. Her research interests include reading comprehension, spelling, and written language in young children, especially those with executive function difficulties. She has over 25 years of experience as an ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She has worked as a clinician with pre- and elementary- school age children in public schools and in private practice, specializing in language disorders including phonology, morphology, syntax, and vocabulary. Dr. Ciesielski is a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association, Missouri Speech and Hearing Association, the International Dyslexia Association, and a board member of KSMO IDA
	Jeri currently serves as the USD 232 De Soto, KS District Literacy Specialist for grades K-12. Her primary responsibilities are to facilitate Science of Reading professional development, mentor teachers in the implementation of evidence-based practices in their classrooms and co-teach reading intervention at the high school level. Additionally, Jeri is a part-time employee with KSDE as a Teacher Leader Consultant for Dyslexia and Early Literacy, and is a LETRS Professional Literacy Consultant for USD 232. Jeri has 28 years of experience in public school as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and administrator. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters of Teaching and Leadership at the University of Kansas. Additionally she earned a K-12 Reading Specialist endorsement and ESOL certification.
	Lisa Howell-Board Member Lisa is an Education Advocate and Family Resource Specialist for Families Together Inc., Kansas’ federally designated Parent Training & Information Center and Family-to Family Health Information Center. Through Families Together, Lisa provides individualized assistance and training to support the academic, behavioral, social, emotional and mental well being of children, youth and families. Lisa has also found a passion in the Education Advocate program where she trains, appoints, and oversees advocates to be special education decision makers for eligible children. She has a high school aged son who has Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and an auditory processing disorder. Learning about and advocating for the challenges that he faces every day has led Lisa to encourage, educate and empower families across Kansas to effectively advocate for their own children.
	Emily Henley-Board Member Emily Henley is moving from the Wichita School district to the Haysville School district to become a Middle School Reading teacher but has taught K-2 for the past twelve years. She has a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Friends University and is currently working on a Masters of Arts in the Science of Reading from Mount St. Joseph University in Ohio. After completing her LETRS training, Emily has shared her love for the science of reading to her friends and co-workers. When she is not in the classroom, she is a wife and a mom of two, and a Core Staff Member for Starwoods camp with the Girl Scouts.
	Jeana Wise-Board Member Jeana has been an educator since 2002 serving in various roles in the elementary setting. She has taught first-grade, Title Reading groups, has been a K-4 Literacy Coach, Reading Specialist serving students in grades K-2, and most recently helps students and teachers as a PreK-2 Instructional Coach. Jeana is certified in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, K-12 Special Education and has extensive training in Dyslexia and Orton-Gillingham through IMSE, Dyslexia Training Institute, and LETRS. She also tutors after school hours and is pursuing her Dyslexia Advocacy Certification this fall. Her passion is helping younger students learn to read and write. Jeana received Educator of the Year in her school district in 2017-2018. Her role as an Instructional Coach helps build the capacity and professional learning of all teachers, and she works very closely with teachers within their first three years in the classroom and is helping make a shift in literacy instruction within her district. While literacy is important to her, she is also trained in Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and spends time with curriculum and instructional design. Jeana is also her district Professional Development Chair working closely with her teachers and central office to improve the learning of all students. When Jeana is not in the classroom, she spends time with her family on their farm. They have row crops, chickens, four dogs, and barn cats. She has been a baseball mom for years and with her youngest son having recently graduated, she plans to spend more time studying dyslexia. ,In the summer she has a garden and spends time canning the harvest to enjoy in the winter. Jeana also enjoys reading, cooking, camping, swimming, biking, and hiking.
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