Keys to Literacy’s first annual national writing conference

Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan is President of the Valley Speech Language and Learning Center in Brownsville, Texas and a research associate with the Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation and Statistics at the University of Houston. Her research interests include the development of language and literacy skills among Spanish-and English speaking students. She has also worked with teams of researchers designing assessments and interventions for this diverse population of students. Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan serves as the Chairperson of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities, and is a Past-Vice- Chairperson of the International Dyslexia Association. Her book entitled: Literacy Foundations for English learners: A Comprehensive Guide to Evidence-Based Instruction was published to help educators implement Structured Literacy among English learners.

A national and international presenter, Dr. Charles Haynes is Professor Emeritus at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, where he lectures researches reading and writing interventions as well as literacy development in bilingual and bi-dialectal students. A pioneer of language-based curricula for children with dyslexia and expressive language impairments, Dr. Haynes has conducted more than $3,000,000 of studies examining cognitive and linguistic assessments and interventions in English, Japanese, Arabic, and Portuguese.  He is Senior Advisor to the International Dyslexia Association’s (IDA) Global Partners Committee, and, in 2014, received the Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award from the IDA for his contributions to the field of dyslexia. Dr. Haynes co-authored the highly-rated “From Talking to Writing” in 2018 and helps school systems improve students’ reading and writing skills.

Dr. Stephanie Stollar is the founder of Stephanie Stollar Consulting LLC and the creator of The Reading Science Academy. Dr. Stollar is a part-time assistant professor in the reading science program at Mount St. Joseph University, and a founding member of a national alliance for supporting reading science in higher education. As a board member for the Innovations in Education Consortium, she collaboratively plans the annual MTSS Innovations in Education Conference.  She has provided professional development, conducted research and published in the areas of assessment, early intervention, and collaborative problem solving. She is passionate about improving educator knowledge and aligning school systems to prevent reading failure.

Shauna holds the position of Vice President, Senior Director of Professional Development and is a member of the senior management team. Beginning in 2007 with Keys to Literacy, Shauna spent 15 years as a trainer and account manager. Shauna began her career in education as a classroom teacher at both the elementary and secondary levels before becoming a literacy interventionist. She received an M.Ed. in Reading Curriculum Development and Instruction from Boston College and a B.S. in Education from Framingham State College. Shauna has collaborated with curriculum coordinators, administrators, and special educators to design and implement various research-based curriculum initiatives at both a school-wide and district-wide level. Shauna is a frequent presenter at national literacy conferences.

Ivetha is a Trainer with Keys to Literacy and began her career as a public school educator initially in elementary education, and after a short time transitioned over to middle school where she taught intensive reading and coached teachers around improving their reading instructional practices. In this role, she delivered professional development that incorporated the latest research-based literacy content. Ivetha then moved into the education private sector where she worked as a literacy coach supporting and transforming failing schools. Through this work, she engaged with all levels of school district leadership and assisted teachers with improving student academic achievement. Ivetha received her B.S. in Elementary Education from St. Petersburg College, her M.A. in Reading Education from the University of South Florida, and her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix.

Melisa serves as the Head of Product and Content Integration for Keys to Literacy, having initially joined the team as a National Consultant/Trainer. She has extensive experience working with teachers and students in diverse educational settings, including roles as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, and supervisor for practicum students. Melisa also worked as a reading specialist at the Boston University Donald Durrell Reading & Writing Clinic and served as an Early Grades Literacy Consultant for state-funded grants. She holds a B.A. in Elementary and Special Education from Providence College, a Master’s in Reading Education from Boston University, and a C.A.G.S. in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Boston University/Wheelock College of Education. Outside of her professional pursuits, Melisa enjoys reading children’s books and can often be found soaking in the evening glow at the beach or taking nature walks with her husband, three children, and their beloved Golden Retriever.

Sonia Cabell, Ph.D., is an associate professor of reading education in the School of Teacher Education and the Florida Center for Reading Research at Florida State University. Before receiving her Ph.D. at the University of Virginia, she worked as a second grade teacher and literacy coach. Dr. Cabell’s research focuses on early literacy instruction, with a particular interest in the prevention of reading difficulties. She has authored over 70 publications, including research articles, books, book chapters, and early childhood language and literacy curricula. She has served as Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator on federally funded research projects totaling approximately $10 million dollars. Dr. Cabell has been an advisor or consultant for a variety of national organizations and state departments of education.

Lisa holds the position of Vice President, Senior Director of Account Management and is a member of the senior management team. Beginning in 2011 with Keys to Literacy, Lisa spent eight years as a trainer and three years as Senior Director of Account Management. An experienced educator with a passion for literacy and learning, she began teaching in 1995 at the Landmark School, a school renowned for the work they do with children and adolescents with language-based learning disabilities. Throughout her career in education, Lisa enjoyed being a classroom teacher, a special educator, and a reading specialist in both urban and suburban schools. As a Keys trainer, she was passionate about her work with students, teachers, and administrators from schools across the United States. In her current role, Lisa appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with district and school leadership to customize professional development plans that bring consistent literacy routines to students across all grade levels and subject areas. Lisa is a frequent presenter at literacy conferences.

Dr. Mitchell Brookins is an educational consultant with 18 years of professional experience, including teaching, instructional coaching, school administrator, district leader, consultant, and educational thought leader in K-12.  Dr. Brookins’ instructional leadership has yielded the following results: 43% to 72% student attainment on DIBELS, and school letter grades improved from a “D” to a “C” at ReNEW Cultural Arts Academy and Dwight Eisenhower.  Mitchell’s professional engagements include the following: National Board Professional Teaching Standards, LETRS, UnboundEd, AIM Institute, New Schools for New Orleans, the Reading League’s Board of Directors, and the Managing Director of the Science of Reading Network with Leading Educators.

Joan Sedita is the founder of Keys to Literacy and lead author of our professional development routines.  For over 40 years, Joan has been on a mission to help teachers, schools, and districts improve student literacy skills, especially students who struggle with reading and writing. Together with the support of the Keys to Literacy staff, she has built an organization that is recognized as a leader in literacy professional development.