Faculty, Advisory Board, and Board of Directors 2006-2007

Faculty and Staff

Advisory Board

Directors

Faculty

The composition of the school's faculty mirrors its mission - teaching children to cope with dyslexia by improving their language skills while exposing them to success in a broad range of academic areas. Ours is a faculty of breadth, experience, and commitment. It consists of academic language therapists; math, science, language arts and social studies teachers; artists; a woodworker and a computer specialist.

Pat Sekel, Ph.D., CALT QI

is our Executive Director. With over 30 years experience in public school and private experience as a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor, special educator, and speech pathologist, dyslexia is her passion. Dr. Sekel has served in several capacities at the national level of the International Dyslexia Association and is on the Board of the Council of Educators for Students with Disabilities. Her Ph.D. in Language and Literacy [Reading] was completed at The University of Texas at Austin, with her dissertation investigating phonemic awareness knowledge and skills of first-grade teachers.

Alison Barnwell

is our first/second grade teacher. She received her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Art from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Alison is fully certified by the State of Texas for classroom teaching grades 1-8, as well as Art grades 1-8. Previously, she taught first grade in Crockett, Texas, and is enjoying her fourth year at Rawson-Saunders.

Beth Berman

is our music teacher. She earned a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Nazareth College and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Fredonia State University. She holds a Level III Orff certification, and is co-author of See Kids Listen: Ten Lessons to Activate Minds. Beth comes to Rawson-Saunders with 20 years teaching experience.

Susan Bevier

is our librarian and Technology Coordinator. She facilitates teaching keyboarding and computer literacy skills, and leads the after-school Robotics program. She has a degree in computer science from Northern Illinois University. Susan has experience in the high tech field, and has developed educational software. Prior to coming to Rawson-Saunders, Susan worked at the City of Austin public library, and taught keyboarding and computer skills to both children and adults.

Tammy Black

is a Dyslexia Specialist. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. She taught special education for Austin Independent School District for eight years before coming to Rawson-Saunders. This is her third year at Rawson-Saunders.

Brooke Bucek Chudej

is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Science and Disorders. Brooke has trained at Southern Methodist University. She has taken American Sign Language/Interpreting courses through Austin Community College and is currently working on her Master's in Education and Teaching Certificate from Texas State University. This is her fourth year at Rawson-Saunders.

Jane Buergner

is a Dyslexia Specialist. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communication from the University of Texas. This is her first year at Rawson-Saunders.

Barbara Calaway

is a Dyslexia Specialist new to Rawson-Saunders this year. She is happy to be here because although she taught language arts and reading for many years, she always knew that she wanted to help children with dyslexia. Her B.A. in English/Journalism, Teaching Certificate, and M.Ed. are all from University of Texas at Austin. Besides children, books, and poetry, she loves to sing with a plunky guitar, camp, and swim.

Chere Chancey

is the Art and Piano teacher at Rawson-Saunders School, and co-oordinator of the Village Curriculum. She has earned Texas K-12 Certification and a B.F.A degree in Visual Arts Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. Artistic emphases include Ceramics (thrown vessels), and Sumi-e (Japanese/Chinese Ink Brush Painting). Chere is currently enjoying her fourth year at Rawson-Saunders.

Sadie Corrie

is a fifth grade teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. Sadie has worked with students as a tutor and mentor both in the United States and in England. This is her second year at Rawson-Saunders.

Andrew Costigan

teaches Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College in English Literature with a correlate in Religious Studies, and trained in the Orton-Gillingham teaching methodology. Andrew has taught students with dyslexia and other learning differences at schools in Austin and New York. This is Andrew's third year at Rawson-Saunders.

Libbie Leach Dallas

is a Dyslexia Specialist. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas. This is her first year teaching at Rawson-Saunders, although she has been actively involved at the school as a parent for many years. Before coming to Rawson-Saunders, she tutored students privately.

Janine DeLong Luz

is a Dyslexia Specialist. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Texas, and is now working on her Masters of Reading at Stephen F. Austin University. This is her second year at Rawson-Saunders.

Michael Demerath

is our Middle School math teacher. In the summer of 2007, Mike moved to Austin from St. Louis, Missouri. For the previous three years, he taught students with learning disabilities. In May 2007, Mike received his Masters of Special Education from the University of Missouri. He enjoys traveling and has lived in Australia for a year and a half.

Patricia Dietrick

teaches fifth grade. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Texas, and a Texas Teacher Certificate for Elementary General and Physical Education. She also has completed courses in the Basic Language Skills and holds a Wilson Reading System Level I Certification. Patricia is currently working on her practicum for Level II Wilson Certification. Prior to teaching at Rawson-Saunders, she taught 9 years in Round Rock ISD. Patricia enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. She loves all the arts, especially dance and theatre.

Nancy Donley

holds a B.A. from Quincy College and an M.S. in Special Education from SUNY, N.Y. She has been a special education teacher in the Round Rock schools since 1994. Nancy is a Certified Academic Language Therapist trained in several linguistic programs, including Alphabetic Phonics, Lindamood Bell and Project Read. She is also our After-School Events Coordinator. Nancy is involved in Destination Imagination and Odyssey of the Mind programs in Texas, and leads D.I. teams at Rawson-Saunders.

Holly Fooshee

teaches second/third grade. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas, and holds a Texas teaching certification, Early Childhood through Fourth. She has completed the Introductory Course of Basic Language Skills and is a Dyslexia Specialist.

Sarah Fulcher

teaches second grade. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development at the University of Texas at Austin and holds a Texas certification for Early Childhood through Fourth Grade. Before coming to Rawson-Saunders, she taught second grade at Kiev Christian Academy in Kiev, Ukraine.

Gloria Garrison

is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She came to the U.S. from Mexico six years ago. In Mexico, she earned two Bachelor's degrees, one in Psychology from the Universidad de Monterrey and another in Education from Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes. Gloria has seven years of experience in Mexico working with children with special needs in education and managing the psychological and educational activities for a clinic. Gloria worked for two years as a Dyslexia Specialist in Austin focusing on her students' reading, spelling, writing, and language skills. This is her third year working at Rawson Saunders.

Margie Gordon

is a Dyslexia Specialist. Margie comes to Rawson-Saunders School after retiring from public education after 31 years of service. She graduated from the University of Utah, has completed 30+ hours of post-graduate work, and is certified as a Master Reading Teacher, ESL, Regular Education, and Special Education. In 2001, she held the distinct honor of being selected as the Teacher of the Year from her campus, Smith Elementary School; her district, Del Valle ISD; Region VIII, and as one of three finalists for Texas State Teacher of the Year. When Margie isn’t working on completing her certification as an Academic Language Therapist, she enjoys being with her husband of 35 years and her pets, visiting with friends, and participating in many outdoors activities.

Patricia Guy

is our Office Manager.

Drenda Haddock, M.Ed., CALT-QI,

our Director of Professional Development and Outreach. She has over 37 years in public school and private experience serving as a teacher, Academic Language Therapist, and administrator. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and from the University of Texas at Austin with a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. Drenda has had a special interest in reading and dyslexia for over 25 years and is a mother of a dyslexic son.

Lynn Hagood, M.Ed, Educational Diagnostician,

is our Director of Admissions and Evaluation. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in early childhood. Currently, she holds a Master’s degree from Texas State University in Special Education with an Educational Diagnostician certification. Prior to Rawson-Saunders, Lynn taught first grade for three years in the Round Rock ISD. She has worked for almost four years as a Student Academic Language Therapist.

Lynn Hoover, M.Ed., CALT-QI,

is our Assistant Director and Director of Curriculum. She has over 25 years experience as a special educator. Lynn completed her M.Ed. in Learning Disabilities at the University of Texas. She completed Neuhaus Education Center’s Therapist Certification Program and is a Qualified Instructor. Lynn has worked as a reading consultant in special education for Austin ISD and has been involved in teacher training in the Austin Area for over 12 years.

Dane Johnson

is our shop teacher and co-Coordinator of the Village curriculum. Dane has been a stay-at-home father, and has been very active volunteering his time in service to children and the dyslexic community. His activities include work with elementary, middle, and high schools, serving as a room parent and PTA officer. He manned the Orton Dyslexia Society phone helpline and served on its board for four years. He has been active in Boy Scouting for eight years and is currently Committee Chair of Troop 2001.

Emily Kopecky

is a fourth grade classroom teacher. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood from Texas A&M University. She holds Texas teaching certification in elementary grades pre-K to 6th, and has passed the English as a Second Language ExCet exam. She has completed the Introductory Course of Basic Language Skills and is a Student Academic Language Therapist. Before coming to Rawson-Saunders, Emily taught in Spring Branch ISD in Houston.

Cari Lasley

is a fourth grade teacher. She received her Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Mass Communication from the University of Florida. After working in industry coordinating events and training, she returned to school, earning certification in teaching science. This is her second year at Rawson-Saunders.

Meggan Markey

is a fourth grade classroom teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Sociology, from California State University of San Marcos. Meggan was an educator in California for three years specializing in teaching English Language Development along with Literacy Workshop classes. After moving to Austin, Meggan taught and coordinated the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) middle school program in the Austin Independent School District. Meggan came to Rawson-Saunders last spring as our full-time substitute teacher, and worked with the Soaring Eagles program this past summer. Meggan has completed level one of Basic Language Skills and is a Dyslexia Specialist.

Elizabeth Overholser

graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Education Curriculum and Instruction. She holds Texas Teacher Certification in Elementary grades. She has taught in the Snook, Del Valle, and Bastrop school districts. Elizabeth is the Middle School science teacher at Rawson-Saunders.

Phyllis Patrick

heads the Academic Language Therapy Program. She trained in Alphabetic Phonics at the Neuhaus Education Center, completing advanced training in 1996. A Certified Language Therapist, she received her M.F.A. in photography from Ohio University and her B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Austin. This is her eleventh year at Rawson-Saunders.

Reuben Rim

teaches Art and Physical Education. He grew up and studied in New York City, and graduated with an Aassociate of Art degree in Advertising Design and a Bachelors of Fine Art in Toy Design, both with cum laude honors. While the head designer at a Houston toy company, Ruben was honored with "Top 40 Toys of 2002" recognition from Parenting Magazine. He has worked with children of various ages and backgrounds for several years, including students with learning disabilities. Other work experience includes Mad Science, camp activities specialist, and Austin PARD's own Totally Cool Totally Art program. Ruben expects to be active in the after-school program as well as working towards certification in art.

Melissa Rodriguez

is a Dyslexia Specialist. She earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas State University. Before coming to Rawson-Saunders, she tutored students at Scottish Rite Learning Center.

Perry Stokes

is a third grade classroom teacher. He is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and is a Qualified Instructor in Training. Perry presents workshops in Syllabication, Grammar, Morphology, and Etymology for our Professional Development Training Center. Perry holds a Texas Teacher Certification in Generic Special Education. He has taught in the Round Rock, Austin, and Del Valle school districts. Perry has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas, and is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Texas State University.

Nancy Traccarella

is our Director of Development. She has over 17 years of experience as an education administrator, with expertise in the areas of development and program management. Nancy has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Virginia Tech and a M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. She is a member of the Board of Directors at Capitol School of Austin. Before coming to Rawson-Saunders, she was Director of Development at Good Shepherd Episcopal School.

Advisory Council

The Rawson-Saunders Advisory Council is a volunteer board composed of local and national authorities in the areas of education, business, and community leadership. The Council provides expertise, guidance, and support for our program.

We are proud to have have these distinguished professionals serve on our Advisory Board:

Marilyn J. Adams, Ph.D.

is author of Beginning to read: Thinking and learning about print, Phonemic Awareness in Young Children, and Literacy Advisor formerly for PBS's Sesame Street and now for Between the Lions. Her current research is focused on uses of automatic speech recognition as an instructional resource for providing one-on-one reading and comprehension support and also as a research tool for understanding reading patterns as a function of reading ability and text characteristics. Dr. Adams is currently a Visiting Professor in the Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences Department at Brown University and Chief Scientist for Soliloquy Learning. She holds a Ph.D. from Brown University in cognitive and developmental psychology.

Joyce Bilgrave

Co-founded Jemicy School, a nationally recognized school for dyslexics in Baltimore, and led the effort to found Rawson-Saunders School. She now runs Durango Mountain Camp, a summer camp for dyslexics, which she began in Durango, Colorado.

Judith Birsh, Ed.D.

received her undergraduate degree from Vassar College, and her masters degree and doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. She was founder and director of the Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills program from 1985 until 2000 at Teachers College, Columbia University, in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, Program in Learning Disabilities. Her primary interests are the teaching of literacy skills and the preparation of teachers who work with students with dyslexia. She is a consultant to public and private schools as well as a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor. She recently served for three years as the President of the New York Branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

Dr. Birsh is the editor of both the first and second editions of Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills (2005) and co-author of Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills Activity Book (2005) with Suzanne Carreker. She was educational consultant on two videotape series for teachers and parents for Vineyard Video Productions, Teaching the Learning Disabled: Study Skills and Learning Strategies (1991) and Learning Disabilities/Learning Abilities, (1997). She was the 1995 recipient of New York Branch of the International Dyslexia Association award for achievement in the field of dyslexia education.

Suzanne Carreker, CALT

Director of Program Development at the Neuhaus Education Center and staff member of Neuhaus Education Center since 1987, Certified Academic Language Therapist, Qualified Instructor, Special Educator. Author, Basic Language Skills, Language Enrichment, Scientific Spelling, Multisensory Grammar and Writing Composition, Reading Readiness and Word Detective, textbook chapters, and journal articles. Past President of the Houston Branch of The International Dyslexia Association, Board member of Academic Language Therapy Association Center Council, current Board member of Academic Language Therapy Association.

Pam Craig, CALT

received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Texas Christian University. She taught in the public school setting for five years before she began her family. She was involved in a host of volunteer organizations until 1987 when she developed the after-school care and enrichment program at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, which she has directed for nineteen years. In 1991, she became a Certified Academic Language Therapist, working privately with students for twelve years. Beginning in 2003, she left her private practice to become the part-time Learning Specialist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, moving to full time in the fall of 2006. Also in 2003, a group of CALTs gathered and decided to form a support organization for therapists in and around Austin, and she was asked to be the first president of the Austin Area Chapter of the Academic Language Therapy Association. Pam was on the Founding Committee of Rawson-Saunders School and served two terms on the school’s first Board of Directors.

Charles Haynes, Ph.D.,

is an Associate Professor and Clinical Supervisor in the Graduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. He served as a teacher, Research Coordinator and Director of Speech-Language Services at the Landmark School from 1979-1992, where he and colleagues pioneered a language-based curriculum for children with expressive language impairments and dyslexia. At the Institute of Health Professions, Dr. Haynes and colleague Dr. Pamela Hook formulated the first graduate program in the U.S. to offer dual teacher certification in both Speech-Language and in Reading with a unitary curriculum. He lectures nationally and internationally, and has given keynote or invited lectures in Japan, Israel, Kuwait, Cyprus, Brazil, Czech Republic, and Canada. He has served on the Board of Directors of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) since 1997, and is on the Advisory Boards of the Japan Dyslexia Research Association and the Center for Applied Special Technology. His practical and research interests include: early detection and intervention for dyslexia, cross-linguistic comparisons of children with reading disabilities, and methods for teaching oral and written expression.

Marcia Henry, Ph.D.,

has 44 years of experience in the field of reading and dyslexia, working as a teacher, diagnostician, tutor, and professor. A past President of the International Dyslexia Association and former Director of the Center for Educational Research on Dyslexia at San Jose University, Dr. Henry speaks frequently at conferences, and writes for and serves on the editorial boards of several professional journals. In 2000, The International Dyslexia Association awarded Dr. Henry the Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award. She has a doctorate from Stanford University in educational psychology.

R. Malatesha (Malt) Joshi, Ph.D.,

is a professor of literacy education at Texas A&M University, where he teaches and conducts research relating to language and literacy, assessment and intervention in reading and spelling problems. He is the editor of ‘Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal’ which is ranked as one of the top ten journals in education and educational research. He also serves on the editorial boards of five other journals. He has received funding from NATO to conduct institutes on literacy and cognition during the last twenty years, the most recent one in Italy in 2001. He is the co-author/co-editor of over a dozen volumes; the most recent one is the ‘Handbook of Orthography and Literacy’ published by Lawrence Erlbaum. His papers have appeared in Journal of Learning Disabilities, Journal of Attention Disorders, Neuropsychologia, School Psychology Review, and Psychological Reports. He has presented or lectured in different countries including Russia, UK, Sweden, Norway, France, Portugal, Italy, China, Singapore, Spain, and Qatar. He has been on the board of directors of The International Dyslexia Association since 2001 and the secretary of the same since 2003.

Louisa Moats, Ed.D.,

is the Director of Professional Development and Research Institute with Sopris West Educational Services. Dr. Moats specializes in the implementation of schoolwide interventions for improving literacy. She directed the NICHD Early Reading Initiative. She is the author of many books, chapters, and articles including Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers, Parenting a Struggling Reader, and LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling). Currently she holds a position on The International Dyslexia Association board and chairs the Publication Committee.

Susan Patteson, M.Ed., CALT,

is the Region 13 Education Service Center Dyslexia Specialist providing support in all areas of dyslexia services to public and charter schools. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and a Certified Wilson Reading System Lead Trainer. She has taught in public schools and is certified the areas of Early Childhood, English as a Second Language, Elementary Education, Secondary Reading, Special Education, and as a Master Reading Teacher.

Kathy Synatschk, Ph.D., LPC,

received her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin. She has been the Director of Counseling for the Austin Independent School District, a high school counselor, a school social worker, a special education teacher, and a counselor educator. She trains and consults on counseling issues at the local, state, national, and international levels. She is currently adjunct professor at Texas State University and the Executive Editor at PRO-ED, Inc.

Board of Directors

Vess Johnson, Chair,

holds degrees in Mathematics/Electrical Engineering, Philosophy and Computer Science from Mississippi State University. He has served as President & CEO of 3 successful startup companies in electronic design automation. Vess currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Bagley School of Engineering and is serving his second term on the Computer Science Advisory Board at MSU. He served on the Technical Advisory Board for the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance, a joint project between Carnegie Mellon and Lehigh University. He has presented numerous lectures at Carnegie Mellon, Mississippi State and The University of Texas at Austin on business strategies for high-tech startup companies. He was a lecturer in Computer Science at MSU and taught Philosophy at the University of Miami.

L.B."Buddy" Hagman, Vice Chair,

graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree. He has spent the last twenty-nine years in the retail automotive business. Buddy is currently in his fifteenth year as General Manager of Covert Ford Inc, has served on numerous professional committees and boards including the Ford Dealer Council, and presently is a member of the Board of Directors of the Austin Automobile Dealers Association. He is the father of two Rawson-Saunders students.

Maggie Tate, Secretary,

received a Plan II degree with a concentration in English from The University of Texas at Austin and also holds a Texas elementary teaching certificate. She is a mother of two dyslexic children, and has been a passionate volunteer for literacy and education for the past 10 years, with roles ranging from classroom volunteer all the way to parent association president. She served on the Leander ISD boundary committe, Rawson-Saunders parent association and worked as a Habitat for Humanity Liason. She also works as a volunteer at Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Scott Yore, Treasurer,

is President and CEO of Yore Real Estate Firm, 565 Development, Benchmark Mortgage, and Acquistate Realty group bringing 19 years of management experience to the group of companies. Yore Real Estate firm is the holding company for 565 Development which is a residential developer and contractor, Benchmark which is a residential mortgage lending firm, and Acquistate which is a residential real estate brokerage. Prior to founding the companies, Scott held chief financial officer positions with high-growth, venture-backed companies, held senior financial positions, and consulted with many companies in Austin helping work out strategic financial and capital raising plans. Prior to his industry experience, Scott was a CPA with Ernst & Young for 10 years in Austin and the Silicon Valley.

In addition to Rawson-Saunders School, he is on the board of the Texas Wine and Food Foundation. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a BS degree in Finance and Accounting.

Sam Zabenah, Legal Counsel

practices corporate and securities law, primarily in the context of entrepreneurial and emerging growth companies at DLA Piper. In his practice, he advises clients regarding general corporate matters and handles various capital raising and liquidity event transactions, including private and public equity financing and mergers and acquisitions. In addition, he advises clients with respect to corporate governance and periodic reporting requirements of publicly held companies.

Mark Emmons

Jill George

is currently a teacher in the Talented and Gifted program for the Round Rock Independent Schools. An educator for 29 years, she has a Masters in Learning Disabilities with a concentration in Reading from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. She has taught various grade levels K-8 in regular education classes, resource classes for the learning disabled, reading classes, and GT classes. She and her husband are currently looking at colleges with soccer programs for their youngest son, Mark. The older two children have graduated college and are employed in Austin and Grand Island, New York.

Lucy Mockford

Amanda Nitschke, M.S. CCC-SLP,

is a certified speech-language pathologist. The majority of her experience has consisted of providing services to preschool and school age children with language and learning differences in both the clinical an academic setting. Currently Amanda works for Manor ISD and does some private practice independently. Prior to working in Manor ISD, she spent over a year at KidVentures, a pediatric clinic that provides speech-language and occupational therapy. Amanda spent several summers and two school years teaching at Capitol School of Austin where she enjoyed integrating academics and speech-language pathology. Before that, she worked at a various elementary schools in Round Rock ISD and was involved in the Play Based Assessment Team. Amanda has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Southwest Texas State University. She has received training in the Lindamood-Bell techniques and has also attended a variety of workshops on best practices in speech and language pathology. Amanda was also a volunteer coach for the TOPS soccer program and enjoys being active in and around Austin.