Board Members
For over four decades, Everyone Reading Illinois has endeavored to improve the lives of those who struggle with dyslexia and related learning disabilities.
Dedicated volunteers serve on Everyone Reading Illinois’ Board of Directors, bringing a wealth of background knowledge and passion to our mission. Board members are elected by Everyone Reading Illinois’ membership and contribute their time and talents to ardently support children and adults with dyslexia and related learning challenges, along with their teachers and families.
In addition to planning our conferences and workshops, Everyone Reading Illinois Board members host educational panel discussions about dyslexia and offer a simulation experience that imitates the frustration often experience by those who learn differently. They also give presentations to community groups, provide professional development training to schools, maintain an extensive referral list of professional tutors and diagnosticians, advocate for legislative change, and plan the fundraising efforts needed to support these initiatives.
To further its mission, Board members willingly share their expertise and work closely with other organizations in Illinois and throughout the country. In collaboration with the Illinois School Board of Education, Everyone Reading Illinois Board members have participated on the Reading Instruction Advisory Group (RIAG) and contributed to the 2015 & 2023 Illinois Dyslexia Handbook (as revised), the related Dyslexia Toolkit, and the 2024 Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan.
Board of Directors – Executive Members
Our President
Tom Parton
Tom is a Speech Language Pathologist in Normal, Illinois. Tom has presented on autism and language/literacy topics at local, state, and national conferences. Tom is on ERI’s Legislative and Spring Conference Committees. Tom participated in the ISBE Reading Instruction Advisory Group and Teachers of Reading Certification task forces. He is a member of the Illinois State Board of Education Dyslexia Educator and Parent Handbook. He is past-president of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Our Past President
Dr. Jessica Douglas
Jessica has served on the board for 8 years and is currently chair of the fall conference committee. She holds an MS in Educational Psychology, an Ed.S. in School Psychology, and an Ed.D. in Human Learning and Development.
She worked as a school psychologist in a suburban school district for 7 years and has been in private practice for 8 years.
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Shira Raviv Schwartz
VICE-PRESIDENT
Shira Schwartz is an educational advocate, veteran educator, and dyslexia specialist who has successfully assisted over 500 families in the Chicagoland area with navigating IEP and 504 educational plans. She excels at building strong partnerships, even in challenging interpersonal situations. Shira works with families of students facing various challenges, including learning difficulties, behavioral issues, anxiety, autism, ADHD, executive function challenges, and school refusal.
Additionally, Shira has contributed to the Illinois State Literacy Plan and the Illinois State Board of Education Dyslexia Educator and Parent Handbook. She and her husband have three grown children and reside in Highland Park.
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Alison Lambert
TREASURER
Alison holds a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction with a Concentration in Language-Based Learning Disabilities, and is a structured literacy specialist and certified dyslexia therapist. Passionate about literacy, Alison believes that learning to read is a matter of dignity and a basic human right all children should be able to attain. Her son, profoundly dyslexic, is proof that with proper instruction all children can be successful.
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Lauren El-Mofty
SECRETARY
Lauren is the Director of Student Services at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago. Lauren has spent her career in the field of special education. She has served as a special education teacher and inclusion consultant in the Chicago suburbs, as an independent consultant, and as a teacher, case manager, and school-level special education administrator in the city of Chicago. Lauren received an undergraduate degree in special education from Indiana University and a graduate degree in school administration from UIC.
Board of Directors – General Members
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Tara Chapman has taught public and private education students for over 35 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction-Reading, and an American Montessori Society Elementary I Credential. Tara is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and a Qualified Instructor (QI) through the Academic Language Therapy Association. She is the Founder and Director of The Written Word Center for Dyslexia and Learning, a dyslexia-focused, IMSLEC-accredited Center in DuPage County dedicated to educating and supporting students and parents in Wheaton and surrounding communities. She served two terms as the ALTA Illinois Chapter President, an organization she helped establish in 2018.
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Cassie Clark holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Special Education with a concentration in dyslexia, and has completed additional coursework through Yale University’s Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. Cassie is a Wilson Partner Trainer, Certified Wilson Dyslexia Therapist (W.D.T.) and CERI Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS). As Executive Director and Co-Founder of the EAC Dyslexia Center, Cassie’s journey began as a parent of a child with dyslexia and has ignited her passion for helping support students with language-based learning disabilities along with providing professional development to educators. Cassie is a Certified Special Education Dyslexia Advocate, a trusted provider for the International Dyslexia Association and Center for Effective Reading Instruction, and a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, and the Learning Disabilities Association.
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Abigail Greenburg is a reading specialist who is passionate about every child having the right to read. Currently, Abbey is the Director of School Transitions for Redwood Schools. Prior to working at Redwood, she was the Transition Coordinator at Hyde Park Day School. Abbey has taught various grades and served as a special education teacher, as well as a private educational advocate. She received a B.A. in psychology from the University of Colorado in Boulder and a Master's in language literacy and specialized instruction from DePaul University.
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Laura Johnson is a dedicated High School Literacy Specialist based in DuPage County, Illinois, where she passionately works to enhance literacy skills among middle and high school students. Laura has an undergraduate degree from Elmhurst University, a graduate degree from Concordia University, and an EL Endorsement from St. Francis University. She is LETRS certified and is enrolled in the Slant System Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher Certification program. Beyond her classroom contributions, Laura actively engages with the broader educational community. She has shared her insights on secondary literacy intervention at notable events such as the Celebrating Language Arts Countywide Institute Day in DuPage County, the Illinois Reading Council Conference in Springfield, and the IL Literacy Volunteers on the Road to Literacy Conference.
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Sharon Kacmarcik is an attorney in private practice and holds a BS in Finance. She has advocated for over a decade for children with special needs and learning disabilities in the western suburbs through the Resource Association in Special Education (RAiSE) and the Dyslexia Parent Group. She is the parent of two children with dyslexia.
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Dr. Kimberly Melton Lechner is a School Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with Kids First Collaborative, PLLC in Wheaton. She provides comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for both families and school districts. Before starting a private practice, Kim spent 15 years working in public schools as a behavior intervention specialist, school psychologist, and assistant director of special education. During her tenure, Kim twice received the Those Who Excel Award in the team category from the Illinois State Board of Education. Additionally, she was honored to receive the Crystal Apple, Champion for Children Award for her work as a student services administrator. Kim has a special interest in reading and enjoys collaborating with other specialists to bridge the practice gap between high quality assessment and effective intervention.
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Anne Lundberg is the founder and Head of Distribution for Armitage Partners, a private placement and advisory firm focused on private markets funds and direct investments. Prior to launching Armitage Partners, Anne held various distribution roles in the asset management space, both for hedge-fund-focused firms and long-only managers.
Most recently Anne was Head of North America Distribution and Consultant Relations at Thornburg Investment Management. She is also past president and a former board member of Women Investment Professionals, a member of the University of Chicago Women’s Business Group and a member of 100 Women in Finance.
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Mitch Singer is a special education coordinator for Northbrook School District #27. With over 20 years of experience in education, Mitch has dedicated his career to supporting students with diverse needs in special education. As part of his responsibilities, Mitch oversees his school district’s child find obligations and private school obligations, is a 504 case manager at the middle school level, and supports special education teachers and related service providers from throughout the school district from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.
Throughout his career, Mitch has taught in various educational settings, including therapeutic day schools, instructional-level classrooms, and resource classrooms. This diverse experience has equipped Mitch with a deep understanding of the unique needs of students in different settings. Mitch holds Master’s degrees in special education and educational leadership with a special education director from Northeastern Illinois University.
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Dr. Rachel Tercek is a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of the Chicago Neurodevelopmental Center (CNC). Dr. Tercek received her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Notre Dame and her doctorate in clinical psychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science. Dr. Tercek specializes in conducting individualized assessments of children and adolescents with learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), behavioral challenges, ADHD, ASD, and depression/anxiety.
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Rob Thomas, CIMA®, CAIA, is a Senior Investment Consultant with CAPTRUST working with both institutional and private wealth clients. He is deeply committed to advancing awareness and education about the impact of dyslexia on young students, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations.
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Aaron Gross is an experienced educator and administrator with 19 years of experience working in the field and a strong personal connection to supporting students with reading disabilities. Diagnosed with dyslexia in the first grade, he overcame early challenges through the help of a dedicated tutor in high school, which inspired his career in special education. Aaron earned his bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Nevada and has worked as a teacher and assistant principal in Chicagoland public schools since 2005. He brings a unique perspective to his work, combining personal experience with professional expertise to advocate for equitable opportunities for all learners.
Auxiliary Board
The Auxiliary Board of Everyone Reading Illinois plays a vital role in supporting the Board of Directors and advancing Everyone Reading Illinois’ mission. Comprised of passionate members appointed by the Board of Directors, the Auxiliary Board contributes by assisting Board committees in achieving their objectives.
David Davidson
“As a high school reading specialist and parent of a college student with dyslexia, I am dedicated to promoting effective remediation strategies to support individuals with dyslexia and those who work to support them.”
Sue Knoelk
“Literacy changes lives - this awareness drives my passion as a Reading Specialist, Certified Academic Language Therapist and Dyslexia Practitioner to empower children who struggle to become skilled readers and writers and to support the adults who care for them.”
Kate Morrone
“When my 2nd grade son was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2022, I attended an ERI conference that gave me access to experts on dyslexia, interventions, and best practices for supporting my child. My son is now an avid reader, and proud of the unique problem-solving skills of his dyslexic brain. I joined the ERI Auxiliary Board to help connect parents with factual dyslexia resources, and to encourage families to consider the 'super-powers' of dyslexic thinkers.”
Dr. Eileen Norton
“As a past president and former member of Everyone Reading Illinois’ Board of Directors, I feel strongly about the need to continue to support Everyone Reading Illinois’ crucial mission to provide education about dyslexia and advocate for effective literacy interventions in Illinois schools.”
Kweku Obed
“Having been a prior Board Member on Everyone Reading Illinois' Board of Directors, I understand the important and often unseen work of Everyone Reading Illinois, and I am proud to continue to be involved with this remarkable literacy organization as an Auxiliary Board member.”
Christine Pederson
“As a dyslexia practitioner, advocate, and former reading specialist and LBS1 in public and private settings, I share a passion for ensuring ALL people learn to read and write using appropriate evidence-based literacy practices both in and out of school, so it is my pleasure to support the mission of ERI.”
Julie Schuetz
“Sparked by my son's dyslexia diagnosis, joining ERI’s Auxiliary Board reflects my passion for advocating not only for children with learning challenges but also for building community-wide support for educators, administrators, families, and children who are dedicated to improving literacy outcomes for all.”
Dr. Vanessa Kovachy
"I joined the Everyone Reading Illinois Auxiliary Board as a school and educational psychologist because I am passionate about ensuring all children receive holistic, neuroaffirming, and equitable support to thrive academically and emotionally."
Elizabeth Underwood
“As a learning specialist, I am dedicated to working with children with dyslexia and advocating for appropriate interventions and accommodations.”
Hollis Thomann
“As a speech-language pathologist specializing in language, literacy, and executive functioning, I am passionate about helping students improve reading comprehension skills in order to love reading,”
Diane Wendt Uher
“As a parent who has loved ones with dyslexia and who is concerned about the impact of illiteracy and low literacy on our communities, I am a fierce volunteer advocate for strong literacy instruction in the general education setting along with early identification and intervention of specific learning differences, especially dyslexia, so that all kids learn how to read, write, spell and speak confidently.”
Our Other Auxiliary Board Members Include…
Jenine Hanson
Lauren Pisick
Jennifer Zvi