Lindsay Kemeny is a seasoned elementary-school teacher who is currently teaching first grade. After her son was diagnosed with dyslexia and depression, she began her deep dive into effective literacy instruction. She is a CERI certified Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher and holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. In addition to being a classroom teacher, Lindsay has served as a teacher mentor and reading interventionist. She enjoys presenting locally and nationally, and co-hosting the Literacy Talks podcast. She is the author of the book, 7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-3 Reading Success. Her articles have appeared in The Reading League Journal and IDA Perspectives.

Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, Ed.D., CCC/SLP, CDT, CALT, QI

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.Elsa has dedicated 25 years working in national research projects sponsored by the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, the Institute of Education Sciences, a research arm of the United States Department of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs.

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, . Elsa was

honored to receive the Margaret Bryd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award by the International

Dyslexia Association and the Luke Waites Award of Service by the Academic Language Therapy

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.

Licensed Dyslexia Therapist

ICALP

CALT

Reading Academies Cohort Leader

Email: lesli.coody@esc18.net
Phone: 432-567-3260