With over 31 years of dedicated teaching experience, Laura Thomas is a Regional Sales Representative, Trainer, and Coach on the Empowering Writers’ team of seasoned educators. Laura’s teaching journey is distinguished by her remarkable success with Empowering Writers' structured approach to writing instruction, which she now passionately shares with fellow educators throughout the nation. Her love for Empowering Writers blossomed as she watched the writing climate in her classroom transform through the direct skill-based instruction and assured experiences created by its structured approach, and it is her ultimate desire for all teachers to enjoy the art of teaching writing.
As co-founder/author and CEO of Empowering Writers, Dea Paoletta Auray is first and foremost an educator. She began her career in the classroom in Fairfield, CT where, responding to the issues faced by teachers every day, she and her grade level partner developed their highly innovative writing program. Over a five-year period they fine-tuned their methodology to meet the many challenges of writing instruction - such as consistency, assured experiences and manageability in classrooms with students working at different levels. Always fully engaged in the current teaching environment, she has co-authored over 40 titles and continues to develop resource materials on narrative, informational, and opinion writing as well as response to text. As a seasoned presenter, Dea has presented to thousands of teachers across North America.
Georgia Association of Literacy Advocates (GALA)
GALA Leadership Team
- Bethany L. Scullin, Chair
- Robert A. Griffin, Vice Chair
- Jennifer K. Allen, Treasurer
- Helena Foster, Secretary
- Megan Schumacher, Membership Committee Chair
- Carolyn Cutts, Social Media Committee Chair
- Oluremi Wright, Grants/Scholarships/Awards Committee Chair
- Matthew Sroka, Professional Development Committee Chair