Board of Directors


Board of Directors

Dr. Maryjane Palmer, President

Dr. Maryjane Palmer received her BSEd from the State University of New York Fredonia and MA from San Diego State University in Speech Pathology and Audiology, and her EdD from Northern Arizona University.  She was employed as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Special Education Teacher, and Reading Specialist in the California public schools for over 30 years.  She has been involved with the Slingerland Literacy Institute for over 30 years as a teacher utilizing the approach in her classroom, as a Certified Instructor of Teachers for training in reading and written language, and as a coach/mentor for the Practicum class.  She is also a Center for Effective Reading Instruction Verified Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist.  Dr. Palmer has presented at the American Speech Hearing Association and International Dyslexia Association conventions.  She resides in Indiana and continues to provide therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s, and tutoring for students with dyslexia.  She plays flute in the Old Dam Community Band of Newburgh, and is learning to play jazz flute.  She plays with her two dogs, and loves to cook and eat.  Then she jazzercises. 

 

Katie Eynon, Vice President

When Katie Eynon graduated from Valparaiso University with a degree in communications, children’s literacy and dyslexia were the last thing on her mind. That all changed when her son entered kindergarten ready to learn and did not begin to pick reading up in the first semester. His teacher recommended reading him every day– a nightly ritual she and her husband started at birth– and wait to see the “magic” that happens after winter break. Well, Katie decided not to wait, had her son privately assessed and enrolled in tutoring. Many years and a lot of money later, her son was able to read on grade level. Dumbfounded by this experience, she resolved to create change for kids with dyslexia to help ensure they do not have to go through what her son endured. 

Katie completed Orton-Gillingham phonological awareness, basic (with practicum), intermediate, advanced training, and Lindamood-Bell LIPS and V/V training. She is currently enrolled in LETRS. Katie works as a tutor with the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana– where she thoroughly enjoys working with kids. Serving on the IDA-IN board is another step forward for her in being a part of the change. #untileveryonecanread.

 

Josiah Colombo-Espinoza, Secretary

Over the past 16 years, Josiah has worked in the K-12 private, public, and charter school settings as a classroom teacher, special educator and administrator. While he doesn’t have a favorite grade level, he loves teaching reading.  His various experiences have increased his passion for working with students from diverse ability, academic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.  Josiah is excited to learn and work with other passionate professionals to increase awareness and education about dyslexia.  He is LETRS, Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell, and Wired for Reading trained and holds a BS in Elementary Education and ESOL Endorsement from the University of South Florida, M.Ed from Loyola University Chicago and a Learning Behavior Specialist Certification.

 

Cassie Summer-Corp, Treasurer

Cassie Summers-Corp is the CEO of Creating Avenues for Student Transformation (CAST). She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and Literature from Rochester University and is an Orton-Gillingham Basic Reading Specialist. She is a nonprofit, youth service professional with 12+ years of experience. Cassie possesses a deep passion for work that changes lives. She lives and works in rural Southern Indiana and believes that everyone has the right to learn to read. She works to remove barriers so structured literacy is available and accessible for all students. She is determined to continue addressing the challenges faced by dyslexic and struggling readers in Southern Indiana and beyond.

 

Deniese Hofmeister, Member at Large

Deniese Hofmeister graduated with a degree in history from Oral Roberts University with the intention of pursuing a law degree.  Marriage and children took her in a different direction, and she became a business owner with her husband. After her oldest son was diagnosed with dyslexia, she received Orton Gillingham training.  She worked for several years at Greenwood Christian Academy in second and third grade.  She became an Orton tutor for the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana.  She has completed training in Orton Gillingham Basic, Advanced, Written Expression, Math Methods, Lindamood-Bell LIPS, and Visualizing and Verbalizing.  Since 2018 she has been Director of Operations at the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana where she oversees the placement of tutors to schools and individual students.  Her favorite and busiest time of year is June when she oversees the ACA accredited Camp Delafield.

 

Dr. Lindan Hill, President Elect

 

Lyndsey Gillespie, Board Member

Lyndsey Gillespie joined the Indiana-IDA board in January 2023. Lyndsey is a paralegal at Connell Michael Kerr, working in their education division. She is a member of COPAA (Council of Parents, Attorneys, and Advocates), and has a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in psychology from Ball State University. After her daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2018, Lyndsey became passionate about reading instruction and helping other parents navigate special education within the school system.

 

Dr. Bethany Goth, Board Member

Bethany has been involved in education for the past 16 years. She graduated from Oakland City University with a degree in Elementary Education and taught primary students in Florida for a number of years. Since then, she has obtained a Master’s degree from Purdue University Calumet and recently completed the requirements for an Ed.D. at the University of Southern Indiana. In addition, she completed a fellowship through the Stravos Center at the University of South Florida. Bethany currently resides in Southern Indiana, where she has taught and currently serves in a district leadership role. She is an advocate for all students to have access to a high quality literacy education and has been certified as a local LETRS facilitator. 

 

Tyler Kottkamp, Board Member

 

Kimberly Lewis, Board Member

 

Karen Lyons, Board Member

 

Tamara Overpeck, Board Member

Reading and spelling has always been difficult for Tamara. It didn’t have such a negative impact academically within the school setting, because Tamara was able to mask it by memorizing and being a hard worker. It wasn’t until her first year of college, that she saw the large skill deficits and began practicing fluency by reading one word at a time aloud, until smoothness occurred. Her best friend helped proofread her papers and when there were unfamiliar words, she’d ask how to pronounce and look up the meaning in the dictionary. Tamara knows what it feels like to have dyslexia and with determination and hard work, graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, has earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Media Technology from Indiana State University, is Orton-Gillingham trained (40 hours in-person), participated in the OG practicum (10 hours), completed Advanced trainings, and has taught in the private and public sectors for the past 25 years. Tamara is also a mother of 4 and 2 of them have dyslexia. Tamara’s personal experiences, along with many trainings, have revolutionized her understanding of structured literacy and how to accommodate students’ area of disability so that they can grow in literacy. Tamara currently works for the District equipping and supporting teachers.

 

Lora Reed, Board Member

 

Cassie Stratton, Board Member

Cassie brings 23 years of teaching experience to her role. Her journey in education has led her to diverse corners of the world, including Italy, Montenegro, South Korea, and Japan. She holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in English as a New Language from Marian University. Cassie is a licensed Reading Teacher (K-12), certified as a Reading Specialist trained in Dyslexia, and is also a certified Orton-Gillingham instructor. In 2021, she established READy to R.E.A.D., a non-profit providing free, intensive literacy support to struggling readers in Brown County, Indiana. Cassie is a firm believer in literacy as a universal human right and is committed to breaking down barriers to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn how to read.


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