CLICK HERE to for more information and to register to join us in-person or via live-stream.

Do you know someone who struggles with reading, spelling, and writing? Come learn what dyslexia is, what it isn’t, and what evidence-based research tells us works.

Check-in at 6:30 and enjoy the opportunity from 6:30 – 7:00 to visit with our panelists and other attendees until the presentation begins at 7:00. Following the presentation, our panelists will answer questions from the audience.

Presenters & Q & A Panelists:

Renee Bernhardt, Ed.S., W.D.T. (Presenter and Panelist) has served the IDA-GA Board of Directors as a Director, Vice President, and President-Elect and has co-chaired the conference committee. She will assume the position of IDA-GA Board President on January 1, 2020. She has taught students in first through twelfth grade during her teaching and administrative careers in upstate New York and Georgia. Renee has earned a Master of Science degree in Literacy, a Specialist degree in Curriculum, and Instruction and Administrative certification. She holds a Level II certification with Wilson Language (www.wilsonlanguage.com) and is a strong proponent of using Structured Literacy instruction in the classroom. She shares her passion for learning with her fellow IDA Board members and welcomes your questions, ideas, and support!

Matt Carter, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (Panelist) is an associate professor in the Dewar College of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University. He teaches and researches primarily in the area of dyslexia. Recently, he helped organize dyslexia screenings for over 900 kindergarten students in two local school systems with funding provided by the Albany Valley of the Scottish-Rite Foundation. He is passionate about getting speech-language pathologists involved in the early identification and treatment of dyslexia.

Judith Cohen, Ed.D. (Presenter and Panelist) is the IDA-FL Board President. She is an accomplished author and has presented at numerous conferences and professional development workshops, both locally and nationally. Dr. Judith Cohen was a reading clinician and classroom teacher of students with learning disabilities, dyslexia, and related language and reading disabilities for 25 years prior to serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor, Faculty Administrator, and Coordinator of Special Education Placement & Supervision. Currently, she is the director of the Office of Clinical Experiences and teaches courses in the Special Education program. She also works as an educational consultant and has developed and presented numerous literacy workshops that focus on phonological awareness, phonics, and special education. Her research focuses on research-based strategies that promote student growth in language and literacy, particularly for students with dyslexia and related language and reading disabilities.

Tina Engberg (Panelist) is currently State Leader of Decoding Dyslexia Georgia. She is actively involved in the legislative side of the DDGA work and is currently working to ensure that the parent voice is heard as the elements of SB48 are implemented by the Department of Education and the State Board. Tina has been actively involved in Dyslexia advocacy since her son, a profound Dyslexic now in 8th grade, was diagnosed in Kindergarten. She is keenly interested in the Science of Reading, effective educational interventions and the mental health issues that surround Dyslexia.

Karen Huppertz (Panelist) has served on the Georgia Board of Directors since 2008 and as IDA-GA President for the past 4 and ½ years. She is currently volunteering as IDA-Georgia Past President and as IDA Northeast Region Representative. She is the parent of two adult children with dyslexia. Her background and experience in marketing and advertising lends itself toward raising awareness about dyslexia as well as the goals and activities of the IDA Georgia Branch. When not volunteering, Karen is a freelance reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She also works part-time with Kendore Learning and Kendore Cares, a 501(c)3 created to provide one-on-one reading intervention to students performing below their potential as well as teacher training to educators working in low-performing schools.

Outreach events such as this provide opportunities for individuals to connect in person with parents, educators, and others interested in learning and engaging in discussions about dyslexia and related topics. Outreach events are free and open to the public.

The Georgia and Florida Branches of the International Dyslexia Association and Decoding Dyslexia GA would like to thank Matt Carter, Ph.D. for helping to organize this event at Valdosta State University.