Science of Reading Made Easy: Practical Ways to Build Strong Literacy Foundations in Pre-K and K

About the Presenters

Tisha Hayes, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education at the University of Virginia, teaches courses on the language structures of English and on using data to guide interventions for students with reading difficulties. As Director of McGuffey Reading Services, Dr. Hayes collaborates with clinical staff to provide diagnostic evaluations, including dyslexia assessments and structured‑literacy‑based interventions for students across grade levels. She mentors students over three programs across various stages of the profession, from pre-service undergraduates to in-service graduates and doctoral students. As a special educator, reading specialist, and literacy coach, Dr. Hayes has taught students with reading difficulties and disabilities across the elementary and middle grades. Dr. Hayes is co‑author of Playful Activities for Reading Readiness, Literacy Intervention in the Middle Grades, and Developing Word Recognition, and has published in journals such as Reading Research Quarterly, Annals of Dyslexia, and Reading and Writing.

Kateri Thunder, Ph.D., is an educator, researcher, author, and coach. She collaborates with learners and educators around the world to translate research into practice. Dr. Thunder has served as a classroom teacher in early childhood through high school math, a math specialist, an Assistant Professor of Math Education at James Madison University, and Site Director for the Central Virginia Writing Project. Dr. Thunder researches, writes, and presents on equity and access in education and the intersection of literacy and mathematics for teaching and learning. She has partnered with thousands of educators to catalyze change in their classrooms, schools, and districts. Dr. Thunder played a pivotal role in the creation of Sadlier PreK with Wiley Blevins and Sadlier’s Progress in Mathematics series. She is also a best-selling author of several books, including The Success Criteria Playbook, Visible Learning in Early Childhood, and The Early Childhood Education Playbook.

Alisha Demchak, Ph.D., is the Program Coordinator for the Early Childhood Teacher Education Program at the University of Virginia, where she teaches courses in the teacher preparation program on a variety of topics. Her research centers on early literacy development and supporting teachers to implement and sustain evidence-based instructional and assessment practices in early childhood classrooms. Dr. Demchak has spent time as an early childhood classroom teacher, reading specialist, and instructional coach. She is a contributing author to The Early Childhood Education Playbook and has published in journals such as Assessment for Effective Intervention, Annals of Dyslexia, and Reading and Writing.