The Literacy Crisis: If It’s a Right, Why Is It Still a Privilege?

About the Presenters

Dr. Octavia Gray-Essex, Senior Education Advisor at Lexia, is a literacy scholar-practitioner whose work bridges research, policy, and practice to strengthen literacy systems and expand educational opportunity for all students. Drawing on more than two decades of large urban experience across classroom, school, district, and national contexts, she partners with education leaders to translate evidence into sustainable systems that strengthen teaching, learning, and leadership to advance equitable student outcomes across the K–12 continuum. Dr. Gray-Essex holds a bachelor’s degree in government, a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. She remains actively engaged in the field through her service on the Legislative and Policy Committee of the Literacy Research Association (LRA) and as a member of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER) and the International Dyslexia Association (IDA).

Dr. Caresa Dodson is a licensed school psychologist and special educator in the state of Tennessee. This is her 29th year in the field of education. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, master’s degree in school psychology, and specialist degree in curriculum and instruction at MTSU. She fell in love with teaching reading and received her Ph.D. in special education from Vanderbilt University with an emphasis in reading disabilities. She serves as a Customer Success Manager at Lexia Learning. She was previously in Wilson County (Tennessee) as the special education supervisor. Prior to that position, she was the Reading and Intervention Coordinator in Murfreesboro City Schools. She is passionate about reading and the importance of the Science of Reading for teachers. Her experiences in general education as a reading coordinator and in special education as a school psychologist and special education director have provided years of experience in literacy, the Science of Reading, and effective leadership.

Dr. Carly Waters is passionate about supporting educators and leaders in strengthening literacy instruction through evidence-based practices. Her career has spanned a variety of educational settings, providing opportunities to support both student learning and educator development. Through her experience as an instructional coach and literacy specialist, and in literacy education, Dr. Waters has focused on bridging research and practice, helping educators translate the Science of Reading into meaningful classroom instruction. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in literacy education and is committed to empowering teachers and leaders to create lasting literacy outcomes for students.

Jessie Stroven is a dynamic educator with over 16 years of experience in various capacities across the education industry. Jessie has a Master of Science in Business, Management and Leadership, a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education/English, and an Orton-Gillingham Certification. Her love for literacy grew as a first-grade teacher when she was able to put research into practice and saw the amazing growth of her students. Jessie is most proud of her work as a literacy advocate, championing both students and teachers. Her current work as a LETRS District Success Manager with Lexia for the last four years allows her to analyze complex educational challenges, develop creative solutions, and collaborate with district leaders and stakeholders to advance literacy professional development. Alongside Lexia, it is her mission to create opportunities for all students through the power of literacy.

Lexia^®, a Cambium Learning^® Group brand, is transforming literacy education, driving change in 1 of every 3 school districts across the United States. For more than 40 years, Lexia has been a thought leader in literacy education, delivering award-winning, research-based solutions grounded in the Science of Reading. With a full spectrum of offerings, including professional learning, curricula, and embedded assessment tools, Lexia provides educators with Structured Literacy solutions that are proven effective and designed to drive meaningful literacy outcomes. By empowering educators with unparalleled ease of use and the knowledge and tools they need, Lexia helps more students unlock their potential to read, write, and speak with confidence. For more information, visit lexialearning.com.