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Jaclyn Galbally is an Assistant Professor of Special Education and director of high-incidence disabilities and co-director of teacher-scholars at Saint Joseph's University. She has a MA in Special Education focused on Learning Disabilities from American University and has taught students with mild to moderate learning disabilities for over 15 years. After co-founding the teacher-scholar residency program at AIM Academy, her passion for improving preservice teacher preparation and professional development for in-service teachers was ignited. Jaclyn earned her  Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Psychology and completed her dissertation on pre-service teacher efficacy beliefs and literacy content knowledge at Temple University. After joining SJU, Jaclyn co-founded the Urban Teacher Residency at KIPP Elementary School in Philadelphia. She is focused on increasing equitable access to effective literacy instruction.

Jaclyn serves as secretary of Everyone Reads PA, co-founded the Reading League of Pennsylvania, and served on the executive board of the Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. She advocates for students who struggle to develop independence in reading with parents and in schools. She has presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Teacher Education Division on collaborative efforts to affect school literacy change and teacher preparation and published in peer-reviewed journals. Her current research focuses on the role of practicum-based experiences and inquiry in increasing pre-service and in-service teachers' knowledge and application of evidence-based learning.

Brent Johnstone was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Johnstone was raised in a loving home. Ann and Isaac Johnstone raised all of their children to be the best, and to reach for academic greatness in order to secure a positive and fulfilling future.  Johnstone participated in sports throughout his life and became a local star in football.   Johnstone’s ability on the field lead to him to be regarded as one of the best football players in the state his senior year. As a result, more than five colleges offered Johnstone a chance to attend with a full scholarship.  Johnstone choose to stay close to home and enrolled on North Broad Street at the great Temple University.

It was at Temple University that Johnstone's life totally changed forever. 

Feeling overwhelmed by the workload of college, Johnstone at times became very depressed. Throughout his life, Johnstone was able to hide very well that he didn't see things the same way others did when it came to reading and doing schoolwork.  Johnstone knew he didn't just hate school, he knew he couldn't understand the things that seemed to come easily to his classmates. 

It was only after Johnstone submitted a paper to his academic coordinator, Karen Williams, that things began to change.  Williams looked at the paper for a minute, then seriously looked at Johnstone and said, “We need to have you tested.”  Later in the week he was tested and found to be living with a mild form of Dyslexia.

Johnstone’s biggest academic failure was yet too come. A year after learning he was Dyslexic, Johnstone flunked out of Temple University. Johnstone and his mother both broke down over his being kicked out of college. That moment was the first time Johnstone cried out to his mother about his inability to learn like others.

Johnstone was admitted back to college at Temple the next semester.   He took advantage of the disability program and several professionals and tutors who committed themselves to helping him. At the end of the semester, Johnstone earned a 2.9 GPA and was on his way to graduating.  Johnstone graduated from Temple University in 1999.

Once in his professional career, Johnstone found himself working with kids a lot like him who struggled academically.  Always embarrassed about his learning issues, Johnstone never talked too anyone about his struggles. Years later, Johnstone started speaking too kids individually about his struggles with Dyslexia.

Johnstone noticed his talks were helping certain individuals. As a result, Johnstone started sharing his message with groups with kids.  These kids clung to his story and gained hope because they were able to see someone who struggled with learning differences making it in the world. Johnstone started too learn that what he thought was his biggest weakness was actually his his biggest strength. 

In 2017, Johnstone and his friend Akeiff Staples created FathersRead365, an early literacy program that focuses on fathers leading their children’s literacy journey. FathersRead365 focuses on book distribution, parenting training, and creating educational family content. Since 2017 FathersRead365 has helped build over 20,000 home personal libraries and has provided over 130,000 donated children’s books in the Philadelphia area. 

Pam Kastner, Ed.D., is an educational consultant at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) Harrisburg, where she serves as the State Lead for for Literacy in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kastner along with the PaTTAN literacy team leads state-wide literacy initiatives which include professional learning in the science of reading and structured literacy; onsite training, coaching, and consultation; a virtual literacy resource hub; and an international literacy conference.

Dr. Kastner along with the PaTTAN Literacy team has lead Pennsylvania’s Dyslexia Screening and Early Literacy Intervention Pilot Program, extension, and expansion. 

Dr. Kastner and the PaTTAN Literacy team have been integral to the inclusion of the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading alignment within Pennsylvania teacher certification.

Dr. Kastner serves on the Pennsylvania Taskforce for Higher Education whose goal is to embed the science of reading and structured literacy in higher education institutions.  Dr. Kastner presented at the National Summit on the Science of Reading in Higher Education in 2022 and is on the steering committee developing a Summit on the Science of Reading in Higher Education in Pennsylvania planned for May 2023.

Dr. Kastner is an adjunct professor at Mount Saint Joseph University in the Reading Science Program where she teachers in the Masters’ and Doctoral Program. 

Dr. Kastner has the honor of serving as the President of The Reading League Pennsylvania, The Reading League Journal’s Practitioner Editorial Board, and is a member of The Science of Reading: A Defining Movement coalition.  

Elizabeth began her career in New York City in hotel management, where she honed her leadership and organizational skills. After meeting her husband, Keith and transitioning to Radnor Township, Penssylvania, Elizabeth co-founded a regionally recognized catering corporation, which quickly gained a reputation for its impeccable service and attention to detail.

Throughout her career, Elizabeth has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence. She has a keen ability to anticipate trends and adapt to changing market demands, which has been instrumental in the success of her business.

In addition to her professional achievements, Elizabeth is committed to making a difference in her community. She is eager to share her truth and grow her knowledge about fair education opportunities and resources for students with learning differences, drawing from her own experience as a mother of two sons with learning differences. 

Beyond her business and community focus, Elizabeth is a mother of four children. She strives to be a positive role model for her family and those around her.