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When reading becomes a battleground, collaboration becomes the breakthrough. This session bridges-the-gap between home observation and school intervention for children with reading difficulties, particularly dyslexia. Sarah Houser, a Certified Academic Language Therapist, joins forces with Alana McWilliams, who navigates dyslexia both professionally and as a parent, to demonstrate how the parent-educator partnership forms the foundation of effective reading support. Together, they'll reveal three specific, actionable strategies that transform disconnected efforts into a powerful unified approach—even with limited resources. Participants will leave with practical tools to build communication channels, align interventions, and create consistency across environments. This isn't about theory; it's about Monday morning solutions that ensure no child falls through the cracks when parents and educators stand on the same team.
Sarah Houser
Sarah Houser
Sarah Houser is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), teacher, and co-founder of Designed to Learn, an organization dedicated to helping students with dyslexia and learning differences thrive. With almost a decade of classroom experience and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, Sarah has spent her career bridging the gap between evidence-based reading research and practical classroom strategies.
She is passionate about equipping educators with the tools and knowledge they need to deliver effective first instruction—because every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader. Her work supports both teachers and parents in identifying and addressing literacy challenges early, with a focus on each student’s strengths.
She is the co-author of The Sentence Breakthrough, a writing resource created for every child who’s ever said, “I don’t know what to write.” The book focuses on sentence-level critical thinking and syntax, helping students build confidence and clarity one sentence at a time.
Alana McWilliams
Alana McWilliams
Alana McWilliams is a seasoned public relations and marketing professional with deep experience in business strategy, advocacy, and visual communication. She specializes in helping organizations clarify their message through strong visuals and intuitive websites—bringing the strengths of dyslexic thinking to everything she creates.
As the mother of two children with dyslexia, Alana knows firsthand how hard it can be to navigate a school system that isn’t equipped to support struggling readers. That personal experience fuels her professional mission: to empower parents, advocate for systemic change, and make high-quality, affordable training accessible to teachers across the country.
She is the co-author of The Sentence Breakthrough, a writing resource designed for every child who’s ever said, “I don’t know what to write.” The book builds writing confidence through sentence-level critical thinking and syntax, helping students become clearer, stronger communicators.
Alana is also a co-founder of Designed to Learn, a company dedicated to helping parents and teachers support all kinds of learners.
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