Thomas Hurford is the director of intervention and professional development at the Center for Reading at Pittsburg State University. In this role, he has trained individuals to use the Secret Codes which is a Structured Literacy curriculum. Before working with the Center for Reading, Thomas was a school psychologist for over a decade working in central Kansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma. As part of his responsibilities as a school psychologist, he helped create and maintain the screening and problem-solving processes for dyslexia and reading difficulties in his districts. In addition, he created the assessment battery used by his district to identify students with dyslexia and reading difficulties under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Working as a school psychologist, he strived to ensure that every student received a free and appropriate education and that all students’ needs were met.

The Center for Reading evaluation includes measures of reading, spelling, phonological processing, attention, social and emotional behavior, hearing, and a clinical interview. Center for Reading interventionists use evaluation results, Structured Literacy strategies, and curricula to implement targeted interventions based on the Science of Reading.

Alex Fender is the director of evaluation at the Center for Reading at Pittsburg State University. She is a nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP) with a masters degree in clinical psychology who has worked for more than 13 years in the fields of psychology and education. Alex has served as a school psychologist, psychological associate, and researcher, and has worked in various settings including public schools, clinics, and hospitals. Alex is passionate about the identification of dyslexia, as well as helping individuals and families navigate the systems of support that are available.

The Center for Reading evaluation includes measures of reading, spelling, phonological processing, attention, social and emotional behavior, hearing, and a clinical interview. Center for Reading interventionists use evaluation results, Structured Literacy strategies, and curricula to implement targeted interventions based on the Science of Reading.