Dr. Andrea Reaka is an educator, academic coach, and advocate for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. She is Certified Dyslexia Practitioner and serves as an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Ponce Health Science University in St. Louis.  She has dedicated her career to helping learners of all ages develop the skills, confidence, and support systems needed to achieve their academic goals.

Dr. Reaka was the Director of a Tutoring Center in Illinois where she worked with all ages of students with Dyslexia.  Now in higher education, Dr. Reaka works extensively with college, graduate, and medical students as an academic advisor, mentor, and learning strategist. Dr. Reaka is also engaged in research and program development focused on dyslexia, executive functioning, and learning strategies across the educational lifespan. She is particularly interested in the intersection of dyslexia, self-regulated learning, and academic success in higher education, and advocates for stronger systems of support that help students transition successfully from K–12 education into college and professional programs.

A frequent collaborator with educators, faculty, and student support professionals, Dr. Reaka is committed to advancing awareness of dyslexia and promoting evidence-based practices that empower learners to reach their full potential. As a Board Member of the Missouri Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, she works to further the organization's mission of improving the lives of individuals with dyslexia through advocacy, education, and community engagement.

Nicole Tornow has been an elementary educator since 2003 and has served in a variety of roles

throughout her career, with a primary focus on literacy instruction and intervention. She is the

founder of Defy Dyslexia, an independent partner with Lexercise, a CERI Structured Literacy

Dyslexia Specialist, an IMSE Orton-Gillingham Specialist, an IMSE Practicum Supervisor, and a

K–5 Reading Intervention Specialist.

Nicole earned her Master of Education degree and believes that learning never stops. As a

lifelong learner, she has recently been accepted into an Educational Specialist program, where

she will continue expanding her knowledge and expertise to better serve students and families.

Nicole is passionate about literacy, dyslexia advocacy, and helping every child discover the

confidence that comes with reading success. She is committed to providing evidence-based

instruction, building meaningful relationships with students and families, and ensuring that every

learner has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

I live in Platte City, Missouri, and I am an operations and strategic planning professional with a background in Lean transformation and entrepreneurial ventures. As a parent of a child with learning differences and a committed advocate for evidence-based supports, I am passionate about helping students with dyslexia thrive at home, at school, and in their communities. On the International Dyslexia Association board, I hope to bring a compassionate, family-centered perspective together with systems-thinking and data-informed decision-making to advance IDA’s mission across Kansas and Missouri. 

Erin Heffernan Markowicz is the Chief of Staff and Director of Strategic Marketing, Communications, and Events for the Jewish Federation of Kansas City, where she serves on the executive leadership team and as a strategic partner to the CEO. With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, communications, and community engagement, Erin has built a career focused on connecting people to meaningful causes and creating lasting community impact.

Throughout her career, Erin has led strategic communications, fundraising initiatives, crisis communications efforts, and large-scale community events for organizations including the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, Notre Dame de Sion School, and the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation. Her work has centered on building strong communities through philanthropy, education, and thoughtful leadership.

In Fall 2025, Erin earned her Volunteer Advocacy Project (VAP) Certification through the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The intensive program trains advocates in special education law, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), eligibility and evaluation processes, assistive technology, behavior intervention planning, disability rights, and effective non-adversarial advocacy strategies.

Dawn Burke, CALT, is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and highly qualified Kansas educator with 15 years of experience within secondary English Language Arts, literacy intervention, and instructional coaching. Her career in education took a transformative turn in 2021 when she completed specialized training at Phillips Fundamental Learning Center, inspiring her to launch a dedicated practice providing private dyslexia therapy.  Beyond her work in public education, she actively shapes literacy policy; during the 2026 Kansas Legislative session, Dawn and her family advocated for House Bill 2485 (the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy) to establish a statewide framework for improving reading outcomes. Based in western Kansas, Dawn is passionately committed to helping students and families access evidence-based support so every child can succeed. 

• Bachelor's in Elementary Education, Newman University (2010)

• Master of Science in Education, University of Kansas (2017)

• ESOL Endorsement, Fort Hays State University

• Literacy Intervention Specialist, Phillips Fundamental Learning Center (2021-2026)

My name is Travis Helm and I am beginning my 32nd year with Kansas City Kansas Public

Schools. I began my career in 1995 as a social studies teacher at Rosedale Middle School. From

2007 to 2014, I served as assistant principal at Central Middle School before returning to

Rosedale Middle School as principal in 2014, where I continue to serve today.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University in

1995 and my Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of

Missouri–Kansas City in 2002.

My passion for supporting students with dyslexia is deeply personal. My daughter was diagnosed

with dyslexia while she was in middle school and watching her navigate the challenges of

reading and learning gave me a firsthand understanding of the importance of early identification,

appropriate accommodations, and strong support systems. Today, she is a junior in college

pursuing a degree in education, and I am incredibly proud that she plans to become a teacher.

Because of our family’s experience, I am committed to helping educate families about

dyslexia and the resources available to support their children. I believe that early

identification and intervention can make a tremendous difference in a student's success.

My goal is to help schools and families work together to recognize the signs of dyslexia,

implement effective supports, and ensure every student has the opportunity to reach

their full potential.

Halee Jones is a resident of Topeka, Kansas, and will begin her first year teaching kindergarten at Pauline Central Elementary this fall. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Relations and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education.

As a person with dyslexia who utilized accommodations throughout her educational journey to earn a master's degree, Halee brings both personal and professional insight to literacy advocacy. She is also the parent of a child with dyslexia and has firsthand experience navigating school systems, private evaluations, and evidence-based interventions. Halee hopes to bring the perspective of an educator, parent, and individual with dyslexia to the IDA board while advocating for improved literacy outcomes and support for students and families.

Kristen Alhareedi, Home Visiting Unit Manager, KDHE 

Throughout my academic and professional careers, I have worked with vulnerable and historically excluded communities. As a mother with 3 children, all with learning differences,2 of whom are dyslexic—I have worked tirelessly to become more proficient in literacy and how to better meet children and their families where they are. Literacy is a social justice issue and intersects with and informs power and agency throughout a person's life course and communities. I hope to translate my experiences into action on the ground with the work of the KS/MO IDA as a parent and advocate/ambassador.   

Melissa Parker, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and dyslexia specialist serving the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area. As Lead Speech-Language Pathologist at Speech and Beyond, she provides comprehensive literacy evaluations and evidence-based treatment for children with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Melissa previously developed the first pediatric clinical dyslexia program in northeast Oklahoma and is passionate about advancing early identification, interdisciplinary care, professional education, and equitable access to effective literacy intervention. 

Lindsey Reichart has been an educator for over 20 years and currently serves as a Literacy Specialist. Throughout her career, she has taught students from kindergarten through sixth grade and is passionate about helping all learners become confident, successful readers. She believes that literacy changes lives and is committed to ensuring that every child has access to evidence-based reading instruction and the support they need to thrive.

Lindsey holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Central Methodist University, a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Missouri Baptist University, and certifications as a Psychological Examiner and Reading Specialist. She is an IMSE Orton-Gillingham Certified educator, Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist, LETRS Facilitator, Google Certified Trainer, and Missouri DESE Early Literacy Fellow. She enjoys supporting fellow educators through mentoring, collaboration, and professional learning opportunities.

Parent of a child, Harvey, with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and ADHD. He is attending Horizon Academy in KS. I grew up in the OP, KS area and live in Stilwell, KS.

Enjoy coaching kids sports, snow skiing, the lake life, playing golf, pickleball and softball.  

Recently started a packaged coffee business with a dyslexia awareness theme called Jumbled Coffee.

Dr. Allison Slone is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with experience in early intervention, schools, and private practice. She is currently a Curriculum Designer at the Institute for Multisensory Education (IMSE) and has provided professional learning nationwide on evidence-based language and literacy practices. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, preparing future educators to support student achievement. Dr. Slone earned her doctorate in Reading Science from Mount St. Joseph University, where she researched integrated language comprehension instruction in early elementary education. She is dedicated to helping all children build strong language and literacy skills and empowering educators with effective tools and expertise. She lives in Nixa, Missouri, with her husband, three daughters, and senior dog.