2026 DDIA Educator Conference

Devin M. Kearns, Ph.D. is Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Devin studies early reading. He works with colleagues in psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to understand the brain basis for reading. He also develops programs to improve student reading skills, especially to help with long words and for content-area literacy in middle
school classrooms. In addition, he has researched best practices for implementing multi-tiered systems of support and developed an evidence-based system for helping students who need intensive
intervention (in Tier 3) now used in schools nationwide. Devin frequently visits schools to help them learn about reading science and improve the support systems. He has published more than 70 papers in widely read sources like the Journal of Educational Psychology, the Structured Literacy Interventions
book, and The Reading Teacher. He is the Chair-Elect of the Scientific Advisory Board of the
International Dyslexia Association. Devin has received awards for his research and advocacy from Vanderbilt University, the Windward Institute, and the University of Connecticut.

Jeanne Schopf, M.Ed., NBCT, C-SLDI, is a literacy expert, motivational keynote speaker, and educational leader with more than 35 years of experience in pubic education. She is the editor and
contributing author of Reading Isn’t Optional: Fulfilling the Promise of Literacy for Secondary Students and has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, Literacy Coach, Reading Specialist, and
Certified Dyslexia Interventionist (K–12). A Certified John Maxwell speaker, trainer, and coach, Jeanne
provides research-based professional development grounded in MTSS and the Science of Reading. As the Founder of Pathways Towards Literacy, she partners with schools and leaders to implement evidence-based practices, build educator capacity, and create sustainable systems that ensure every student achieves literacy success.

Nina Lorimor-Easley is a literacy consultant in the state of Iowa, specializing in language-based learning disabilities and dyslexia. She has master’s degrees in educational psychology and curriculum development with emphasis on language-based learning disabilities. Nina also completed a graduate-level certification in dyslexia from the Landmark School. Nina has personal connections to dyslexia and began her professional path in dyslexia advocacy by helping her two sons through school. Nina is a co-founder of Decoding Dyslexia Iowa, served on the Iowa Dyslexia Task Force, is the former co-owner of a private dyslexia intervention center, authored several of Iowa’s virtual dyslexia training modules with the Iowa Reading Research Center, and was instrumental in establishing the flagship Iowa Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement Program at the University of Iowa. Nina also currently has a seat on the Iowa Dyslexia Board.

Rhonda Nelson, Ed.D., C-SLDI, is a Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Coordinator for Bettendorf School District in Iowa. She is a Dyslexia Interventionist and holds a certification from the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) and is a LETRS Facilitator. Her work focuses on universal instruction improvement through Structured Literacy practices, providing technical assistance to school leadership, and employing data-informed strategies. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Reading Science from Mount St. Joseph University, and her efforts are aimed at closing achievement gaps and promoting equitable, inclusive education practices.

Bambi Boggs is a passionate special education teacher and literacy advocate who serves as the K–12 Dyslexia Specialist for Des Moines Christian. She was part of the first University of Iowa cohort to earn the Dyslexia Specialist endorsement and leads district teams in implementing science-based reading instruction. A certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner, she recently received the 2025 scholarship to pursue Wilson Level II Certification. Bambi serves on the boards of IDA–Iowa, the State Dyslexia Board, and the Gospel In Action Educator Board. She also helps lead the Southeast Iowa Dyslexia Teacher/Preservice Group and promotes dyslexia awareness across Iowa. Outside of work, she enjoys mission work, hiking, gardening, and lifelong learning through books and webinars.

Dr. Wall began her career in education as a middle and high school math teacher. Throughout her 20+ years in education, she's taught 2nd grade through Adult Education, and as a private instructor focused on high school and college math and science courses. She developed the NBD Math program for schools and the Certified Dyscalculia Specialist course for EduCalc Learning. Dr. Wall’s areas of expertise include dyscalculia, neurodivergence, and anxiety and depressive disorders. Her books, Teaching Students with Dyscalculia, Ah-Ha! Games for the Brain, and the Alignment Teaching Journal are available in bookstores or online. She is the founder of the Dyscalculia Training & Research Institute, hosts the What in the World is Dyscalculia podcast, and is active in the Learning Disabilities Association of America (national board member, 2025-2028) and LDA-Iowa (board president, 2026-2028), Iowa Council for Exceptional Children, and the Association of Teacher Educators. She is a professor in the College of Education and Social Work at Carlow University.

Lisa Williams currently works as an Instructional Coach in a PK-5 elementary building in Altoona, Iowa. She has 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher in the primary grades and as an elementary instructional coach. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Simpson College and her Masters of Science in Education in Literacy Education at Drake University. She holds endorsements in Language Arts, Early Childhood, K-8 Reading, K-12 Reading Specialist, and K-12 Dyslexia Specialist. In addition, Lisa has spent time as an adjunct instructor in the Dyslexia Specialist endorsement at Grand View University. She currently serves as a member of the Iowa Department of Education Statewide Literacy Leadership Team. Lisa is a founding member and treasurer for The Reading League Iowa. Lisa is passionate about providing educators with the knowledge and tools they need to provide students with evidence-based instruction in all Tiers of our MTSS system.

Megan Hunemuller is a mom of four who began researching dyslexia after recognizing multiple signs of it in her then six-year-old daughter. What started as a personal journey quickly grew into a passion for helping families navigate the complexities of dyslexia and special education.
Over the past nine years, Megan has intentionally channeled her "mama bear" instincts into building collaborative, lasting relationships with educators, administrators, and families across Iowa. She has served on the Decoding Dyslexia Iowa Board since 2023 and currently serves as the organization's Dyslexia Liaison.
Megan is a member of the International Dyslexia Association and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). She earned her Dyslexia Advocate Certificate through the Dyslexia Training Institute and is actively involved in statewide legislative efforts to improve outcomes for dyslexic learners, serving on the Iowa Department of Education's Dyslexia Board.
Megan, her husband, Brian, and their four children live in northeast Iowa. In her free time, she enjoys playing games with her family, reading, listening to podcasts, and scrapbooking.

Mindy is an excellent educator and tutor who places the importance of rapport with students at the top, knowing if the relationship is in place everything else can then fall in line. Mindy is passionate about learning and encourages her students to not only learn to succeed in the academia world but she teaches them important life skills as well.

As a child, Mindy struggled to find her place in school. She struggled to spell and sound out unfamiliar words. It wasn’t until her 6th grade year when Mindy’s passion for learning was ignited by a kind compassionate teacher that built relationships with her students. Mindy knew that she wanted to become a teacher so that she might have the opportunity to change the course of a child’s life by helping them reach their full potential.

Mindy taught in the public-school system for over 15 years. Her Undergraduate degree is in K-12 Physical Education, her Master’s Degree is in Education Leadership, and Mindy is a Certified Dyslexia Specialist through the University of Florida. Mindy has taught in Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Iowa. She has a variety of experiences with many different types of learner which makes her versatile and tenacious.

Renee Saarloos became aware of the need for dyslexia advocacy when her son was diagnosed in 2019. She began learning all she could about dyslexia and earned her master's degree in Reading Science from Mount St. Joseph University. Renee currently works as an elementary reading interventionist at a private school and is one of the leaders of the Northwest Iowa Dyslexia Support Group. She is passionate about partnering with parents and educators to raise awareness about how to identify and support struggling readers. Renee lives in Sioux Center with her husband and four children.

Stacy Bentley is an educator with over 15 years of teaching experience. She has an MA in Elementary Education, a K-8 reading endorsement and is currently a special education teacher for the Carlisle school district. Stacy is passionate about working with young readers and equipping students, teachers, families, and the community with knowledge of dyslexia in honor of several family friends. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, cats, friends and family and curling up with a good book.