THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH READING CLINIC (UURC)
STAFF

Dr. Kelly Patrick is Director of the University of Utah Reading Clinic (UURC) in the College of Education. She has a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Oregon Honor's College, a Master of Education and Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Utah. Kelly has been a high school special education teacher, an elementary school Achievement Coach, as well as an instructor for the University of Utah and the Westminster College. Her scholarly interests relate to spelling and morphology research, with publications in Assessment for Effective Intervention, Reading Research Quarterly, Journal of Research in Reading as well as presenting and consulting at international and national conferences and schools.

Dr. Kathleen J. Brown is Director Emeritus. Her scholarly interests include the development of educators' conceptual frameworks for teaching at-risk and struggling readers, and the development of intervention models to meet the needs of struggling readers from diverse backgrounds. Since 1999, Dr. Brown has led intervention clinical practica for hundreds of Utah educators. She continues to work with struggling readers on a regular basis because it informs her research and training endeavors. In 1997, Dr. Brown received the University of Utah Graduate School of Education Teaching Award in recognition of her contribution to university teaching. Her work has been published in a number of scholarly journals, including Reading Research Quarterly, The Elementary School Journal, The Journal of Literacy Research, and The Reading Teacher.

Michele Blake graduated with honors -- completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education at Brigham Young University. She received her M.Ed with an emphasis in Reading from the University of Utah. Michele taught Special Education for several years in the Jordan School District, where she also served as Team Leader. Additionally, Michele has had the opportunity to present for the International Reading Association, Utah Branch International Dyslexia Association, and the Utah State Office of Education. Michele has earned certification in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM Triads, and Higher Steps^SM and is a lead trainer for many of those interventions. She is a Wilson Reading System^® (WRS) Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist as well as a Wilson^® Credentialed Trainer. She has been extremely successful in adapting those models for students with learning disabilities and loves working with kids and helping them to become more successful readers.

Katy Bowler graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology. She spent the majority of her college years working with children who had developmental delays. Before joining the UURC, Katy served as an interventionist in Bluffdale, where she worked with K-3 students in reading intervention. Her passion for supporting students in reading led her to pursue this career further. Katy is trained in Orton-Gillingham and certified in the Early Steps℠, Next Steps℠, and Higher Steps℠ models. She is currently working toward certification as a WRS Level I Certified Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner and is thrilled to be part of the UURC team.

Megan Bryant earned a bachelor's degree in special education from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, as well as a master's degree in reading and literacy from the University of Utah. She taught elementary school for ten years in both rural Alaska and Salt Lake City. Megan is certified in Early, Next, and Higher Steps^SM, and is aWRS Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist. Megan worked as an intervention specialist at Fremont Elementary School as part of a joint UURC/Davis School District federal grant for school improvement. Currently, Megan is collaborating with Granite School District and the Juvenile Justice System to train and support volunteer tutors who work with youth in custody at four sites. She additionally trains and supports staff with clinical practica throughout the state. Megan coordinated with the Ministry of Education and Stepping Stones International to train teachers and headmasters in Botswana, Africa, in Tier I text and word study procedures. She collaborated with the University of Utah Education Department and Hinckley Institute to create an internship opportunity in Botswana. Megan is passionate about teaching students and educators, and creating opportunities for reading success. She feels very fortunate to be part of the UURC team and the learning opportunities the clinic continually provides.

Dr. Grace Craig earned a Bachelor of Arts from BYU in Studies of Ancient Greece and Rome and a Master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Teaching Languages with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah. For four years, she taught elementary grades. After joining the UURC staff in 2005, Grace earned certification in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, and Higher Steps^SM and is a lead trainer for these intervention models. Grace is a WRS Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist as well as a Wilson^® Credentialed Trainer.

Holly Dean received a B.A in Special Education and a Master of Education degree from the University of Utah. Holly was a Special Education teacher in the public school system for 8 years. With a focus on reading intervention, she started a Learning Resource Center in the Catholic school system and remained there for another 11 years. During this time, Holly earned certifications in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, and Higher Steps^SM. She became certified as an Early Steps trainer. She is a WRS Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist as well as a Wilson^® Credential Trainer.She is excited to join the UURC to continue working with at-risk and struggling readers and feels fortunate for this opportunity to work with our team; dedicated to learning and promoting educational possibilities for the educators and students we serve.

Breyanna Evans received her B.S. in creative writing from Utah Valley University. Upon graduating, Breyanna worked as a reading intervention aide at Pinnacle Canyon Academy while she obtained her teaching license. She taught secondary English for three years, first for Pinnacle Canyon Academy, and then for American Leadership Academy. During her time teaching, she helped to develop the English curriculum and continued to enhance her skills in reading interventions through part-time work with the UURC. Breyanna has been certified in the Next Steps^SM and Higher Steps^SM. She now works with the UURC full-time as an intervention specialist and mentor. She is working toward being trained in all models offered at the UURC and is excited to continue helping students grow as readers.

Carrie Faulkner received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University. She worked for several years at a Title 1 school, in the Jordan School District, before coming to the UURC. Carrie has earned certification in Early Steps^SM, Early Steps^SM Quads, Next Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM Triads, Higher Steps^SM and is a WRS Level II Certified Wilson ^® Dyslexia Therapist. She is recognized as a Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist by the International Dyslexia Association. Carrie primarily serves as Field Practica Liaison and Instructor for University of Utah pre-service educators, whom she trains and mentors. She also has the opportunity to assist in the professional development of educators in the field -- as trainer, liaison, and support. Carrie recognizes that educators need access to cutting-edge research, so in 2019, she volunteered for an IES-funded Southern Methodist University investigation of instructional practices in Utah SPED and regular classrooms. As part of the UURC team, she is dedicated to helping educators and U of U students learn how to implement effective reading strategies and routines.

Nikki Fellows earned her Associate's Degree from the LDS Business College. She worked in the Salt Lake City School District as secretary to the Director of Food Services. After taking some time off to be a "mom", she went to West Kearns Elementary in Granite School District as a resource room aide. The year 1999 found her in the front office at West Kearns, which is where she had her first contact with Dr. Kathleen Brown and the UURC. Since then, Nikki has been the friendly "face and voice" of the organization in her lynchpin roles in reception, payroll, purchasing, and scheduling. To inform her conversations with parents and students, Nikki earned Next Steps^SM certification and attends reading professional development conferences whenever possible.

Dr. Matt Fields has a B.S. in Applied Physics from Caltech, an M.S. in Educational Technology and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah. As a member of the Reading Clinic, he brings his research and technology background to the study of reading and the development of intervention practices and tools. He currently serves as the Finance, Research, and Technology Manager for the Reading Clinic. He has been trained as a Next Steps^SM tutor and conducts many of the assessments of students who have completed the program.

Megan Gale Megan graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Elementary Education with an ESL endorsement. Megan taught elementary school for 11 years, primarily in 3rd and 4th grade, several of those years were in a Title 1 school with a high population of language learners. Much of her work in the Title 1 school was focused on researched based literacy models and interventions for students experiencing reading difficulty. Megan is LETRS^® certified and has experience with Next Steps^SM and Higher Steps^SM from the UURC. Megan is excited to be part of the UURC community and to continue working with students to improve their literacy skills.

Waverly Golden recently graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelors in strategic communication. I manage and create content on social media platforms for the Reading Clinic. In my free time, I enjoy running, crocheting, painting, and reading.

Sondra Hansen earned a B.A. from the University of Utah in International Studies and Spanish. She has been instrumental in developing the reading intervention program (Next Steps^SM/Higher Steps^SM) at Northwest Middle school in Salt Lake City School District. Because of her love for diverse culture and language, Sondra is a valuable resource for educators seeking to meet the specific needs of ELL students. Sondra is certified in all of the UURC models as well as a WRS Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist. Currently, Sondra enjoys training and assisting in all models, tutoring, and assisting and observing educators in training.

McKenzie Hillman earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah; she holds a Level II Professional Educator License, an Early Childhood Education Endorsement, an ELL Endorsement, and an Instructional Coaching Endorsement. Her educational career started years ago with the Granite School District working with youth in custody. In 2008, McKenzie began working for the Murray City School District teaching kindergarten and first-grade students at Parkside and Viewmont Elementary schools, later becoming the Longview Elementary Instructional Coach. During her years as an instructional coach, McKenzie provided targeted coaching and modeling of high-leverage Tier I instruction and intervention to district educators and paraprofessionals. She is certified in Next StepsSM, Next StepsSM Triads, Higher StepsSM, and Tier I Text. McKenzie believes teaching a child to read is the greatest gift, and her love of reading instruction and intervention is why she joined the UURC team.

Kathryn Hopkins earned a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education and a Master of Education degree in Reading from the University of Delaware. She was a Special Education teacher in the Delaware public schools for 6 years before relocating to Utah. In focusing on reading intervention, she became certified as a WRS Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist. She is excited to be joining the UURC team and continuing to learn research-based instructional models to support students that have challenges with their reading development.

Julie Jaussi earned a Bachelor's degree from BYU. Julie completed a Master of Elementary Education degree in 2011. She comes to the UURC from Jordan School District after having worked in the Title 1 program there for 11 years. She has earned certification in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM Triads, Higher Steps^SM, Tier I Text, Writing About Tier I Text, Tier I Word Study, and is a WRS Level I Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Practitioner. Currently, Julie trains in all models, tutors, assists in training, works with pre-service educators, works with educators assisting with blind and deaf students, and supervises educators in the clinic's intervention models for struggling readers. She is excited to be part of an organization dedicated to assisting struggling readers and helping them develop the skills and motivation to read with success and enjoyment.

Phin Johnson earned their Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Utah. They found a love for one-to-one tutoring through the reading clinic's practica courses through the U. Phin hopes to continue learning about various reading interventions to help support readers of all ages. They also provide technology support for the staff and tutors of the clinic.

Paula Kashiwaeda received a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from the University of Hawaii and a Master's Degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She retired from Ogden School District after teaching students with disabilities at the middle school level for 8 years, and supporting school teams and families as a Special Education Specialist for 22 years. Her passion for the University of Utah Reading Clinic's interventions began in 2009 after completing her WRS Level 1 Certification. Since then, she facilitated professional development for special educators, general educator, and para-educators using the UURC's highly successful clinical practicum model, and earned certification in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, and Higher Steps^SM and is now a WRS Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist. Paula welcomes the opportunity to continue to work with students with reading challenges and the dedicated educators who relentlessly strive to help them.

Sarah Kocherhans holds a B.A. in English and an M.Ed. in Reading and Literacy from the University of Utah. After graduating with her Bachelor's degree, she entered the classroom as a paraprofessional, where she taught 3rd and 4th grade reading for one year while earning her teaching license in Elementary Education. Sarah taught 3rd grade for three years. She is currently a Reading and Literacy doctoral student at the University of Utah. Sarah is trained in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, Higher Steps^SM, and is a WRS Level I Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Practitioner, and her continued goal is to learn more about reading disabilities and literacy development.

Sheree Nalwalker earned an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Development from Southern Utah University. She worked for 16 years as a Title I paraprofessional in the Murray City School District. Sheree is trained in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, Higher Steps^SM and is a WRS Level I Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Practitioner. In 2011 she joined the UURC team as a part-time tutor. She continues to tutor as well as do administrative work in the office, scheduling students and assisting parents.

Rachelle Packer (M.Ed.) earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from Brigham Young University, and a Master’s of Education degree in Reading and Literacy from the University of Utah with an Advanced Reading Endorsement and an Intervention Endorsement. Rachelle has been a Kindergarten, First, Third and Fourth Grade Teacher; Title 1 Intervention Specialist; Language Arts/Literacy Curriculum Developer and Literacy Coach. She has written grants for Early Interventions and K-3 Reading Achievement. Most recently, Rachelle opened and directed a reading intervention unit at American Heritage School in American Fork, UT. She has earned certifications in and taught Early Steps^SM Quads, Next Steps^SM Triads, Higher Steps^SM, Tier I Text, Writing About Tier I Text, Tier I Word Study, and is a WRS Level I Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Practitioner. Currently, Rachelle trains in several models, including Higher Steps Complex Text, Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, Tier I Text, and Tier I Writing. She is thrilled to be working with the talented and dedicated staff at the UURC, who are committed to helping struggling readers develop the skills and motivation necessary to become successful readers.

Karla Padilla-Amador is certified in the Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, and Higher Steps^SM intervention models. She became a WRS Level I Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Practitioner in 2017. Karla was our first specialist to work with students via technology from our Distance Lab. Karla began learning English when she entered Kindergarten and was a struggling reader herself for several years. Educators trained at the UURC helped Karla become academically successful. These experiences have motivated her to help others overcome similar struggles. She is thrilled to continue her journey at the University of Utah Reading Clinic.

Jessi Pitcher earned her B.S. in Elementary Education with minors in TESOL and Dual Immersion Education from Brigham Young University. She taught as a Spanish teacher in the DLI program at Parley's Park Elementary School for six years, both in 1st and 4th grade. During her time as a DLI teacher, she focused on early Spanish literacy acquisition and interventions, as well as boosting primary language skills for ELL students. As a part of the UURC team, she is looking forward to receiving training in all models and is committed to the continued development of the Spanish curriculum.

Lisa Reed graduated from Washington State University in 1977, with a B.A. in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Special Education. Her classroom teaching began in the Experimental Education Unit at the University of Washington. After moving to Utah and securing her Level 2 Teaching License, Lisa was employed at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary, teaching 5th grade and Kindergarten. Lisa Reed joined the UURC full time in 2011 after tutoring 6 years part time for the Clinic in the Ogden area. She is certified in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, Higher Steps^SM and Next Steps^SM Triads. She is a WRS Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist. In 2014, the UURC partnered with the Utah State Office of Education and the Utah Juvenile Justice System and began providing afterschool reading intervention for incarcerated youth at Secure Care Facilities. Lisa works with a team to facilitate these community based volunteer programs at JJS sites around the State. Currently, she also provides professional development for educators in the Utah school system. Lisa is grateful and excited to be part of an organization that values the importance of sound reading instruction and strives to increase the knowledge of educators and readers.

Trina Robbins comes to the University of Utah Reading Clinic from Jordan School District after having worked in their Title 1 program for 11 years. She has earned certification in several reading intervention models, including Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM Triads, Higher Steps^SM, and is a WRS Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist. Trina plays an indispensable role as the UURC clinic coordinator in which she oversees placement and progress of students who receive intervention on-site. She is pleased to have the opportunity to provide professional development to educators throughout the state. Her greatest satisfaction is helping children experience success as they overcome their reading challenges.

Shamae Sabin earned a Bachelor’s degree from the Utah State University where she majored in Elementary Education. Shamae holds a Level III Professional Educator License, an ELL Endorsement, and is currently working towards an Instructional Coaching Endorsement. Her educational career started 23 years ago with the Murray School District teaching in the classroom. Shamae’s time in the classroom were spent in 6th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd grade. In 2005 Shamae began working as Director of the Title I program in Murray School District for Liberty Elementary. During her years as a Title I Director, Shamae certified in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM Triads, Higher Steps^SM, and Higher Steps^SM Quads. For over 10 years Shamae taught paraprofessionals to use these models to help struggling readers. She collaborated with teachers to create programs and instructional models to serve struggling readers in the classroom. Shamae joined the reading clinic working part time as a mentor and interventionist in 2017 and is excited to work as a reading interventionist full time for the clinic as of 2023. She is currently working on becoming Wilson Certified to reach even more students and further her knowledge as a reading interventionist. Shamae has used the University of Utah reading intervention models as a private tutor for over 20 years and finds no greater satisfaction than seeing children overcome reading obstacles and become lifelong readers.

Karen Steele earned both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's in Education from the University of Utah. She began teaching in the Salt Lake City schools in 1985 and served there in the capacity of special education teacher, regular education classroom teacher, interventionist, and literacy coach. She has a Level 3 teaching license in Elementary Education, Special Education, and English as a Second Language. She also received her National Board Certification in 2008. She has earned her certification in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM and Higher Steps^SM from the UURC and trained teachers and staff in these models in the Salt Lake Schools during her tenure as literacy coach. She is WRS Level I Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Practitioner and is currently working on becoming certified as a Wilson Dyslexia Therapist.She currently oversees the after-school distance tutoring program for UURC which provides on-line tutoring for students throughout the state of Utah. Karen has enjoyed a varied and satisfying career in the public school system and is thrilled to be a member of the UURC team where she can continue to mentor teachers and promote research-based intervention models for struggling readers.

Wendy Wittwer received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Utah and is a certified Elementary Educator. Prior to joining the UURC staff, she worked for the Salt Lake City and Davis School Districts. Wendy has earned certification in Early Steps^SM, Next Steps^SM, and Higher Steps^SM intervention models and uses this expertise adeptly as she mentors 100 or so U of U pre-service educators in the field each semester. She is so pleased to be a part of the UURC and enjoys opportunities to continue learning how to best help struggling readers.Wendy is also a WRS Level II Certified Wilson^® Dyslexia Therapist.