About Us – Dyslexia St. Louis

WHO WE ARE

Dyslexia St. Louis: Learning & Advocacy Center

Mary Kaeser-Miller

Co-Founder of Dyslexia St. Louis

Mary Kaeser-Miller has over 30 years of experience educating children. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and continued her education at Maryville University. She taught kindergarten and first grade for over 10 years, has been a Sunday school coordinator and is a Certified Barton Reading Coach. Mary prides herself on the relationships she builds with her students and the success of teaching her students to read.

Mary strives to help her students embrace their strengths, improve self-confidence and rediscover the joy of learning. She has great success in helping struggling readers unlock the reading code, increase reading fluency, and become better spellers.

Mary is passionate about connecting the dyslexic community and assisting families along their journey by providing evidence-based resources.

She is the founder of Dyslexia St. Louis Parent and Professional Support Facebook Group. She is a member of the International Dyslexia Association and served on the board of KS-MO International Dyslexia Association.

Her son, who has dyslexia, was her inspiration for opening Dyslexia St. Louis: Learning and Advocacy center.

Sarah Bartley

Co-Founder of Dyslexia St. Louis

Sarah Bartley is the co-founder of Dyslexia St. Louis Learning and Advocacy Center. She is an experienced educational advocate with extensive knowledge of the IEP and 504 Plan process. Sarah takes pride in the trusting relationships she builds with clients and uses her tenacious spirit to empower parents and advocate for children.

Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Phoenix. Her experience advocating for her son with dyslexia helps her relate to others and fuels her desire to help families with similar stories. She has completed advocacy trainings through COPAA (Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys) Dyslexia Training Institute, and Wrightslaw. Sarah also uses her experience and knowledge to provide professional development trainings on dyslexia to educators and school districts.

Sarah served as a board member on the Kansas Missouri Branch of the International Dyslexia Association from 2017 until 2019. As a member of International Dyslexia Association and Council of Parents Advocates and Attorneys, Sarah stays involved and current on issues that impact children with disabilities.

Sarah’s inspiration for opening Dyslexia St. Louis Learning and Advocacy Center is her son with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. She understands the struggle and hardships that come with parenting a child who is struggling. Sarah believes every child deserves to have a champion that won’t give up until his/her needs are met.

When she isn’t working, Sarah enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is equally passionate about beach vacations, adventure and the perfect afternoon nap.

Dyslexia St. Louis In the News

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Dyslexia St. Louis: Learning & Advocacy Center

Reading Coaches

Masters Degrees

Students

475

Years Teaching

Our Teachers

Shelly S.

Reading Coach

Shelly is an experienced educator with over thirty years of work in public education. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and Middle School Language Arts from the University of Missouri St. Louis, along with certifications as a Reading Specialist and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is also a National Board-Certified Literacy Specialist. Shelly retired from the Francis Howell School District in June 2022, starting as a first-grade teacher, and concluding her career as a Literacy Coach. With a strong passion for literacy and learning, Shelly has received extensive training and...

Paige P.

Reading Coach

Paige is embarking on her 9th year of teaching, with the last 5 of those years teaching kindergarten. She recently received her Master's in Reading from Webster University and is working towards her Certificate in Dyslexia. Paige finds tremendous fulfillment in both preventing reading difficulties among her kindergarteners and providing essential support to struggling readers as a tutor for Dyslexia STL. She firmly believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to learn to read and is dedicated to helping her students achieve this vital skill. Immersing herself in...

Nicole M.

Reading Coach

Nicole Myers boasts a 22-year tenure in the field of education, demonstrating extensive expertise in catering to students with developmental delays from ages 3 to 21. Possessing a specialized teaching certification in special education, Nicole also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership, supplemented by a specialist's degree in the same domain. Currently she is completing a doctoral degree in Teaching and Learning. Nicole loves working with children and families to help them gain the skills and confidence to be everyday learners.

Melissa R.

Reading Coach

Melissa has a B.S. in English from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Masters in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Missouri Baptist University. She has 16 years of classroom teaching experience and is currently teaching kindergarten. Melissa loves teaching kindergarten and watching her students gain growth in such a short time. She loves working with children to overcome struggles and become more confident. When not teaching, Melissa loves spending time with her family, hiking, reading, and watching her son’s hockey games.

Mary W.

Reading Coach

Mary has been an elementary educator for over 20 years. She has 2 Masters degrees, and is certified to teach birth - 8th grades with Dyslexia & Reading Specialist certifications. Mary is proud and happy to say she has been with Dyslexia St. Louis since May 2018. She is also very proud to be married for 29 years, and has 3 sons, 3 dogs, 2 birds and 11 chickens. She likes to read, play piano and travel.

Katie M.

Reading Coach

Katie is excited to begin her journey at Dyslexia St. Louis after being a special education teacher in the Kirkwood district for 10 years. Having spent most of her career working with middle school aged students, Katie is also a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner and a certified Wilson tutor. Katie loves watching students overcome obstacles and excel in reading and spelling skills that have been challenging for them in the past. When she is not tutoring, Katie enjoys biking, walking her dog, reading, gardening, and spending time with family.

Karen H.

Reading Coach

Karen has 27 years of experience teaching in special education. Currently, she is teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in the Fox C-6 School District. Wanting to learn more about Dyslexia and make a difference for struggling readers, she began working at Dyslexia St. Louis in June 2018. She loves the relationships she is able to build with her students and their families. Also, the progress she sees her students making is extremely rewarding.

Jenny B.

Reading Coach

Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Creighton University in Occupational Therapy and has worked in a variety of settings. Jennifer had a career pivot after her daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia and in 2021 joined Dyslexia St. Louis to combine her newfound passion for dyslexia into practice with her OT background. She received her Barton Certification in 2023. Jennifer loves helping children discover their best styles for learning, incorporating movement in learning, and building their confidence. She is very passionate about education, making connections in the community, and helping families find the support they need.

Janie S.

Reading Coach

Janie is a Special Education Teacher and has taught in both regular and special education elementary classrooms for the last 25 years. She has a Masters degree in Reading and was a National Board Certified Teacher. She is passionate about helping all students become readers and become more confident. She understands the hardships it comes with parenting a child with a disability and works hard to advocate for all students. She has a 19-year-old daughter, a 14-year old son, and two dogs that keep her busy when she isn't working. She also enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Georgia W.

Reading Coach

Georgia currently works as a Reading Specialist of 15 years, in the St. Charles School District. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's +30 in Special Reading, from Webster University. She served as a classroom teacher for 8 years and is very passionate about helping learners with reading challenges. Georgia is a Reading Coach at Dyslexia St. Louis and enjoys helping learners succeed and grow.

Cheri A.

Reading Coach

Cheri Alloway has 30 plus years experience as an elementary school teacher who taught 2nd- 4th grades in the Francis Howell School District. Since retiring in 2018, she spends lots of time enjoying outdoor activities, like riding her bike on the Katy trail and gardening. She also enjoys canning vegetables. Cheri joined Dyslexia St. Louis in 2022 as a Reading Coach at the St. Peters location.

Beth M.

Reading Coach

Beth has her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a TESOL certificate. She has over 5 years of experience teaching and tutoring students PreK – middle school. She currently is an ELL specialist and works with multilingual learners in 4th and 5th grade. She is passionate about helping students become confident with their reading and writing skills. She enjoys getting to know her students and discovering how they learn best. Beth loves to read, drink coffee and travel. She is a mom to 3 daughters and 1 dog named River.

Andrea A.

Reading Coach

Andrea is a certified reading specialist with over 35 years of teaching experience. She has worked for two area school districts as both a classroom teacher and a reading specialist, supporting students in grades K-6. Andrea is grateful to be a part of such a knowledgeable and caring team of reading coaches at Dyslexia St. Louis. She enjoys working with students and being able to support them as they become more confident readers and writers. Andrea has two grown daughters who live and work in the St. Louis area. She has a 14 year old Dachshund named Daisy who keeps her active. Andrea also enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering, walking and reading.

Adam N.

Reading Coach

Adam has 7 years of experience as a special education resource teacher. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Missouri Baptist University, his Master of Education from Western Governor’s University, and his Educational Specialist Degree from Northwest Missouri State University. He is passionate in assisting struggling readers build their skills and confidence in order to obtain their goals and unlock their full potential. He truly enjoys watching students’ excitement when they overcome challenges. While not he is not teaching, Adam is rooting on the Cardinals and Blues, spending time with family, and enjoying the outdoors.

Denise B.

Reading Coach

Denise has been in education for over 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in special education and has a Master’s Degree in school counseling. Denise enjoys working with students to overcome academic struggles and to become confident, life-long learners. Denise has been married since 2000 and has two young adult children. She enjoys watching her son play college soccer, relaxing in the sun with her two mini dachshunds, and spending time with her family.

Christine N.

Reading Coach

Christine has 16 years of experience in teaching. She started working at Dyslexia St. Louis: Learning and Advocacy Center in 2018. Christine loves working with children and helping them develop the skills necessary to become life long learners. When Christine is not teaching, she enjoys volunteering at Ready Readers. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, needlepointing and exercising.

Melody W.

Reading Coach

Melody has over 23 years of teaching experience. She has taught first, second and third grades for the majority of her career. For the past 5 years, she has been an ELL Specialist working with dual language students. As an ELL Specialist, she designs and provides supports to make the English language accessible. She also provides Kathy began her teaching career as a classroom teacher and eventually started and designed the curriculum for a Junior Kindergarten at her church preschool...

Kathy G.

Reading Coach

Kathy began her teaching career as a classroom teacher and eventually started and designed the curriculum for a Junior Kindergarten at her church preschool. She has always loved teaching, but found her passion in working with children with dyslexia. This passion led her to become a Certified Barton Tutor. She’s seen firsthand the life-changing impact that explicit reading instruction has with her dyslexic son, and absolutely loves seeing the same amazing progress with her students. When she’s not tutoring, Kathy enjoys spending time with her family, reading and running.

Melissa B.

Reading Coach

Melissa is a Special Education Teacher and has been teaching special education since 2005 at the middle school and elementary levels. She has been working at Dyslexia St. Louis since August 2018 and is a Barton Certified Reading Coach. She has always loved working with struggling readers. She became even more passionate about wanting to help children overcoming their reading challenges after her youngest was struggling in reading. She feels strongly that reading impacts all areas of academics, and therefore is the most important skill to master. She loves nothing more than to see her students succeed...

Leslie W.

Reading Coach

Leslie is a certified reading specialist with over fifteen years of teaching experience. For the past nine years, she has taught reading in grades K – 2 at a local school district. Leslie will be starting her third year as a Reading Coach at Dyslexia St. Louis in January 2021, and she loves seeing her students thrive as they progress through the Barton levels. Leslie is an avid walker and loves to traverse her neighborhood with her husband and three children.

Kaye R.

Reading Coach

Kaye has over 30 years’ experience teaching and tutoring students pre-K – 5th grade with a focus on literacy instruction. This experience and love of teaching literacy broughther to Dyslexia St. Louis one year ago. Kaye feels so lucky that she is allowed the opportunity to work with students who need help and support. She gets to help them build their skills in reading while also building their confidence. Kaye loves to try new things so, after 25 years in the classroom, Lindbergh School District gave her the opportunity to move to all virtual. She instructs 2nd-grade students for both Concord and Dressel Elementary. This schedule requires great patience and understanding fromher husband Jeff. She has two adult children and enjoys reading, movies, live music, Blues Hockey, and Cardinals Baseball.

Donna M.

Reading Coach

After teaching high school business classes for 30 years in New York and Missouri, Donna is happily tutoring as a Reading Coach for Dyslexia St. Louis, traveling, reading, cooking and visiting with family and friends. Donna loves working with young people, helping them gain skills and watch their confidence increase.

Caitlin M.

Reading Coach

Caitlin has 17 years of experience working with students at the middle school level as both a special education teacher, and a reading specialist. She has also served as the reading department chair and building dyslexia trainer. Caitlin’s favorite moments in teaching come from watching her students experience the joy of reading and realizing that they are full of potential. She has three wonderful, young children, a loving husband, and an adorable, newly adopted, pup. Caitlin enjoys baking, reading, spending time with her family, and lifting weights.