ABOUT US 

Dyslexia Education Director 

Rhonda Smith received her undergraduate degree from The University of Alabama and Master of Education in Dyslexia Therapy from Mississippi College. She has been a CALT since 2018 and obtained her QI certification through the Dyslexia Resource Center in 2022. Before joining the DRC she was a Dyslexia Interventionist (5 years) for a public school system in Alabama. Prior to joining public education, she was the Dyslexia Interventionist (3 years) for a local private school and the Executive Director of Sylvan Learning Centers in North Alabama for over 15 years and the owner of dyslexia therapy centers in North Alabama for 5 years. Rhonda joined the DRC as a Dyslexia Education Specialist overseeing the online therapy program, online training services, and online professional development. She continues to serve her community by being on the Boaz City Board of Education, president of the Alabama ALTA chapter, and currently a member of the Alabama Literacy Task Force. She and her husband reside in North Alabama and have three children. They are both active in their local community and church. Rhonda enjoys the beach, reading, and scrapbooking. 

Senior Manager of Dyslexia Testing 

Sarah obtained her bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Elementary Education, grades 1-5 in 2013. After graduating, she began teaching at Louisiana Key Academy and began her training in Neuhaus’ Basic Language Skills program. Sarah received her CALT certification in 2019, and then undertook her master’s program in SPED-Orton Gillingham, finishing in 2021. For nine years, Sarah taught 2nd through to 7th grade at LKA, in all subject areas. She has worked as a reading and writing coach. Sarah joined the Dyslexia Resource Center in 2022. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys walking, being with her dog, Blossom, and watching TV with her husband. 

Operations Assistant 

Kerry Eastwick worked for many years in many careers before she decided to live her dream of educating people who struggled to fit into mainstream schooling. This led her to a 14-year career as a teacher in schools with high rates of trauma. Wishing to increase her understanding of learning difficulties and disabilities, Kerry completed a Master of Education (Special Education) from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. She used this to actively improve understanding of learning difficulties at her school and help students with difficulties overcome them. When Kerry relocated from coastal Australia to Louisiana, USA, she took the opportunity to become our Operations Manager. When she is not working, Kerry enjoys experiencing Louisiana. Her favorite activities are meeting locals and standing on the banks of the Mississippi. 

Dyslexia Evaluator 

Jennifer attended Southeastern Louisiana University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. From there she taught for 24 years in both public and catholic schools. For 20 of those years, Jennifer taught reading intervention working with students with dyslexia. Jennifer's passion is to teach reading and make it fun. She studied her dyslexia therapy course with Kayla Reggio at the Dyslexia Resource Center and she joined the DRC in 2022 as a Dyslexia Evaluator. 

 Jennifer and her husband, Lance, have been married for twenty-one years. They have a sixteen-year-old son, Philip. They also have a Shih Tzu dog, named Maddie. In her free time, Jennifer likes to go on walks, shop, read, decorate for the holidays, and spend quality time outdoors with her family.

Educational Consultant 

Kayla Reggio graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas with a Masters of Education and concentration in Language Therapy. She went on to receive her Certificate of Advanced Studies through SMU and holds the credentials of a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor with the Academic Language Therapy Association, the national certifying board for dyslexia professionals. She has spent the last decade working in dyslexia education providing academic language therapy to students, certifying therapists across the state of Louisiana and beyond, and partnering with schools and districts regarding evidence-based practices for dyslexic students. Through her work at the Dyslexia Resource Center, she created the only dyslexia professional accredited program in the state of Louisiana. 

Course Instructor 

Suzanne Petty is a CALT-QI and the current president of the Louisiana ALTA chapter. She and Dr. Laura Cassidy co-founded Louisiana Key Academy in 2013 in response to the severe lack of instructional resources and support systems for their own dyslexic children and thousands more like them in Louisiana.  As her journey in the field of dyslexia developed, Suzanne acquired an MEd in Special Education and then completed an MEd in Dyslexia Therapy from William Carey University.  She has practiced as a special education resource teacher in the public school setting, private therapist, small group therapist for 3rd through 5th grade students, and lead and supported instruction and curriculum development, student placement and fundraising initiatives during her tenure at Louisiana Key Academy.  Suzanne brings a wealth of experience to the DRC. 

Dyslexia Evaluator 

Jennifer Billings has been an educator for many years. Before the Dyslexia Resource Center, Jennifer worked at the Louisiana Key Academy where she started in the classroom, moved to intervention, and oversaw 1st to 5th Grade for reading and other curriculum. Jennifer started work with the DRC in 2022 as a dyslexia evaluator.  

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys travelling to see her grand children, and tending to her garden. 

 

Dyslexia Evaluator 

Jennifer graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. In 2011, she obtained her 

certification in Special Education from Louisiana State University. For 17 years, she worked in Ascension Parish schools as both a classroom and special education teacher. 

She has been teaching at Louisiana Key Academy since 2019 and has recently completed dyslexia therapy training to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She joined the Dyslexia Resource Center as an evaluator in June of 2023. 

Jennifer has three children and two grandchildren. She now lives with her husband John, their cat Louie, and their dog Roux. In her free time, she enjoys taking day trips around Louisiana, going to vintage antique shops, and drawing. 

Dyslexia Therapist 

Melana Lloyd is an Educationalist who focuses on literacy and the intersection of the performing arts. A certified teacher of dance, theater and talented theater, she has served as an English Language Arts Specialist, Art Integration Advisor, Literacy Coach, Interventionist, High School Humanities Teacher and Kindergarten Teacher.  Melana has made an impact on student growth, confidence and performance in reading for over 20 years.  Her favorite quotes are: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been” (George Elliot) and “ Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the live you’ve always imagined” (Henry David Thoreau). 

Dyslexia Therapist 

Rhonda obtained her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in Elementary Education and her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Dallas Baptist University.  She received her CALT certification in 2022. For over 20 years, Rhonda taught all subject areas to 3rd- 5th graders at The June Shelton School in Dallas, Texas.  Rhonda trained and began teaching The Association Method in 2010 and obtained her therapy level in 2022.  Rhonda's love for teaching kids with Dyslexia and other related disorders is evidenced through her continued education. This past year, Rhonda followed her dream of moving to Colorado with her husband, two boys and three dogs. They enjoy hiking, biking, and soaking up everything the state offers.  

Dyslexia Therapist 

Casey Standridge has a Master's degree in Special Education from the University of Central Arkansas and an Educational Specialist Degree in Special Education Leadership from Arkansas State University. Casey has worked with children with exceptionalities for eught years in many different capacities. She started her journey to CALT almost two years ago and will finish the program in the summer. Casey knows helping children learn to be fluent readers is one of the most important tools we can give them for their future. She and her family love to travel, especially to Disney! 

Bennett Shaywitz, M.D., is a physician-scientist, the Charles and Helen Schwab Professor in Dyslexia and Learning Development, and Co-Director of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity at the Yale University School of Medicine. As a child neurologist and neuroscientist, he is a leader in applying Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to understand the neurobiology of reading and dyslexia in children and adults. These studies identified a neural signature of dyslexia, making a previously hidden disability visible, and for the first time demonstrated the brain basis for the lack of fluency in dyslexia. Dr. Shaywitz’s recent studies focus on differences in brain connectivity between dyslexic and typical reading children and adults. Studies in progress use fMRI to investigate attentional mechanisms in reading and dyslexia. 

The author of over 350 scientific papers, his honors include election to membership in the National Academy of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Washington University. He currently serves on the Boards of the Park Century School and the Westmark School. Bennett previously served on the Institute of Medicine Immunization Safety Review Committee, the National Vaccine Program Safety Subcommittee, and the Scientific Advisory Board of the March of Dimes. He has been selected annually for Best Doctors in America and America’s Top Doctor.

Bennett, along with his wife Sally, have been instrumental in furthering dyslexia research. Their life long passion has touched many lives and continues to do so today with the pair refusing to retire.

Sally Shaywitz, M.D. is a physician-scientist, the Audrey G. Ratner Professor in Learning Development, and Co-Director of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity at the Yale University School of Medicine. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine within the National Academy of Sciences and co-chaired the National Council Committee on Gender Differences in the Careers of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Faculty. Dr. Shaywitz served on the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS); the National Research Council Committee on Women in Science and Engineering; the Congressionally-mandated National Reading Panel; and the Committee to Prevent Reading Difficulties in Young Children of the National Research Council.  

 

Dr. Shaywtiz is the author of Overcoming Dyslexia, a book that presents the latest scientific advances in dyslexia, practical approaches and interventions for parents and educators, as well as over 350 scientific papers. 

Dr. Laura Cassidy graduated from the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama Medical School. After choosing to be a General Surgeon, she was accepted to the Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles where she finished her residency and served, in her final year, as Chief Resident. 

In California, she met her future husband, Bill Cassidy. After marrying Bill and practicing General Surgery in LA, she and Bill moved to Baton Rouge in 1989, joining the faculty of the LSU Health Science Center; Laura, as Chief of Surgery, at the teaching hospital where they served. 

Laura later entered private practice treating diseases of the breast. She was the first woman in Louisiana to focus her surgical practice on breast cancer. Laura advanced breast conservation surgery, sentinel node biopsies, and other treatment options for women with breast cancer. 

She left her practice in 2006 for other challenges, first and foremost raising her and Bill’s three children. During this time, they discovered that their youngest child–Kate–was dyslexic. This led Laura on a journey to find appropriate education for Kate*. Because of this experience, she and two other women started the Louisiana Key Academy, a public charter school for children with dyslexia so that all families, regardless of personal circumstances can access appropriate evidence-based education. 

  

Laura continues as President of the Board. She and Bill work with Drs. Sally and Bennett Shaywitz advocating for people with dyslexia at a national level. 

*Kate was not educated at the Louisiana Key Academy. 

Ralph Stephens is a CPA. He retired as a director from Postlethwaite and Netterville after over 40 years with the firm. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Baton Rouge Bar Association, the American Institute of CPAs, and the Society of Louisiana CPAs. 

Some of his current civic associations include Law Studies teacher at Catholic High School, serving on the board of over several charities including the Louisiana Key Academy, TRUCE and Louisiana Pediatric Cardiology Foundation, and a member of the Executive committee of St. Vincent de Paul. 

 In the past, he has served as President of the Boards of Directors of The Arts Council of Greater Baton Roue, Big Buddy, Hospice of Baton Rouge, Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni, Louisiana Business and Technology Center, Louisiana Family Recovery Corps, SJA Foundation, and Sacred Heart School Board.

Judy David, MA, CCC-SLP is a Speech and Language Pathologist in private practice at Chesney Center. She has a special interest in language-based disorders of reading and written expression. She took a special interest in Louisiana Key Academy because she has a child and a grandchild diagnosed with dyslexia 

Erica McGeachy Crenshaw, a former Wall Street equity research analyst, left leading global investment bank Goldman Sachs in 2002 upon purchasing the Brooklyn, NY rights to AmeriSpec Inspection Services, the leading home inspection company in North America with over 400 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. She subsequently engineered the acquisition of four additional territories in Queens and Long Island, NY. Within three years, Mrs. Crenshaw grew the business at a rapid clip and became one of the top 20 franchise owners in the AmeriSpec system. 

After exiting AmeriSpec, Mrs. Crenshaw launched Execute Now! an outsourced finance and accounting firm. The company provides day‐to‐day strategic finance and accounting services to non‐profit organizations, charter schools, foundations, and school districts around the country. During her tenure as the Founder and CEO, Mrs. Crenshaw published 

several articles about financial and executive leadership and strategic initiatives related to nonprofits. 

Mrs. Crenshaw sold Execute Now! after five years in 2016 and currently spends time developing service projects which include Vantage Points, a race and culture-related set of dialogues. This program was originally launched in 2019 at Providence Day School in Charlotte, N.C. Mrs. Crenshaw effectively created a space for meaningful dialogue among groups with diverse backgrounds and points of view. She continues this work at her daughter’s current school, George School in Newtown, PA. 

In addition, she is the former Founding Vice-Chair of Carolina Youth Coalition, which she helped launch in 2017. Among the many start-up responsibilities, she developed the organization’s long-term financial and strategic plans and investment policy. She also leads financial planning discussions with the organization’s investment managers. 

Other board service includes Louisiana Key Academy’s Dyslexic Resource Center (DRC). She is a strategic advisor and mentor to the executive director. As a founding member of this board, Mrs. Crenshaw has helped the organization develop business models around dyslexic screening and certifications in the open market. Under Mrs. Crenshaw’s financial 

guidance and leadership, the DRC recently secured a multi-year contract with the University of Alabama. 

Past board experiences include the following: Ascension Economic Development Corp (Board Treasurer 2014-2016), Center for Planning Excellence, East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority Advisory Board, The Lady of Our Lake College Foundation and Louisiana Key Academy. She was also a member of the Aspen Institute Society of Fellows’ the Vanguard Chapter and The Rotary Club of Baton Rouge. Mrs. Crenshaw is a Chinese culture enthusiast who worked at the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade in Shanghai, China while earning her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Florida A&M University’s School of Business and Industry. 

In addition to being invited by organizations to speak to other entrepreneurs around the country, Mrs. Crenshaw has also been featured in several newspapers and magazines such as the following: Black Enterprise, Essence Magazine, New York Post, Real Estate New York Magazine, The Baton Rouge Business Report, and The New York Amsterdam News. She has also been a featured guest speaker on various radio programs and podcast based in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, New York City, and Washington, D.C. The NYC Commission on Women’s Issues recognized her as an exceptional role model for other would‐be entrepreneurs across the country. 

Mrs. Crenshaw has also been the guest speaker at select conferences around the country hosted by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C., W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and many nonprofit state associations around the country. 

As a retiree, Mrs. Crenshaw’s primary goal is to have more impact in her community. Her two mottos are “bloom where you are planted – serve with urgency” and “it is a blessing to be a blessing to others.” In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, playing Mah Jong, horseback riding, studying Mandarin, and boating and fishing with her husband. She lives in the Kansas City, Missouri area with her husband, Lorin Crenshaw, and 16-year-old boarding school daughter, who is a junior at George School. 

David W. Smith has an MBA in Finance from Indiana University and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University. He has been a sales management professional for the past 30 years working for Fortune 300 firms. David also serves on the board of the Louisiana Key Academy. 

He has a family association with dyslexia and is incredibly proud that his eldest daughter worked out how to manage her dyslexia, graduating Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi with a double major in Mathematics and Graphic Arts.