Ohio Chapter
In service to our communities in Ohio, we build awareness in the field of dyslexia by providing professional development and community outreach through our expertise and leadership.
Chapter Events
We are dedicated to providing continuing education opportunities that promote the professional growth of our members. Events are worth continuing education hours (CE) to use towards ALTA membership requirements.
Find an Ohio Professional
Our members are made up of individuals with the CALP, CALT, ICALP, or CALT-QI distinction. Find an ALTA-certified professional in your area that represents the highest quality services to those individuals with dyslexia.
Chapter Resources
ALTA Ohio Chapter Roles and Responsibilities
The ALTA Ohio Chapter agrees to adhere to the national organization’s by-laws and ethics.
Members:
- All members in good standing with ALTA National who reside in the state of Ohio are automatically members of the ALTA Ohio Chapter.
Election Schedule and Term Limits:
- Elections will be held every year by September 15th
- Term limits shall not exceed one year for each office
Chapter Leadership:
President
- Convenes and Facilities Leadership Meetings and Chapter Meetings
- Creates agendas for Leadership Meetings and Chapter Meetings
- Monitors Chapter email account
- Participates in the Council of Presidents—ALTA National
- Facilitates communication between the National and Local Chapter
- Submits the Chapter Annual Report to the National ALTA Chapter’s Chair yearly
- Will provide publicity materials to ALTA National as requested
Vice President
- Provides ALTA- OH membership updates at Leadership and Chapter Meetings
- Submits Chapter CE Events to National via the form on ALTAread.org
- Emails Chapter members to raise awareness of CE events
- Monitors Chapter Zoho Drive Membership Reports
- Reaches out to members who did not renew their membership to encourage renewal
- Sends emails to welcome new members to ALTA
Secretary
- Records minutes of Chapter Meetings
- Emails CEH Certificates to attendees within ten days of the event
Treasurer
- Provides updates on the chapter finances and Leadership & Chapter Meeting
- Submits fees and expenses to National via the form on ALTAread.org
Social Media/Website Chair
- Posts to various social media platforms of the chapter according to ALTA standards
- Monitors accounts for messages and response
- Reports to the Vice President
Committees:
Leadership Team Meetings (Consists of Officers of the Chapter)
- Leadership Team meetings should be held at least two times per year. The Leadership Team should meet prior to each chapter meeting.
- Leadership Team meetings will include:
- Officer reports
- Planning of Chapter Events/Meetings
- Communication Updates
Legislative Committee or Chair
- The Legislative Committee will work in conjunction with the ALTA National Legislative Committee
- Will facilitate Dyslexia Simulations with Legislators, school districts, and the general public to raise awareness of dyslexia and how ALTA members can help with the remediation of dyslexia
- Reports to the Vice President
Program Committee or Chair
- Executes Chapter’s plan for hosting CE events or other chapter events
- Assists Leadership Team as needed for hosting events
- Reports to the Vice President
Leadership
ALTA-OH is made up of therapists and practitioners dedicated to providing rigorous evidence-based multisensory structured language education (MSLE) therapy to individuals with dyslexia. Meet the leadership team.
Chelsea Brown
President
Chelsea Brown is an assistant principal in Pickerington Local Schools. She has been in education for over ten years. Previous roles included instructional coach and intervention specialist. Chelsea continues to advocate for structured literacy and training for educators in the science of reading.
Chelsea has received her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Concordia University, her Master’s in Reading Education from Ohio University as well as her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Ohio University.
Chelsea has completed Initial, Advanced, and supervisor courses through the Children’s Dyslexia Center. Her structured literacy certification includes Instructor of Certified Academic Language Practitioner through the Academic Language Therapy Association.
Lori Seymour
Vice President
Lori Seymour is an RTI instructional coach in the Pickerington Local School district. During her 17 years in education, she has been an RTI support teacher and a first, second, and third-grade general education teacher. Lori completed her Initial OG training and CALP certification in 2016 and Advanced Orton Gillingham training in 2022. She is currently completing her supervisor training through the Children’s Dyslexia Center. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Middle Tennessee State University, master’s degree in Reading and Literacy from MaryGrove College, and a Dyslexia Certificate with a K-12 Reading Endorsement from Mount Saint Joseph University.
Elizabeth Brinson
Secretary
Elizabeth Brinson is a Special Education Academic/Behavior coach for Pickerington Local Schools. Before accepting a coaching position, Elizabeth was an intervention specialist for 18 years. In her new position, Elizabeth trains and coaches educators in Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Literacy instruction and academic instructional methods for students receiving specialized instruction.
Elizabeth completed her Initial, Advanced, and Supervisor courses through the Children’s Dyslexia Center. Her structured literacy certifications include Certified Academic Language Practitioner and Supervisor.
Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio Dominican University and her master’s degree from the Ohio State University.
Kelly Dishong
Treasurer
Kelly Dishong is a 20-year educator with Pickerington Local Schools and works as a Supervisor for the Columbus Children’s Dyslexia Center in Dublin. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Ohio University and a license in Early Childhood Education. Additionally, she received her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from The University of Dayton. Kelly has completed the Initial and Advanced Dyslexia Practitioner coursework and practicums through the Children’s Dyslexia Center and is currently training as a Supervisor.
She is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) through the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA).
Meredith Stone
Social Media/Website Chair
Meredith has been in education for 14 years. She is currently working as a Reading Intervention teacher for Bexley City Schools. Meredith has a passion for supporting teachers in their shift to put science at the front of all instructional practices.
Meredith completed her initial-level training at the Children’s Dyslexia Center in 2018 and went on to complete the advanced training. She finished her certification to be a supervisor for the center in 2021 and continues to support teachers in Bexley City Schools in completing their initial level training.
Meredith received her Master’s in Education at Roosevelt University and her Reading Endorsement with Bowling Green State University.
Legislative Committee & Professional Learning Team
| Blythe Wood | Legislative Committee |
| Andrea Rowson | Legislative Committee |
| Jean Colner | Professional Learning Team |
| Jackie Noland | Professional Learning Team |
| Karen Lee | Professional Learning Team |
| Kelly Dishong | Professional Learning Team |