Dyslexia Advisory Council
During the 2016 Legislation Session, the general assembly passed the T.C.A. § 49-1-229 which requires school districts to screen for characteristics of dyslexia through their existing Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI²) procedures and to provide “dyslexia-specific tiered interventions” for students that demonstrate a need.
On January 21, 2021, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted the Tennessee Literacy Success Act (SB7003/HB7002), marking an important point in history for Tennessee students and families. The act outlines a bold policy framework that engages different stakeholders to improve literacy rates in Tennessee. Recognizing the important role that school districts and local boards of education play in education, the act outlines new expectations for how schools and districts will use universal reading screening to assess, monitor, and report on efforts to improve literacy to ensure all children have the reading supports necessary to be successful.
T.C.A. § 49-1-229 also requires the department to convene a multi-stakeholder dyslexia advisory council to guide the statewide dyslexia strategy and district suite of supports. The council will meet quarterly and will report on their work to increase dyslexia screening and identification. This report will be shared with districts, stakeholders and the general assembly.
Agenda and minutes from each meeting are posted below, as available. If you are interested in providing public comment at the dyslexia advisory council, please contact Jessica.Dainty@tn.gov
2025-26 Meeting Information:
September 8, 2025
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
In person: TN School for the Blind
Virtual: Click Here to Join
Meeting Recording: Part 1 | Part 2
December 8, 2025
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
In person: TN School for the Blind
Virtual: Click Here to Join
Meeting Recording: Part 5 | Part 6
February 23, 2026
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
In person: TN School for the Blind
Virtual: Click Here to Join
Meeting Recording - Part 1 | Part 2
June 8, 2026
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Virtual: Click Here to Join
For questions related to the "Say Dyslexia" legislation, please contact the Tennessee Department of Education at Dyslexia.Questions@tn.gov.
Do You Need More Information?
We know that some readers will have trouble learning to read. If you need more information about dyslexia or need to support with a situation involving dyslexia, please contact Dyslexia.Questions@tn.gov .
If you want to be a part of the TN Dyslexia Association, please contact: https://tn.dyslexiaida.org/about-us/
| Council Members | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Lizzette Reynolds | Commissioner of Education | Commissioner.Education@tn.gov |
| Kristy Brown | Chief Academic Officer | Kristy.Brown@tn.gov |
| Jennifer Jordan | Assistant Commissioner of Special Education and Student Supports | Jennifer.Jordan@tn.gov |
| April Ebbinger | Director of Psychological and Behavioral Services, Assessment Specialist | April.Ebbinger@tn.gov |
| Taylor Jenkins | Office of General Counsel | Taylor.Jenkins@tn.gov |
| Jessica Dainty | Manager of Statewide Dyslexia Strategy | Jessica.Dainty@tn.gov |
| TBA, Elementary Teacher | ||
| Wendy O’Neal | Middle Grade Teacher | Wendy.oneal@knoxschools.org |
| Galen Bell | High School Teacher | Bell_galen@hcde.org |
| Shalee Lastoria | Special Education Teacher | |
| Kristin Davis | Speech Language Pathologist | Krisryan0823@gmail.com |
| Andrea Hickok | Parent | arredus@gmail.com |
| Gay Landaiche | Dyslexia Advocacy Group Representative | glandaiche@gmail.com |
| Susan Porter | Ex Officio | Susan.porter@mnps.org |
| Erin Alexander | Ex Officio | Erin.alexander@mtsu.edu |
| Toremika Brown | Administrator | tbrown@promiseacademy.com |
| Alison Atnip | Tier I Instructional Coach | alisonatnip@dekalbschools.net |
| Lauren Derrick | Interventionist | lderrick@athensk8.net |
| Dr. Deborah Reed | Reading Research Center, UTK | Dreed20@utk.edu |
| Haley Richardson | Senior Manager of Intervention | Haley.Richardson@tn.gov |
| Joann Runion | Senior Director of Student Supports | Joann.Runion@tn.gov |
| Raven Cleveland | Senior Coordinator of English Learners | Raven.Cleveland@tn.gov |
| Shaundraya Hersey | Office of Civil Rights | Shaundraya.Hersey@tn.gov |
| Tate Ball | Office of General Counsel | Tate.Ball@tn.gov |
| Michael Holman | Senior Manager of Engagement | Michael.Holman@tn.gov |
5 Questions Parents and Educators Can Ask to Start Conversations
Dyslexia Resource Guide Update
November 2024 Dyslexia Advisory Council Meeting Recording
January 2025 Dyslexia Advisory Council Meeting Recording
September 2025 Dyslexia Advisory Council Meeting Recording
December 2025 Dyslexia Advisory Council Meeting: Part 1 | Part 2