About Us

2026 Board of Directors

Alicia Roberts Frank

President

Alicia is an ELA LAP Coach for North Thurston School District. Previously, she served as a Regional Administrator for Special Programs/Dyslexia Specialist for ESD 113, for which she contracted with OSPI to provide free classes on dyslexia and structured literacy. She holds an Ed.D in Learning and Instruction and is Slingerland trained. She has served on the IDA board in Oregon as well as the State Advisory Board for Special Education and the Council for Exceptional Children. She joined WABIDA to connect her professional work with her personal passion of literacy for all.

Natasha Hayes

Vice President

Natasha Hays is a developmental pediatrician, now retired, who has evaluated children with a large variety of disabilities and has a special interest in dyslexia and dyscalculia. She now tutors children with those diagnoses. She is also the author of A Toss of the Dice (published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers), a book with stories about the children in her medical practice. She has also developed a program for identifying letters and their phonic associations, called My Active Alphabet. She is a strong advocate of establishing required evidence-based curricula for reading in the Washington State public schools.

Ginger Tanneberg

Secretary

Ginger is a secondary educator with over 16 years in the field and deep expertise in structured literacy, MTSS, and special education. She is trained in Slingerland and Wired for Reading, and her passion for dyslexia advocacy began when her son was diagnosed. She has led school- and district-level initiatives focused on data-informed instruction, inclusive practices, and professional learning, with a strong commitment to equity and access for all learners. She holds a Residency Administrator Certificate, National Board Certification in ELA, K–12 Special Education Certification, an M.Ed., and a B.A. in Sociology.

Jennifer Polley

Community Outreach

Jennifer is a K-5 Reading Intervention Specialist in the Lake Chelan School District. As a CERI Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist, she is a dedicated student advocate committed to advancing educational equity and awareness. She brings strengths in outreach, community education, and legislative engagement. Jennifer is eager to support WABIDA’s mission and help expand its reach throughout the community.

K.C. Hansen

Treasurer

K.C. is a Seattle Public Schools educator with expertise in structured literacy and the science of reading. She has led MTSS improvements and professional development at her school to strengthen evidence-based reading instruction. With experience on multiple boards, she brings skills in outreach and program development to WABIDA. Currently Secretary of The Reading League Washington, she is well-connected in local and national literacy networks, and passionate about helping educators and families navigate the shift from balanced to structured literacy.

Madeline Butterfield

Director

Madeline is a structured literacy educator committed to expanding equitable access to high-quality reading instruction. A CERI-certified Dyslexia Interventionist. She holds a Masters in Special Education and a graduate certificate in dyslexia intervention from the University of Florida. She teaches for Seattle Catholic Schools and serves on the Archdiocese’s Executive Committee for Diverse Learners. Madeline brings expertise in morphology, word study, explicit instruction, and intervention, along with a passion for culturally responsive, barrier-free literacy support. As a tutor and advocate, she aims to help grow WABIDA’s impact through outreach, program development, and collaboration.

Stephanie Steinshouer

Director

Stephanie is an educational therapist on Bainbridge Island and the founder of Lokahi Connect, a nonprofit supporting struggling learners and their families. A neurodivergent, dyslexic learner herself, she brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her work. Stephanie holds CERI and NILD certifications and is passionate about expanding community awareness, teacher training, and access to comprehensive dyslexia-informed practices. She collaborates closely with local schools and families to promote equitable literacy support.

Cheryl DeGroot

Director

Cheryl is an elementary Reading Specialist with over 15 years of experience in public schools. She holds an MA in Reading Science from Mount St. Joseph University, where she currently supervises graduate students in the Orton-Gillingham practicum. As a CERI-certified Dyslexia Interventionist, Cheryl’s interest in dyslexia stems from a desire to meet the needs of every student and find what works best for them. She hopes to expand her impact by collaborating with others to ensure that all children can access their right to literacy.

Nicki Bullick/Merry

Director

Nicki Merry, M.Ed., C-SLDI, CALP, is a certified teacher and dyslexia interventionist dedicated to helping children, teens, and adults thrive. She was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult and is passionate about helping others. Nicki has personal insight along with 300+ hours of Orton-Gillingham training, extensive structured-literacy expertise, and ongoing advanced study. Nicki founded Optimize Learning, a tutoring center, to support learners beyond the classroom and remains committed to delivering high-quality, research-based instruction.

Brianna Franzen

Director

Brianna is an OG-trained educator with experience supporting students and families through structured literacy and advocacy work. She holds a Master of Education in Reading and currently teaches 2nd grade, where she is committed to evidence-based reading instruction. Brianna has previously volunteered with the Georgia IDA branch and served youth as a Boys & Girls Club tutor. She enjoys continuing to read, learn, and grow in the science of reading.

Amy Peterson

Director

Amy is an Orton-Gillingham tutor passionate about helping students with dyslexia succeed. She began her career as a Reading Specialist and Learning Support teacher in public schools, where she developed a deep commitment to helping struggling readers, and now runs her own private tutoring practice. She holds a Master’s in Teaching with a special education endorsement, is a CERI-certified Dyslexia Specialist, and certified through the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA). Amy serves on the board of Dyslexia-Language Skills Therapy, a Portland-based non-profit connecting certified tutors with families and hosting community outreach events. She joined WABIDA to advocate for equitable access to quality reading instruction for all.

Sara Hedlund

Director

Sara is the Literacy Coordinator for ESD 123 in the Tri-Cities, where she supports schools in evidence-based reading instruction and statewide literacy initiatives. With experience on multiple boards, she brings strong outreach skills, deep professional networks, and a commitment to advocating for students, including her work as a parent of a child with ADHD. Sara is passionate about expanding access to research-based literacy practices across Washington and strengthening WABIDA’s presence in underserved regions.

Jennifer O'Shea

Director

Jennifer is a passionate educator, union leader, and literacy advocate in Eastern Washington. A longtime teacher and current co-president of her district’s union, she brings extensive experience in membership outreach, program development, and equity work. Jennifer has led National Board programs, coordinated reading initiatives through the Spokane Valley Library system, and actively supports students and educators, motivated in part by her own daughter’s dyslexia. She is committed to expanding WABIDA’s reach and strengthening community engagement across the region.

Mary McFarlin

Director

Mary is a structured literacy educator, presenter, and business owner with deep expertise in morphology and Orton-Gillingham based instruction. She has authored morphology instructional materials and is passionate about supporting older students. Mary brings strong organizational, communication, and event-planning experience, along with networks across Vashon schools, homeschool communities, and national literacy groups. She is an active advocate who promotes evidence-based reading practices through her work, presentations, and online Morphology Teachers Hub community.

Becca Boston

Director

Becca is an experienced program coordinator and dyslexia advocate who brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She has been involved with IDA and PBIDA through conferences, simulations, and speaking engagements, and currently coordinates programs for NAMI Pierce County.