Tim Odegard, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Middle Tennessee State University. He holds the Murfree Chair of Excellence and leads the Tennessee Center for Dyslexia. He also serves as the editor-in-chief of Annals of Dyslexia and a consulting editor of the Journal of Learning Disabilities. He is a past editor at large for Perspectives on Language and Literacy. He is a contributing author to the IDA knowledge and practice standards for teachers of reading. His work extends to putting research into practice by supporting efforts in the U.S. and Canada through service leadership to ensure the human rights of literacy for all learners. He has received the Innovator Award from the IMSLEC, the Luke Waits Service Award from ALTA, the Massey-Sexton Dyslexia Advocacy Award from the Tennessee Branch IDA, the AIM Institute Founder’s Award, and the Research Excellence Award from the University of Texas, Arlington.

Dyslexia’s Impact on Literacy and Well Being 

In our evolving understanding of dyslexia, recent insights reveal a complex risk-resiliency model that underscores the interplay between individual factors and environmental influences on dyslexia and its severity. Beyond its impact on reading and writing, dyslexia’s primary characteristics significantly affect mental health and overall well-being. These modern realities challenge us to consider how we define, approach, and address dyslexia. This keynote explores the implications of word-level difficulties characteristic of dyslexia on mental health and examines strategies to address the mental health challenges prevalent among individuals with dyslexia. 

Topics: Dyslexia 101, Dyslexia Therapy/Intervention

Dr. Tracy White-Weeden is a global keynote speaker, a forward-thinking leader, and a fervent literacy advocate. She advocates for literacy as a fundamental human right of the 21st century. With over 28 years of educational leadership experience, she has devoted her life to co-creating evidence-aligned innovative programs. These programs, propelled by exceptional teams, create transformative educational outcomes for children and adults. As the President and CEO of Neuhaus Education Center (NEC), White-Weeden inspires stakeholders and advocates to champion a vision of Literacy for All. Drawing on her extensive experience with change management, she provides valuable counsel to accelerate literacy results, regardless of zip code. This involves empowering educators to propel students to proficient and advanced levels of achievement. White-Weeden’s unwavering dedication extends to serving all children and families, with respect for the dialect or the home language they are loved in. She provides consultation to state department representatives, central office leaders, and school principals on change management linked to implementation science. Her commitment is evident whether the setting is urban, suburban, or rural. She firmly believes in empowering educators to become the most impactful change agents in society. White-Weeden believes that when educators are apprenticed based on proven science, they win at their work. By elevating effective literacy transformation for nonprofit, university, public, charter, and private school communities, White-Weeden is dedicated to transforming the family tree through literacy.

Literacy as a Human Right for All – Our Collective Moonshot

In the 21st-century knowledge economy, literacy is crucial for both children and adults to thrive. Failing to teach language structure can contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline, particularly affecting the most vulnerable. As a literacy ally, your role is pivotal in fostering a movement that prioritizes reading success for everyone, including children and adults with dyslexia.