Come Read with Me

Come Read with Me Staff:

• Must genuinely enjoy adults with developmental disabilities

• Must honestly believe our students have the capacity and desire to learn

Lead Teacher requirements:

• Kathleen Coleman
  
  Email address: kaseyy@mac.com
  Responsibilities: Lead Teacher; Music Therapist
  Course(s) taught: Social Skills Class
  Education: SMU Bachelor of Music, Master of Music Therapy
  Occupational Background: Music therapist for 27 years; a number of years for various school districts, and in the last 15 years in private practice; Presents training at various conferences
  Other interests: I have been married for 17 years; no children but have 3 nieces and one nephew. One of my main hobbies is working with dachshund rescue, and training and showing several of my own dachshunds in dog agility.
• What I love about CRWM: It’s positive, mentally stimulating environment and emphasis on what people can do–and on developing their interests through the classes offered. I love working with adults with cognitive challenges; they have life experiences they bring to the table and despite the challenges, they always provide interesting perspectives and approaches to whatever we are learning.

• Marie Deande
  
  Email address: Mdeande2003@yahoo.com
  Responsibilities: Lead Teacher
  Course(s) taught: Social Skills/Fun in the Sun
  Education: Bachelor of Education
  Occupational Background: HEBISD teacher
  Other interests: Children!!!
• Debbie Donaldson
  
  Email address: bdonaldson@star-telegram.com
  Responsibilities: Cooking Teacher
  Course(s) taught: Cooking and Leisure
  Education:
  Occupational Background: medical lab
  Other interests: Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels, church activities
• Martha Kate Downey
  
  Email address: mk.downey@comereadwithme.us
  Responsibilities: Lead Teacher; Executive Director; private reading tutoring
  Course(s) taught: Reading/math/ substitute teacher for all other classes
  Education: Bachelor Degree in Social Work Texas Tech University 1973
  Occupational Background: Author, speaker, educator but mainly just Mom (including some fairly boring information for those needing background material):
  • Caseworker for Tarrant County Child Protective Services (State of Texas)
  • Easter Bunny…don’t ask!
  • Homeschooler 24 years
  • Instructor of life skills and decision-making skills in Texas high schools, Temple Junior College, Temple, Texas
  • Instructor for creative writing course for Texas homeschooling students via classroom and internet sites
  • Developer and co-instructor for Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Texas summer program for maintaining math and reading skills through the summer (Just for Fun classes)
  • Reading tutor for struggling learners since age 12. Volunteering in schools, churches and with clients of MHMR (Mental Health Mental Retardation – State of Texas)
  • Owner of stained glass studio “Glass by MK” 14 years – did lots of front doors and church windows
  • Author and illustrator of:
  If you’ve ever wanted to crawl in the closet with an OREO…(first and second editions) copyright 2000, 2003;
  TAP DANCING in the night copyright 2001;
  The People in a Girl’s Life copyright 2002;
  What Do I Do About Hitting?! copyright 2003;
  Travelling Grace as I meander with God copyright 2004
  • Public speaker, educator for and about autism and the more general special needs population around the United States and the UK
  • Member of and past moderator for DANISH (Dallas Asperger Network for Information, Support and Help)
  • Advisory Board Member – North Texas SNAP, Inc. (Special Needs Assistance Partners)
  • Board Member – DIAL (Developing Independent Adult Living) in Tarrant Co.
  • Founder of Steps to Support for All – an association working to promote funding and programs for those who are aging or have special needs in the state of Texas.
  • Member of the Family Support Council of Tarrant County MHMR
  • Founder and Executive Director of the Come Read with Me program
  Other interests: Music, art Most important interest: Grandmothering!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Gillian Edwards
• Email address:gill.edwards@comereadwithme.us
• Responsibilities: Lead teacher
• Courses taught: Reading, Computers
• Education: BS (Honors) Chemistry, Management City and Guilds Teaching
• Occupational Background: Training Manager for Residential Disability Care Home in London, England; Basic Skills Teacher for a college in London working with young adults
• Other interesta: I love travelling with my husband and two boys. I have a tiny chihuahua called “Princess Nri Bri” . Originally I came from London England but I love it here in Texas!
• Cindy Harvey
• Responsibilities: Advisor to the Director; Office Support
• Email address
• :
  Responsibilities: Office Support; Advisor to director
  Occupational Background: Medical offices
  Other interests: art
• Lanier Hollingsworth
  Email address: l.hollingsworth@att.net

  Responsibilities: Administrative duties

  Education: Converse College: Bachelor degree in Comprehensive Science; Duke University: Certificate in Nuclear Medicine Technology

  Occupational Background: Anything and everything

  Other interests: gardening – especially herbs; cooking; cake decorating; various computer skills
• Norma Hopkins
  Email address: nbhopkins@sbcglobal.net

  Responsibilities: Lead Teacher

  Course(s) taught: Science teacher

  Education: UNT: Bachelor of Science

  Occupational Background: taught in Keller ISD, Bryson ISD, and retired in 2002 with HEBISD. I still tutor science, math, and reading in the HEB schools.

  Other interests: I raised two children as a single parent; both have college degrees and are very talented and productive. I have been blessed with wonder friends who have helped me in my journey. I am blessed with two beautiful grandchildren who are the joy of my life. I stay busy singing in the church choir, playing bridge, gardening, and caring for my home. I have been teaching science classes from the start of CRWM. I have taught the adult special need student as well as the parents of the students. We have had classes on body functions and more specifically the functions of the brain in response to their meds. The last three summers have been dedicated to teaching “Science on the Run” where we have explored science in many various areas – from museums to water treatment plants. It has been great fun for all involved. I have enjoyed my association with CRWM for many reasons. I love to learn and when you teach you are always in a learning mode. Many times I feel I learn as much from the students as they learn from me. I am amazed at the things that they know, and equally amazed at the things that they don’t know. It is always fun to see the light go on.
• Erin Humphries, LPC, LMFT
• Email address: humphries.erin@yahoo.com, www.erinhumphries.com
  Responsibilities: Teacher; Counselor
  Course(s) taught: Personal growth and development
  Education: University of North Texas: BA in Psychology, Cum Laude; Texas Women’s University: MS Family Therapy, Summa Cum Laude
  Occupational Background: Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Currently in Private Practice; Previous experience: Intake Specialist at MHMR; Assessment Specialist (Ft.Worth ISD); Employment Specialist
  Other interests:
• Alicia Jones
  Email address: alicia.jones@comereadwithme.us , nutritionist@charter.net

  Responsibilities: Program Manager/Teacher, Nutrition Counselor

  Course(s) taught: Brain Gym, Nutrition, Barton Reading, Asperger’s discussion group

  Education: Texas Woman’s University: BS in Special Education, Huntington College of Health Sciences: Board Certified Nutritionist

  Occupational Background: Special Education teacher in HEBISD, KISD, and BISD. Parent Liaison in HEBISD.

  Other interests: Fitness, cooking, reading, spending time with my family.
• Mary Jones
  Email address: mary.jones@comereadwithme.us

  Responsibilities: Reading tutoring and assessments

  Course(s) taught: Barton Reading

  Education: lots!

  Occupational Background: Taught for many years

  Other interests:
• Mickie MacCammond
  Email address: mmaccammond@mac.com

  Responsibilities: Speech-Language Pathologist Providing speech/language therapy services

  Education: M.A. Speech Pathology – Louisiana Tech University

  Occupational Background: Owner – Mid Cities Speech & Hearing Clinic – 25 yrs. Consultant to various private schools in Mid Cities area. I have watched many of my clients “grow up” into delightful young adults. Their hard work and “can do” attitude is amazing!

  Other interests: Gardening (when I have time!). I have two sons – Alec a Marine – now a Staff SGT with Recon division at Camp Pendleton, CA and Paul – a woodland forest firefighter – Currently on the “Hot Shot” team and on a fire in Oregon. Your prayers for both will be appreciated.
• Cylinda Marshall
  She has devoted her time and energies in assisting those with disabilities pursue their goals of life-long learning. They drew her in and included her as an extension of the “Come Read with Me family.” A relationship she cherishes deeply.

  Email address: cylinda.marshall@comereadwithme.us

  Responsibilities: Office Administrator; Come Read with Me Advisory Board.

  Course(s) taught: Substitute teaches as needed and has taught classes such as Job Skills and Hobby Skills.

  Education: Odessa Jr. College and Midland Jr. College

  Occupational Background: Office Administration/Management along with the handling of Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables – 20 years experience

  Self-employed as support of individuals having developmental disabilities since 2004

  Other interests: Sewing, learning to quilt, cross stitch, reading and exploring the many complexities of computers. Cylinda is married to Roger and resides in Keller. They have one teenage son at home. Their other son and his wife are graduates of the University of Oklahoma and live in Fort Worth. Cylinda has a brother with cerebral palsy. Her sister has lost sight in one eye.
• Matt Michaels
  Email address: mttmichaels@yahoo.com

  Responsibilities: Lead teacher

  Course(s) taught: History, Geography,Math, GED, private tutoring

  Education: University of North Texas: BA in History, Minor in Education

  Occupational Background: Race car construction and operation, ecclesiastical decoration construction and high school history teacher.

  Other interests: Racing motorcycles and cars.
• Melissa Mullins
  Email address:

  Responsibilities:

  Course(s) taught:

  Education:

  Occupational Background:

  Other interests:
• Lisa Nelson
  Email address: lisa.nelson@comereadwithme.us

  Responsibilities: Coordinator and instructor for the Brain Gym, Director and Founder of the Come Sing with Us Chorale

  Course(s) taught: Wii programs, general teaching support

  Education:

  Occupational Background:

  Other interests: Providing foster care
• Orlando Nelson
  Email address: lisa.nelson@comereadwithme.us
  Responsibilities: Chef!
  Course(s) taught: Cooking, Fun in the Sun, Individual tutoring
  Education:
  Occupational Background: Professional Chef
  Other interests: Sports, church work
• Joan Pruit
  Email address: truthnlove9@yahoo.com

  Responsibilities: Lead Teacher; Guidance to director

  Course(s) taught: Reading; Math

  Education: East Carolina University: Politics major; Graduate School at University of Dallas, Political Philosophy and Literature

  Occupational Background: Advocate

  Active volunteer at schools of my teens Cistercian Preparatory School and Ursuline Academy

  Member of Stewardship Committee at St. Francis

  Catechist for RCIA and CCD program at same church

  Ministries–Marriage preparation, Adoration, Holy Communion to nursing home residents, Gabriel’s Angel for expectant mothers

  Other interests:

  Born in Asheville, North Carolina

  I have 7 children, ages 30-14 yrs.

  Member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Grapevine

  Culture studies, history of ideas, religion, art, politics, theology, special needs of persons with disabilities, culture of life issues–abortion and medical research using moral means

  Scripture study, and, of course, READING, POETRY AND WRITING
• Linda Quinn
  Email address: Linda.quinn@tccd.edu

  Responsibilities: Lead Teacher; Come Read with Me Advisory Board

  Course(s) taught: Drama and dance

  Education: Texas Women’s University: BA Drama/English; Ph.D. Dance/Humanities

  Occupational Background: teaching drama, dance, creative writing

  Other interests:
• First Name: Barbara
  Email address: barbara.svoboda@comereadwithme.us

  Responsibilities: Various accounting duties

  Education: BSBA Accounting Major/ Drake University/ Des Moines, Iowa; CPA (inactive at this time)

  Occupational Background: KPMG Public Accounting firm from 1980 – 1995. Senior Manager/Auditing

  Other interests:Church, family,pets, music and watching a variety of sports.
• Corlia Timmerman
  Email address: Corlia@trcenterprises.net

  Responsibilities: Occupational Therapist; Programming Advisor

  Course(s) taught: Reading/math/handwriting

  Education: University of Pretoria in South Africa: Bachelor in Occupational Therapy

  Occupational Background: Homeschooler, licensed occupational therapist

  Other interests: Family and homeschooler, church activities
• Maxine Wallis
  Responsibilities: Reading instructor

  Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, University of North Texas; ESL certification; Early Childhood certification

  Occupational Background: Taught 21 years for the HEB ISD in kindergarten, first and third grades. Taught pre-kdg. in a church school program.

  Other interests:I have been married 40 years to my high school sweetheart. We have lived in Euless 40 years. We have 2 sons. Our oldest son participates in Special Olympics. My husband is head of delegation for our area, and I help whenever I can. I love to travel, enjoy reading mysteries, painting, doing crafts and collecting “Lucy and Me” and “Cherished Teddies” figurines. I have a large collection of children’s books and enjoy learning about teaching reading. We spend lots of time with my family and friends.