About AVAD

AVAD was created as the brain child of April Holdinghaus, a reading specialist in the Arkansas Valley. April is a specialist with regard to diagnosing and instructing people with dyslexia and teaches at Longfellow Elementary School in Salida, CO. Through teaching and working with families, April discovered a need in the community for families to have access to dyslexia specific technology tools as well as financial assistance for tutoring and instruction.

Our Mission

What We Believe In

AVAD raises funds to make these tools and tutoring accessible for all people with Dyslexia in the Arkansas Valley.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is comprised of passionate educators, parents, and members of the community who are committed to breaking down barriers to literacy for those with Dyselxia.

Board President

April Holdinghaus

April is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) who works at Longfellow Elementary as a Title I Reading Specialist. Her journey to dyslexia advocacy unknowingly began when she was a child, April struggled with reading and spelling but was fortunate to have a father who supported and empathized with her as he himself had had even more difficulty with the letter/ sound connection. Once she became an educator, April learned more about dyslexia and saw students who were so creative and bright but still had difficulty learning to read. Around 2018, April and Felicia worked to increase evaluations for dyslexia and provide research-based interventions to students in need. In 2019, April returned to school to train for her CALP certification. She now teaches the Take Flight curriculum to individuals with dyslexia or a profile of dyslexia at Longfellow Elementary.

April loves to spend time with her husband, two kids, and furry family members. Their favorite things to do are snuggling up with a good book and enjoying all kinds of adventures outside.

aholdinghaus@gmail.com

Board Vice President

Felicia Hermosillo

Felicia is a bilingual Special Education teacher at Longfellow Elementary School. When she is not teaching, she enjoys being outside hiking, camping, climbing, and swimming in alpine lakes. She is also a salsa dancer! Felicia's passion for supporting students with Dyslexia stems from her commitment to ensuring that all people have access to the tools that enhance their life and break down barriers that keep them from reaching their true potential.

feliciahermosillo@yahoo.com

Board Secretary

Kate McClelland

Kate has lived with her husband and two children in Salida for the past 16 years. As a family, they enjoy the many outdoor activities that this area has to offer, live music, all the special parades, costume parties and giving back to the community that has always shown up for her and her family. Kate grew up in Massachusetts and quickly fell in love with this little mountain town. She recently helped to create the non-profit Ark Valley Advocates for Dyslexia and enjoys serving on their Board. Both of her boys love books but struggle with reading and writing. Kate has seen first-hand the magic that happens in the Salida School District as her children have both attended SECC, LES and her oldest is currently at The Crest Academy. She is thrilled to be with the district & it is her biggest joy to hear the children of the Salida Early Childhood Center call out for Nanny Kate’s special pushes on the swing, help with a friend, to tie their shoes, learn new words in sign language or to cuddle up with their favorite story!

kmcclelland@salidaschools.org

Board Treasurer

Jill Davis

Jill has been an educator, reader and advocate for revealing pathways to make learning attainable and enjoyable for over 20 years. She is currently supporting adults learning to use an animal care software program designed for rescue, rehab and education facilities. Jill is grateful for the awe and wonder she has experienced through books and other written materials, and wishes to empower others to join her on this magical journey.

Board Member - Jennifer Lang

Jennifer Lang, was born and raised in Fort Collins Colorado. She grew up hiking, skiing and rafting all of which she continues to enjoy here in Salida with my husband and daughter.

She has been a classroom teacher for 22 years teaching kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. Currently she is the Dean of Students at Longfellow Elementary School.

As a primary teacher, she found there were a few types of students when it came to learning how to read.

1.Children who just “got the code” . You could show them the letter Aa, tell them the sound and how to write it and they had it! Next thing you knew they were reading, sometimes it felt like magic.

2. Students who needed some extra support and small group practice and then they “got it”.

3. Then there are the students who really struggled and just never seemed to “get it” despite our best efforts there continued to be unexpected difficulties learning to read.

We know now, thanks to over a decade of research, that those children in category 3 most likely have Dyslexia. The most common learning disorder on the planet, affecting one in five individuals.

“Knowledge of dyslexia’s cognitive basis indicates what symptoms to look for so that symptoms of dyslexia in the classroom (and at home) are noted and acknowledged rather than, as currently happens, ignored or overlooked,” says Dr. Shaywitz.

Jennifer is proud to be a part of the AVAD team as it strives to educate and support students and their families to overcome reading difficulties.