staff@illuminationsdyslexia.com
Illuminations in Meridian
Serving Mississippi & Alabama
Dyslexia Therapy: in-office or by distance
Tutoring
Comprehensive Language Evaluations
About Us
Our Background
Personalized Lessons
Our Background
The Illuminations Center for Dyslexia was established in May of 2013. As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Illuminations Center for Dyslexia in Meridian works to change the lives of children in East Mississippi and West Alabama. In addition to our primary mission to teach children to read, write, and spell, we also offer a variety of tutor
The Illuminations Center for Dyslexia was established in May of 2013. As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Illuminations Center for Dyslexia in Meridian works to change the lives of children in East Mississippi and West Alabama. In addition to our primary mission to teach children to read, write, and spell, we also offer a variety of tutoring services. We work to increase teacher and parent knowledge through public forums and professional development in Meridian and the surrounding areas. Advocacy has been effective in changing the way accommodations and modifications have been implemented for our students in the public school setting. We can work with your family to advocate, educate, and provide professional development.
Our Expertise
Personalized Lessons
Our Background
All therapists at Illuminations have received training in structured literacy methods in a supervised practicum in excess of 800 clinical hours. We use individualized Orton-Gillingham materials from various programs including Neuhaus Education, Wilson Reading, Alphabetic Phonics, and Kendore Learning. Each lesson is individually planned
All therapists at Illuminations have received training in structured literacy methods in a supervised practicum in excess of 800 clinical hours. We use individualized Orton-Gillingham materials from various programs including Neuhaus Education, Wilson Reading, Alphabetic Phonics, and Kendore Learning. Each lesson is individually planned and based on student's unique needs within the structured scope and sequence recommended by the International Dyslexia Association.
We also have excellent, highly-qualified, tutors to help your child excel in school. We offer math, language, and subject area tutoring in addition to traditional therapy services.
Personalized Lessons
Personalized Lessons
Personalized Lessons
We assure the three basic components of effective intervention:
- An expert therapist who has the required knowledge and skills;
- An appropriate, research-backed curriculum that retrains the brain in skills needed for upper-level literacy.
- Deliberate, daily practice to establish the accuracy and fluency needed for the automatic application of l
We assure the three basic components of effective intervention:
- An expert therapist who has the required knowledge and skills;
- An appropriate, research-backed curriculum that retrains the brain in skills needed for upper-level literacy.
- Deliberate, daily practice to establish the accuracy and fluency needed for the automatic application of literacy skills.
In traditional therapy, direct instruction and practice are combined. We require 3-5 lessons weekly for new students. We recommend committing to 50 lessons in a semester to ensure effectiveness of our interventions.
Meet the Team
Executive Director
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Leta Palmiter, Ed.S., CALT, S.L.D.S
My mission is to impact the lives of children, adolescents, and adults with explicit, structured literacy instruction. I received my Bachelors in Elementary Education from Mississippi University for Women, my Masters in Dyslexia Therapy from Mississippi College, my Specialist in Instructional Leadership
Leta Palmiter, Ed.S., CALT, S.L.D.S
My mission is to impact the lives of children, adolescents, and adults with explicit, structured literacy instruction. I received my Bachelors in Elementary Education from Mississippi University for Women, my Masters in Dyslexia Therapy from Mississippi College, my Specialist in Instructional Leadership from William Carey University, and was privileged to study in the doctoral program at Vanderbilt University for a year before returning to the helm of Illuminations. I am certified by the State of Mississippi for dyslexia therapy, English, Mathematics, Elementary Education, and Special Education.
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Anna Griffin, M.Ed., CALT
Teaching children to read, write, and spell with confidence is my passion. As the parent of a dyslexic child, I found my mission in helping others just like the therapists at Illuminations helped me and my daughter. My degree from William Carey University in Dyslexia Therapy helps me pay it forward. I provide
Anna Griffin, M.Ed., CALT
Teaching children to read, write, and spell with confidence is my passion. As the parent of a dyslexic child, I found my mission in helping others just like the therapists at Illuminations helped me and my daughter. My degree from William Carey University in Dyslexia Therapy helps me pay it forward. I provide dyslexia therapy after school and during the summer for Illuminations.
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Dorina Nimigean , BS, OG Tutor
Working with children of all ages, I realized the importance of early detection and
appropriate remediation to address learning difficulties. Both Montessori and
Orton-Gillingham programs equipped me with science-backed and research-based
methods to help struggling readers. Lexercise takes the intervention to a
Dorina Nimigean , BS, OG Tutor
Working with children of all ages, I realized the importance of early detection and
appropriate remediation to address learning difficulties. Both Montessori and
Orton-Gillingham programs equipped me with science-backed and research-based
methods to help struggling readers. Lexercise takes the intervention to a new
level, where the triangle of child-parent-educator is restored to work together.
Hence the faster, better, and lifelong lasting results.
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Catherine Ouellette Tronrud, M.A., S.L.D.S
Having witnessed the daily hurdles and psychological damage of adult illiteracy and, years later, observing the signs of dyslexia in my own child, I learned all that I could about dyslexia and mental health. Now, I recognize the strengths of this learning difference and see how lives can chang
Catherine Ouellette Tronrud, M.A., S.L.D.S
Having witnessed the daily hurdles and psychological damage of adult illiteracy and, years later, observing the signs of dyslexia in my own child, I learned all that I could about dyslexia and mental health. Now, I recognize the strengths of this learning difference and see how lives can change with proven instruction. I love that Lexercise allows me to work one-on-one in a customizable way to meet the student's individual needs. I have degrees in psychology and counseling, am a substitute teacher, and have completed accredited training from the International Dyslexia Association.
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Shauna Kelln, B.S.
I love empowering students to become confident and successful readers. Teaching struggling readers via the Lexercise platform is so effective – and seeing the amazing outcome of this instruction is most rewarding! I like being able to tailor the program to meet the individual needs of the student – it works!
I received m
Shauna Kelln, B.S.
I love empowering students to become confident and successful readers. Teaching struggling readers via the Lexercise platform is so effective – and seeing the amazing outcome of this instruction is most rewarding! I like being able to tailor the program to meet the individual needs of the student – it works!
I received my Bachelor's of Secondary Education from Western Washington University in History, English, and Theatre, and then completed another 2-year program in Special Education through the University of Virginia with endorsements in ED, LD, and MR. I have taught for 30 years in all grade levels.
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Camille DeGomez, M.Ed. Elementary
I love teaching children and I understand the challenges that families face when learning doesn't come easily. I received my Bachelor's in Education from the University of Arizona and taught 4th grade for three years. Later, my Master's degree came from Northern Arizona University. It was then that I dis
Camille DeGomez, M.Ed. Elementary
I love teaching children and I understand the challenges that families face when learning doesn't come easily. I received my Bachelor's in Education from the University of Arizona and taught 4th grade for three years. Later, my Master's degree came from Northern Arizona University. It was then that I discovered I wanted to work with students who struggle with learning to read. The Lexercise Structured Literacy courses and practicum were the final steps I needed to become a dyslexia therapist. I have loved seeing the pride and relief from students and their parents as they learn skills to become successful readers!
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Deena White, M.Ed.
I have been teaching for the last 14 years and have recently earned my Master’s Degree in Education - Dyslexia Therapy from MIssissippi College. I have a passion for teaching children and working with children who struggle to read and write. I understand the struggles that some children have with reading and writing and
Deena White, M.Ed.
I have been teaching for the last 14 years and have recently earned my Master’s Degree in Education - Dyslexia Therapy from MIssissippi College. I have a passion for teaching children and working with children who struggle to read and write. I understand the struggles that some children have with reading and writing and it is my desire to help these children understand how to overcome those challenges. I love seeing the light come on in a child’s eye when he/she “gets” a concept he/she has been struggling with; to know that the child’s self confidence is growing allows me to know that we are heading in the right direction! A child’s pride in him/herself as he/she gains confidence in reading is a wonderful thing to watch!
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Jinji Donato, MLS
I love to help my clients develop their skills and self-confidence in reading, writing, and self-expression. Helping individuals work toward overcoming their reading challenges is important to me because it means they can access the joys of literacy. I earned my Master's of Liberal Studies degree from Rollins College. I
Jinji Donato, MLS
I love to help my clients develop their skills and self-confidence in reading, writing, and self-expression. Helping individuals work toward overcoming their reading challenges is important to me because it means they can access the joys of literacy. I earned my Master's of Liberal Studies degree from Rollins College. I have received accredited training in structured literacy from Lexercise. I look forward to supporting and advocating for every family I work with.
Dyslexia Therapist
Dyslexia Therapist
Executive Assistant/Tutor
Elizabeth Douge’ M.A., ET/P
Education B.A. Sociology- University of Southern California (USC); M.A. Special Education with a concentration in Moderate to Severe Disabilities (Point Loma Nazarene University); Certificate in Educational Therapy- University of California Riverside (UCR); Education Specialist Credentials in Mild to Modera
Elizabeth Douge’ M.A., ET/P
Education B.A. Sociology- University of Southern California (USC); M.A. Special Education with a concentration in Moderate to Severe Disabilities (Point Loma Nazarene University); Certificate in Educational Therapy- University of California Riverside (UCR); Education Specialist Credentials in Mild to Moderate and Moderate to Severe Disabilities. Professionally Certified Educational Therapist (Association of Educational Therapist). Experience 18 years
I have personally seen the impact that illiteracy can have on a person’s life. Because of this, I have made it my personal goal to tackle illiteracy as a way of changing the lives of clients that I work with.
Testimonial “My son has been working with Elizabeth and I've seen so much improvement in his reading and his confidence. The school is reporting he's volunteering more to read aloud and he has more than doubled his words read per minute. She is kind and patient with him, always manages to keep him engaged, and encourages him to do his best. We are grateful for this experience and all Elizabeth has done to help my son exceed even his own expectations!"
Executive Assistant/Tutor
Executive Assistant/Tutor
Executive Assistant/Tutor
Amber Willis-Hayes, B.S
.
I am focused on providing both group and individualized instruction with excellence for our struggling learners. I am proficient in helping struggling and special needs students enhance their own learning. You might see me volunteering around town, as I love to give back to the community.
Evaluation Director
Executive Assistant/Tutor
Evaluation Director
Brooke Dewease Smith, M.S., CCC-SLP
I graduated with my Master’s in speech/language pathology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2002 and have been a locally practicing SLP since that time. Around the birth of my first child, my practice focus shifted to pediatrics, and I have spent much of the last sixteen years serving the
Brooke Dewease Smith, M.S., CCC-SLP
I graduated with my Master’s in speech/language pathology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2002 and have been a locally practicing SLP since that time. Around the birth of my first child, my practice focus shifted to pediatrics, and I have spent much of the last sixteen years serving the children of Lauderdale and the surrounding counties. I have spent time contracting with Lauderdale County schools and served at three of their four elementary schools. Since 2012, I have recently worked in private practice, serving children of all ages, with a primary focus on the early intervention (0-3 years) population. In my role as an SLP with EI, I have significant experience in the early identification of language disorders and other developmental delays. I look forward to bringing this experience to further serve local children in this new role as the Evaluation Director at Illuminations.
Our Partners
Mississippi Rising
Mississippi Rising: How the Last Became First in Literacy Growth is a new book by Leta Palmiter. Lloyd Gray wrote in the foreword that this story “is an inspiring story of people who were willing to change if it meant better outcomes for children, even relearning everything they thought they knew about how reading should be taught. It’s about overcoming resistance to that change, and showing what we as a state can achieve when we put our minds to it and work together.”
Order your copy today!