Meet the Executive Team
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Stephanie Davidson, MPPA
Executive Director
Stephanie Davidson has served in the nonprofit community locally and statewide. She is a graduate of the University of West Alabama with a degree in History and completed graduate studies at Mississippi State University with a Masters of Public Policy and Administration. She has worked in the areas of health, education, and nonprofits serving as Community Impact Director for United Way of East MS and adjunct instructor in American Government at East MS Community College. She was director of Wesley House Free Clinic and has served on various nonprofit boards. She taught World History and Advanced
Geography in the Kemper County and Canton School Districts. She served in the Health Justice Division of the MS Center for Justice in Jackson, MS. Stephanie is a native of Meridian, MS.
Brooke Dewease Smith, M.S., CCC-SLP
Evaluation Director
Brooke began her career as a speech therapist in 2002. She spent over 16 years providing early-intervention therapy in a pediatric setting in Lauderdale County.
She completed clinical practicum hours in 2019 and joined Illuminations as the Evaluation Director in 2020.
Brooke is dedicated to supporting students and their families as they navigate the evaluation and therapy process.
April Willis
Executive Assistant
April brings a unique and valuable set of skills to our team, derived from her diverse background and experiences. Her journey has taken her from being a correctional officer to stepping into educational settings as a substitute teacher. April’s roles involved close observation and supervision, critical thinking in assessing behaviors, and a firm grasp on emergency-management protocols.
April demonstrated her versatility and commitment to student success by managing classrooms, ensuring that learning objectives were met with the same precision and care she applied in her previous roles. She pays attention to detail, values teamwork, and handles customer communication with ease. April is the first point of contact for our visitors at Illuminations, welcoming every guest with a smile and ensuring a warm, supportive environment for all who walk through our doors.
Founder
Leta Palmiter, Ed.S., CALT, S.L.D.S
Leta Palmiter is an accomplished educator, dyslexia therapist, and literacy leader dedicated to helping students and teachers unlock the power of reading. She serves as Executive Director of the Illuminations Center for Dyslexia in Meridian, Mississippi, and as Chief Education Officer of VTO Reading, an AI-powered platform that creates individualized decodable practice for students.
With over 25 years of experience in literacy intervention, Leta has taught more than 500 students to read, write, and spell with confidence. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy, a Certified Academic Language Therapist, and a CERI-certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist. She is the author of Mississippi Rising: The Story of How the Last Became First in Literacy Growth (2022).
A passionate advocate for structured literacy and teacher empowerment, Leta’s mission is simple: help every educator understand how the science of reading translates into classroom practice.
Meet the Neurocognitive Engineers
Anna Griffin, M.Ed., CALT
Dyslexia Therapist
Anna’s passion for literacy support began as both an educator and the parent of a child with dyslexia. After her family found support at Illuminations, she discovered her calling and earned her degree in Dyslexia Therapy from William Carey University.
She now provides after-school and summer dyslexia therapy, helping st
Dyslexia Therapist
Anna’s passion for literacy support began as both an educator and the parent of a child with dyslexia. After her family found support at Illuminations, she discovered her calling and earned her degree in Dyslexia Therapy from William Carey University.
She now provides after-school and summer dyslexia therapy, helping students build reading and writing confidence through structured literacy and compassionate support. For Anna, this work is deeply personal and fulfilling — a chance to pay forward the hope and guidance her family once received.
Sophia Seltzer-Hill, B.S.
Dyslexia Specialist and Educational Tutor
Sophia is an experienced educator with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University. While teaching second grade at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary in Starkville, she created an engaging classroom environment that supported diverse student needs and led to sign
Dyslexia Specialist and Educational Tutor
Sophia is an experienced educator with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University. While teaching second grade at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary in Starkville, she created an engaging classroom environment that supported diverse student needs and led to significant academic growth — including a 95% increase in reading proficiency and 87.5% growth in math.
Certified through the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program, Sophia integrates technology to enhance learning and is also certified in First Aid and CPR. She is committed to continuous growth and building supportive learning spaces where all students can thrive.
Cary Richardson, B.S.
Special Educator and Tutor
Cary Richardson is a veteran educator with 29 years of experience in the Enterprise School District in Mississippi. She spent 19 years teaching first grade at Enterprise Elementary School, helping students develop foundational literacy skills through phonemic awareness, writing, and a love of reading. Since 201
Special Educator and Tutor
Cary Richardson is a veteran educator with 29 years of experience in the Enterprise School District in Mississippi. She spent 19 years teaching first grade at Enterprise Elementary School, helping students develop foundational literacy skills through phonemic awareness, writing, and a love of reading. Since 2016, she has served as a special education inclusion teacher at Enterprise High School, with a particular focus on English II.
Math Neurocognitive Engineers
Morgan Keen
Math Tutor
Morgan Keen brings experience in teaching, student support, and team leadership to her work with children. She currently serves as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education in Meridian, Mississippi, guiding classroom learning, developing lessons when needed, and providing additional support to students struggling with math.
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Math Tutor
Morgan Keen brings experience in teaching, student support, and team leadership to her work with children. She currently serves as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education in Meridian, Mississippi, guiding classroom learning, developing lessons when needed, and providing additional support to students struggling with math.
From 2019 to 2024, Morgan homeschooled eight students across kindergarten and grades three through nine, teaching subjects including English language arts, mathematics, science, and history. Her background in management strengthens her ability to stay organized, communicate clearly, and adapt to individual learning needs. Morgan is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and encouraging environment where students can learn and grow.
Kerri Weaver, M.S
Math Instructor
Kerri Weaver is an experienced mathematics educator with more than 20 years of teaching and school leadership experience. Since 2016, she has taught at Enterprise High School, where her responsibilities include district testing, curriculum, and textbook coordination. Her teaching experience spans foundational mathematics
Math Instructor
Kerri Weaver is an experienced mathematics educator with more than 20 years of teaching and school leadership experience. Since 2016, she has taught at Enterprise High School, where her responsibilities include district testing, curriculum, and textbook coordination. Her teaching experience spans foundational mathematics through AP Calculus and dual-credit College Algebra, along with college instruction in online, hybrid, and classroom settings.
Kerri previously served as an assistant principal, instructional facilitator, and testing coordinator at Quitman High School. She holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Mississippi State University, with additional graduate coursework in mathematics from the University of West Alabama. She brings a strong foundation in instruction, student support, and educational leadership to helping students strengthen their mathematics skills..
Tele-Therapy Team of Neurocognitive Engineers
Elizabeth Douge’ M.A., ET/P
Dyslexia Therapist and EF Coach
Elizabeth is committed to reducing the effects of illiteracy and supporting learners with diverse needs. She is certified in executive-function intervention and provides targeted support to help students strengthen learning strategies and build confidence.
Elizabeth holds a B.A. in Sociology from the Uni
Dyslexia Therapist and EF Coach
Elizabeth is committed to reducing the effects of illiteracy and supporting learners with diverse needs. She is certified in executive-function intervention and provides targeted support to help students strengthen learning strategies and build confidence.
Elizabeth holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Southern California, an M.A. in Special Education from Point Loma Nazarene University, and an Educational Therapy Certificate from the University of California–Riverside. She also holds Education Specialist credentials in Mild-to-Moderate and Moderate-to-Severe Disabilities and is a Professionally Certified Educational Therapist.
Dorina Nimigean , BS, OG Tutor
Dyslexia Tele-Therapist
Dorina has worked with children of all ages and understands the importance of early identification and effective intervention for learning differences. With training in both Montessori and Orton-Gillingham methods, she uses evidence-based instruction to support struggling readers.
She also incorporates Lexercise to s
Dyslexia Tele-Therapist
Dorina has worked with children of all ages and understands the importance of early identification and effective intervention for learning differences. With training in both Montessori and Orton-Gillingham methods, she uses evidence-based instruction to support struggling readers.
She also incorporates Lexercise to strengthen collaboration between child, parent, and therapist, helping students build strong, lasting literacy skills.
Shauna Kelln, B.S.
Dyslexia Tele-Therapist
Shauna is passionate about helping students become confident, successful readers using the Lexercise platform. She tailors instruction to each learner and is motivated by the powerful growth she sees in her students.
She earned her B.A. in Secondary Education from Western Washington University with concentrations in
Dyslexia Tele-Therapist
Shauna is passionate about helping students become confident, successful readers using the Lexercise platform. She tailors instruction to each learner and is motivated by the powerful growth she sees in her students.
She earned her B.A. in Secondary Education from Western Washington University with concentrations in History, English, and Theatre, and completed a two-year special education program at the University of Virginia with endorsements in Emotional Disability, Learning Disability, and Mental Retardation. Shauna has over 30 years of teaching experience across grade levels.
Jinji Donato, C-SLD, BLS
Dyslexia Tele-Therapist
Jinji helps students build reading, writing, and self-expression skills while developing confidence and a love of literacy. She believes that reading support opens doors to joy, independence, and lifelong learning.
She holds a Master of Liberal Studies from Rollins College and has completed accredited structured-lit
Dyslexia Tele-Therapist
Jinji helps students build reading, writing, and self-expression skills while developing confidence and a love of literacy. She believes that reading support opens doors to joy, independence, and lifelong learning.
She holds a Master of Liberal Studies from Rollins College and has completed accredited structured-literacy training through Lexercise. Jinji is committed to supporting and advocating for every family she serves.
Kristen Weaver, C-SLDS
Dyslexia Tele-Therapist
Kristen is an experienced educator with a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Delta State University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University. She recently completed her practicum to become a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist.
A National Board-c
Dyslexia Tele-Therapist
Kristen is an experienced educator with a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Delta State University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University. She recently completed her practicum to become a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist.
A National Board-certified teacher since 2013, Kristen has taught multiple grade levels and currently serves as a kindergarten teacher at East Rankin Academy. She has worked as a tutor, substitute teacher, and teacher-support-team advisor and is dedicated to helping students grow and thrive.
Mississippi Rising: How the Last Became First in Literacy Growth
