SMCISD Dyslexia Specialist Nelda Reyes Recognized At National Conference

At the 18^th Annual Wilson Language Training Conference in Boston, Massachusetts earlier this month, San Marcos CISD Dyslexia/Interventionist Specialist Nelda Reyes was awarded the 2016 Sharon Parks Memorial Scholarship. Reyes earned the national recognition from Wilson Reading Systems as “an honor bestowed upon teachers who exemplify professionalism, dedication, and enthusiasm for teaching.”

The recognition is awarded annually in honor and in memory of Sharon Parks, an outstanding Wilson trainer, to the individual who best demonstrates the Wilson mission of “helping students become fluent independent readers” and promoting literacy.

She was nominated by Judy Butler and Susan Patteson, Wilson Partner Trainers at the Region 13 Education Service Center, where Reyes earned her Level One certification in 2009. Butler and Patteson said, “Her whole heart is with her students and her work,” and they noted her dedication and continued professional learning, taking courses in reading intervention and attending instructional support meetings offered.

The Region 13 trainers also cited her facilitating parent nights at her campus to help teach parents learn about dyslexia and how they can better assist their children at home. In addition, Reyes volunteered her experience and skills at Region 13 in a parent outreach initiative for underserved populations in the Central Texas area.

In spring 2016, hers was one of two San Marcos CISD campuses that were recognized for having competed in the Learning Ally Great Reading Games competition and finished in the top three schools in the country. Learning Ally invited both schools to visit their recording studio in Austin where students witnessed the recording of audiobooks in a professional setting.

Reyes works with the De Zavala Elementary campus in San Marcos currently. During her 20 year career in San Marcos and Houston, she has taught in both English and Bilingual classrooms. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and certificates in Early Childhood and Bilingual/ESL special education from the University of Texas-Pan American, and recently earned her Master Reading Teacher certification from Region 13.

Submitted by: SMCISD PIO