HIRE A SPEAKER
Is your school or organization in need of professional development about structured literacy, dyslexia and other learning differences, state laws and/or district policy? Maybe you have an idea of what you need. We would love to hear from you and have you fill out our interest form. Check out our speakers and we will get in touch with you to learn more about your needs and availability!
Mallary Lattanze, M.Ed., LDT, CALT
Mallary Lattanze is a licensed dyslexia therapist and certified academic language therapist in Houston, Texas. She is a respected professional, speaker, and devoted volunteer and advocate for students and families affected with dyslexia and other learning differences. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education, a Masters degree in Reading and received her therapist training from Neuhaus Education Center in the Basic Language Skills programs. For the past few years, Mallary has volunteered with the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) where she was the former national and Texas conference chair for ALTA, and fundraising co-chair for the ALTA Charitable Fund. She is currently in her sixth year as East Texas ALTA co-chair and has given free presentations annually. Mallary started volunteering with the Houston Branch IDA (HBIDA) as an advisor and quickly joined the conference committee then became chair, board member and currently HBIDA President. Mallary is a diagnosed dyslexic from metro-Atlanta, Georgia and has been living in Houston, Texas for over a decade. She started her career as a classroom teacher in grades Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd in Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. She worked in Houston ISD for seven years in the dyslexia department and created the online instructional materials for dyslexia intervention during the COVID-19 shutdown for K-12 students and teachers when everyone was at home. She was promoted to Dyslexia Team Lead and managed dyslexia programs at schools across Houston ISD as well as their curriculum lead and trainer for Region IV ESC’s Reading by Design program. After leaving the public school system in 2022, Mallary dove into the private school experience. For two years, she served as a middle school learning specialist. Mallary then made her way to a private school for kids like her with dyslexia and other learning differences, The Briarwood School as their Director of Admissions. Mallary lives with her energetic dog Hazel and loves spending time with her friends and family, adventures in nature, and traveling around the world.
Topics of Expertise
Meeting the Needs of Students with Dyslexia in Middle & High school: A roadmap to providing appropriate instruction, accommodations, and instilling self-advocacy
Beyond Accommodations: Creating an inclusive classroom for all
Fluency and The Reading Continuum: Why fluency before comprehension and understanding the reading continuum for every reader
Data Drives Instruction: Types of data, ways to collect data, how to analyze data, the data cycle and communicating the data
Morphology in Middle School: Why is it important to teach it across all content areas
The Wonders of Twice Exceptional Students: Who is a 2E student and how to identify and support 2E students
Angie Maxey, MLA
Angie Maxey serves as the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Access and Disability Services at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. With over 20 years of experience in education, Angie is deeply committed to education equity and accessibility. Among her key accomplishments at UST, she has launched a student success initiative that pairs peer mentors with neurodivergent students and also hosts an annual Celebrating Neurodiversity Art Showcase to recognize the talents and contributions of neurodivergent individuals. In addition to her role as a disability services professional, Angie is a board member of the Houston International Dyslexia Association and was recognized as a finalist for the Tincy Miller Making a Difference Award for her contributions in the field of dyslexia advocacy. She currently serves as Board President for the Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) in Texas, and is a doctoral candidate in Strategic Educational Leadership with research interests in neurodiversity frameworks and self-advocacy for students with disabilities.
Topics of Expertise
Dyslexia and the ADA: College Accommodations and the Transition from K-12 – Helping students and parents understand the transition process and differences between K-12 and higher education accommodations.
504 Implementation in Texas: Trends, Challenges, and Disparities – A data-driven look at the disparities in Section 504 identification and services across the state.
Technology and Dyslexia: Leveraging Assistive Tools for Success – Reviewing the latest assistive technology and how it supports students with dyslexia.
How Parents Can Support Self-Advocacy in Dyslexic Students – Practical guidance for parents on fostering independence and empowerment.
Accommodations vs. Modifications: Understanding the Differences in Dyslexia Support – Clarifying misconceptions about instructional adjustments in K-12 and higher education.
Amanda Jocz, M.Ed.
Amanda is native Houstonian and experienced educator and administrator with a deep passion for supporting students with learning differences. Throughout her career, Amanda has worked in special education, general education, and school leadership, always striving to create environments where students, families, and teachers can work together to unlock potential and achieve success. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Special Education from the University of Central Arkansas and Master of Education in Administration from Houston Christian University. Amanda has over 12 years of experience in Houston-area independent schools, specializing in supporting students with learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD, among others. She has experience working with students and families ranging from early childhood to high school having been an elementary school teacher, middle and high school division head, and athletic coach. Amanda has been an active member
of the Houston Branch of IDA since 2013, serving on the advisory council and now as a board member. She is currently the Director of Learning Support at an independent school in the Houston area. Additionally, she runs a private practice where she offers personalized student support and family education for individuals with learning differences. Through years of experience, Amanda has found joy in learning families’ stories, building connections, and developing creative solutions to help students thrive.
Topics of Expertise
Multisensory strategies for the classroom
Join Amanda as she provides multisensory strategies for the elementary classroom. These strategies are imperative to helping students with learning differences access the content, but are good strategies for everyone! You will leave with hands-on strategies that you can implement tomorrow.
Learning differences in the classroom: What do they look like & how can I help?
We often receive FIEs, IEPs, and psychoeducational evaluations with a diagnosis, but what does that mean for the classroom? In this session, you will learn how various learning differences present in the classroom and gain strategies on how to best support diverse learners.
Practical support for parents of students with Dyslexia & ADHD
Join this session to gain tools on how to set up your household for success. Gain knowledge on how your child with dyslexia/adhd thinks, what strategies can be implemented in your home, and language that can build connections and confidence.