Board of Directors

President – Amy Heimkreiter

President-elect Carmen Mendoza 

Carmen graduated with an undergraduate degree in both Elementary Education and Specific Learning Disabilities. Her Masters focus was in Reading/Literacy Education. In the mid 90’s, she added training in Orton Gillingham, Wilson, Executive Functioning, and many other impactful topics that relate to educating students with dyslexia and specific learning disabilities. She became involved in the Ohio Valley Branch of the IDA as a way to connect with the Cincinnati region and all those that are impacted by dyslexia. Carmen likes to help people and provide resources for students/ families with dyslexia.

Maria Aielli – Secretary

Maria Aielli is a literacy specialist, instructional coach, and assistant professor in the Reading Science program at Mount Saint Joseph University. With a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Reading Science, Maria brings a wealth of expertise to her work. She served as a special education teacher for nine years, gaining valuable experience supporting diverse learners. Passionate about empowering educators, parents, and students, Maria is dedicated to sharing effective instructional practices that foster success in reading and literacy development.

Sara Cooper – Conference Chair

Sara is a Speech-Language Pathologist with 8 years of experience, primarily at Springer School and Center. She is deeply committed to continuing education and staying current with research to support students with Learning Disabilities. Sara attend University of South Carolina. Her leadership experience includes serving as her sorority’s Social and Risk Management Chair where she managed large-scale event logistics, overseeing budgets, securing licensing and insurance, coordinating transportation, and arranging venue and vendor contracts. Sara’s passion for education and organizational expertise equips her to plan and implement impactful programs for the Ohio Valley IDA community with the support of a dedicated committee.

Nora Gokhan – Membership Chair

Nora is an intervention specialist at Campbell Ridge Elementary School in Northern Kentucky. When she started her teaching career in Cincinnati, she was placed with reading specialists who were very knowledgeable about dyslexia and teaching reading. They encouraged Nora to apply for a scholarship with the Ohio Valley Branch of IDA and she was awarded a scholarship for initial Orton-Gillingham training through the Masonic Learning Center which is now called The Children’s Dyslexia Center. Nora completed the course and practicum in June of 2002 and has been a member of this branch ever since. Nora is dyslexic and remembers how hard reading and spelling were as a child. She loves working with children and spreading awareness about dyslexia.  

Christina Scheckel – Newsletter Chair

Christina graduated with an undergraduate degree in Dietetics. Later in life, a career change led her to Mount Saint Joseph University for a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a K-12 Reading Endorsement. At MSJ, she had opportunities to add training in LTRS and Orton Gillingham. These have been valuable tools in helping children learn how to read. Christina currently works for Oak Hills School District in reading intervention for grades K-5. With a medical background, she is naturally gravitated to the quality research of IDA and their scientific approach to reading. Christina’s mom, brother, and a daughter all have dyslexia. Being a part of the Ohio Valley Branch of the IDA is a way to promote quality research and connect with other people that teach students with dyslexia. As Newsletter chair, it’s a fun way to use creative talents, share news about our branch, and help people get connected.  

Nikki Sullivan – Parent Educator Chair

Nikki has dedicated her 25-year career as a speech-language pathologist to Springer School and Center, where she also serves as the team leader for the SLP team. She works primarily with middle school students and has extensive experience providing speech and language therapy to learners in grades 3 through 8. Nikki specializes in supporting students with Dyslexia and other learning disabilities, helping them develop strategies to improve their listening and reading comprehension skills. In her role, Nikki values the opportunity to collaborate with parents and guardians as part of each student’s academic team. She is committed to fostering the social, emotional, and academic success of the children she serves while empowering families to advocate effectively for their needs. As a parent of a child with ADHD, Nikki understands the challenges many families face. Her empathy and shared experiences enrich her partnerships with parents, creating a supportive environment for both students and their families.

Ambor Moy – Products Chair

Ambor is a dyslexic parent of three school-age children, all of whom are also dyslexic. She is a primary educator currently completing her studies at Mount St. Joseph University, where she is earning a dual licensure in Primary and Special Education. Her graduate program also includes Reading Science and Dyslexia certification. Ambor has experience advocating at the state level and has partnered with a small school district to support students with reading difficulties. Prior to relocating to Ohio in 2019, she was an active member of Washington, D.C.’s Decoding Dyslexia parent group. Two of her children have IEPs, and one has a 504 plan. Her journey has given her a unique perspective as both an educator and a parent, equipping her to navigate the challenges of supporting students with dyslexia from multiple angles.

Shelby Chamberlin: Publicity/ Fundraising Chair

Shelby is the Family Outreach Coordinator at Springer School and Center. In this role, she collaborates with families to guide them through admissions. This involves reviewing educational documents such as ETRs, IEPs, and 504 plans to assess the level of support a child may need. Shelby also helps families gather background information on their child’s educational journey to determine if they might be at risk for learning disabilities, like dyslexia, and could benefit from a diagnostic evaluation through Springer Diagnostics. Additionally, she manages therapy and tutoring services, ensuring clients are matched with tutors based on their academic needs. Shelby plans and directs the Adventures in Summer Learning Program, which provides enriching opportunities for students. Her background in special education and experience as a classroom teacher at Springer gives her valuable insight into effectively communicating with families seeking answers.

Al Early – State Legislative Representative

Shortly after retirement  in 2013, Al was invited to become a member of the Ohio Valley Branch of IDA. It was an excellent opportunity to complement his newly founded educational consulting business, which focuses on special education and reading challenges like those faced by many students throughout his 45-year career in education. He has been a member of the chapter since 2013. Al’s professional background includes 7 years of experience as a history and government teacher, along with 38 years in various administrative roles, including principal of 4 high schools, as a district director of special education, and as president of a non-public high school. Additionally, since enrolling in a school law course in 1974, he has kept well-informed regarding changes to education law, driven by both professional necessity and personal interest. Now, in addition to monitoring emerging legislation and litigation related to education, he occasionally engages directly with legislators to seek clarification on pending legislation and at times to offer input. All of this supports efforts to keep chapter members updated on new and proposed Ohio and Federal education laws, particularly those concerning literacy and promote good literacy at the Ohio State level.

Cari Kelly: Nominating Chair; Collective Impact Representative

Cari is an experienced educator and trainer with over 20 years of supporting students with learning disabilities. Her current role is as a Reading Specialist at Springer School and Center in Cincinnati, as well as a Wilson Credentialed Trainer and Learning Disabilities Specialist. She provides structured literacy instruction and leads professional development for fellow educators. Prior to this role, Cari spent more than 15 years as a classroom teacher at Springer, known for creating engaging, multi-sensory lessons and building strong connections with families. She holds a Master’s in Reading from Xavier University, along with certifications in Elementary Education and Specific Learning Disabilities, and a K–12 Reading Endorsement. As a recognized instructional leader, she’s received teaching awards and presented at both state conferences. Cari is passionate about improving literacy education and supporting teacher training to help all learners succeed.