Ohio Valley Branch Newsletter

(February 2025)

Welcome to the relaunch of our Ohio Valley Branch Newsletter!  I’m so honored to serve as the Newsletter Chair to bridge communications to professionals and families that are trying to help people with Dyslexia.  As we rebuild our branch, newsletters will resume in October and February.  This issue has news about upcoming scholarship opportunities, our meeting in April, and a filled executive committee/directors!  Christina Scheckel

Photo by Valentin Antonini on Unsplash

Memorial

Betty Sheffield, one of our branch founders and first board president from 1978-1981, passed on November 12, 2022.  The Ohio Valley Branch of IDA was officially launched in September 1978 and covered all of Ohio and Kentucky.  Betty had a large part in starting our branch to help support and educate on reading disabilities.  She was a strong supporter, mentor, and advocate for people with dyslexia and their families.  A Cincinnati native, Betty was instrumental in bringing the Orton-Gillingham approach closer to home by traveling to train at The Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota.  She became a reading teacher, master teacher, and even lecturer at Miami of Ohio, University of Cincinnati, and consulting around the world.  She went on to advocate and support Dyslexia on a national level serving on the IDA board of directors for 13 years including serving as Vice president.  Betty was awarded the Margaret Rawson IDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.  We will be forever grateful for her leadership and support for people with Dyslexia.

April Conference – Sara Cooper

The OVBIDA is thrilled to host Dr. Cheryl Chase for our spring conference on April 12th. “Executive Functions: What are they, why are they important, and how can I help?” will define executive functioning, draw a connection between academics and behavior, and offer practical strategies to help students that have challenges in these areas. This will be a virtual conference taking place from 8:30am-3:30pm. Registration is open, click here.

Nominating Chair – Cari Kelly

Please help us welcome our newest members to the OVB IDA Board!

This past December, we welcomed our new President-Elect Carmen Mendoza, along with Treasurer Steve Sagel, and Recording Secretary Maria Aiella to our Executive Committee.

Our newest directors include:

• Conference Chair: Sara Cooper

• Scholarship Chair: Anne Leeman

• Products Chair: Ambor Moy

• Publicity & Fundraising Chair: Shelby Chamberlin

• Parent Educator Chair: Nikki Sullivan

• Newsletter Chair: Christina Scheckel

We are thrilled to have so many dedicated volunteers supporting our mission. We look forward to serving the community and can’t wait to connect with our members!

Publicity & Fundraising Chair – Shelby Chamberlin

The OVBIDA sponsored Springer School and Center’s 2025 Empowered Learning Conference was on February 14th. At this conference, we had representatives from the branch providing individuals with information on IDA membership and how to join! Thank you to all who participated!