The Reading League Ohio
We believe that all children can learn to read and all teachers can learn to teach them. Yet, after decades of education policy changes and increased testing, much of reading education is failing millions of children in acquiring life’s most important education endeavor towards knowledge and fulfillment. Only a third of students in the U.S. achieve reading proficiency. Low literacy levels contribute to poor physical health, mental health, employment opportunities, and quality of life. Students who struggle to read often feel alone, as do the educators and parents who experience frustration when they cannot find adequate information and guidance.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Chanda Rhodes Coblentz is the founder and president of The Reading League Ohio. She is a faculty member in the School of Education at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio where she shares her passion for literacy and evidence-aligned reading instruction with her students. She serves on Stark County Job and Family Services Advisory Board in her community. She serves on the Ohio Department of Higher Education Reading Review Panel, as well as a site reviewer for The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). She resides in North Canton, Ohio with her husband, two active teen sons, and two adorable pups. When she is not working, she enjoys watching sporting events-especially when her sons are playing! She enjoys hiking, spending time with family, having coffee with friends, and reading a good book.
Michelle Elia works on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education as one of 2 Ohio Literacy Leads. Elia has previously served as an intervention specialist, special education consultant, and Regional Early Literacy Specialist. She provides professional development and coaching for teachers and administrators in evidence-based instructional practices, aligned with the science of reading and Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement. She also coaches district and building leaders to make appropriate systems changes in their school-wide reading model. Michelle serves as a board member of the International Dyslexia Association Northern Ohio, is a member of Ohio’s What Matters Now Network, is a national LETRS trainer and works as an adjunct professor and literacy advisor to Youngstown State and Walsh Universities. When she is not working, Michelle gets to be in her favorite role, mom. She has three children and a very patient husband.
Mrs. Osko has over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience. Her many undertakings always include a focus on teaching aligned to the Science of Reading, coaching in various leadership roles in public education in the United States and internationally. These experiences included rich language immersion in multiple cultures, which gives her a unique perspective of the needs of English Language learners. She is certified in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
She emphasizes a collaborative leadership style seeking innovative solutions when supporting districts in building a sustainable Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). She has extensive experience working with district leaders that focused on building their districts’ capacity about the evidenced based approach around the science of reading (SoR). She also works closely with classroom teachers to coach and model implementation supports within the school improvement process in Ohio.
She has collaborated with various authors and advisory members by providing feedback on the development and suggestions for the 3rd edition of Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). She worked as a National LETRS trainer and is now working with a non-profit organization. The Center for Collaborative Classroom is a mission driven non-profit whose primary focus is committed to ensuring that all students become readers, writers, and thinkers who learn from, care for, and respect one another.
She emphasizes a collaborative leadership style seeking innovative solutions when supporting districts in building a sustainable Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). She has extensive experience working with district leaders that focused on building their districts’ capacity about the evidenced based approach around the science of reading (SoR). She also works closely with classroom teachers to coach and model implementation supports within the school improvement process in Ohio.
She has collaborated with various authors and advisory members by providing feedback on the development and suggestions for the 3rd edition of Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). She worked as a National LETRS trainer and is now working with a non-profit organization. The Center for Collaborative Classroom is a mission driven non-profit whose primary focus is committed to ensuring that all students become readers, writers, and thinkers who learn from, care for, and respect one another.
Nancy is married and has a daughter and a step-son and three lovely dogs. She resides in Avon, Ohio.
Theresa Benning is a faculty member in the Education Department at Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio. She teaches courses in both Education and Early Childhood Education and supervises student teachers. Theresa is an Ohio Approved Instructor who delivers high quality professional development through the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. She is also certified as a Trauma Competent Educator through the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services and the Ohio Department of Mental Health Services. She is an active member of the Ohio Early Childhood Education 2-Year College Coalition. Theresa’s professional experiences have included teaching preschool, serving as a Preschool Administrator, Early Childhood Scorer for the edTPA, and a K-4 reading interventionist. Theresa is an Ohio licensed teacher with PreK-3rd grade licensure and K-12 focus on Instructional Technology.
Theresa lives in Massillon, Ohio with her husband and 2 daughters. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family