Kari Fotis graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She obtained a Master's of Education degree in Special Education Curriculum and Instruction from The College of William and Mary.

Kari holds a current Virginia teaching license in Special Education K-12 with endorsements in Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disturbances, and Intellectual Disabilities. She has extensive experience in educational testing to identify learning disabilities and develop research-based interventions. Kari holds the highest certification as a Wilson Language Dyslexia Therapist and is a certified ADOS-2 examiner. Additionally, she is a Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist with CERI, a subsidiary of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Kari holds professional memberships with the IDA, CERI, and the Council for Exceptional Children. She currently holds a seat as a Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities of America and the International Dyslexia Association. - Va Beach location.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Kelly Erickson comes to us with a wealth of education, knowledge, and experience. A former elementary teacher, Kelly went on to further her education first with her master’s degree and Reading Specialist endorsement from UVA. She is now finishing up her dissertation for her Ed.D from the College of William and Mary (Go, Tribe!). Kelly currently works as an Instructional Specialist focused on literacy with a local school division. She has completed both the Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator training and practicum and the Associate Level Training. Additionally, Kelly completed a year long Structured Literacy course taught by TTAC Project Specialist, Mary Stowe. Lastly, Kelly has extensive training in LETRS and serves as a LETRS facilitator for her school division. She recently received her certification as a National LETRS facilitator as well! Kelly is looking forward to working with your child to help him/her crack the code!

Dr. Liz Crockett comes to HRDC with a stellar pedigree! Dr. Crockett earned her bachelor’s degree in both Special Education and Elementary Education from Old Dominion University. She then went on to earn both her master’s degree in Special Education-Resource/Collaborative Teaching and her Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership in Special Education from The College of William and Mary (Go, Tribe!). Beyond her formal education, Dr. Crockett taught for 23 years, both as a general education teacher and a special education teacher. Once she left the classroom, Dr. Crockett worked as a Special Education Administrator for 15 years. She is a Certified Wilson Practitioner and a Wilson Just Words Facilitator. Dr. Crockett also is trained in the Lindamood-Bell Verbalizing and Visualizing program. In her free time, Dr. Crockett loves to get out on the water and fish! We are so happy and fortunate to have her join our team!

Amy Cisewski is a well-known tutoring specialist in our area, and we are so pleased she agreed to come work with us here at HRDC! Amy has over 37 years’ experience as a special education teacher, with most of those years spent at Grafton Middle School in York County. Amy is a certified Wilson Practitioner and is also trained in Wilson Just Words. In addition to Amy’s training and certifications in literacy, Amy also loves to teach math! Amy’s demeanor and skill set is perfect for both our little ones as well as our middle and high school aged clients. Her experience with the demands and expectations of the upper grades’ curriculum, gives her a unique perspective when looking at what skills her students need to master and apply to be successful. In her free time, Amy enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks, and playing with her sweet puppies!

Andrea joins the team at HRDC with much enthusiasm and eagerness to help students learn to read. She believes whole-heartedly in the “Wilson Works” philosophy and is always seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge in the science of reading! She initially embarked on her Wilson journey two years ago in a highly determined effort to provide her son with the services he needed to become a fluent reader, as well as teach him to embrace and own his dyslexia. In 2021, she successfully completed her Level 1 Wilson certification and is now a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. She currently homeschools her two children and is excited to help other students struggling to learn to read. In addition to her Wilson credentials, Andrea holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and a Minor in Psychology from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. She also holds a Master of Severe Disabilities degree from Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA. In her spare time, Andrea loves to spend time with her husband and children, craft, read, and travel to see her extended family in Florida!

Janet Nogrady is a highly motivated and encouraging multisensory teacher with our team at HRDC. Hampton University awarded her a bachelor's of science in Human Ecology, with the highest honors and departmental honors. She also has a Reading Intervention Certification from Endicott College.

A former third-grade teacher and fourth-grade homeschool grandparent, she is trained by Handwriting Without Tears, Keyboarding Without Tears, and Handwriting Without Tears Screening for handwriting problems. She is also familiar with Project Read and many types of technological assistance.

Additionally, she is a Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist with CERI, a subsidiary of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Janet holds professional memberships with the IDA, CERI, and The Wilson Language System.

As a Wilson Certified Dyslexia Practitioner, Janet translates her passion for teaching into effective learning plans, utilizing varied modalities and instructional techniques. She provides individualized multisensory lessons for ages seven to sixty-seven. Her goal is to improve students' reading, spelling, and comprehension regardless of age.

Diana Furman has worked in the education sector for over 25 years. She received her first Master’s degree from Capella University in Literacy and Reading and her second Master’s degree from University of Virginia in Curriculum and Instruction. She holds endorsements as a Reading Specialist for grades K-12, Preschool Special Education, and PK-3 teaching. She has attended structured literacy professional development course offerings through William and Mary’s T-TAC department. Diana has also received extensive training in the science of reading through LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling). She is currently a local LETRS facilitator.

Students who often are unsuccessful with responding to Tier 1 literacy instruction continue to ignite her professional purpose and passion as a reading teacher. She is a strong advocate for children with significant reading difficulties as she was unable to read until the age of ten. She recognizes that all students benefit from explicit and responsive instruction in order to maximize their full potential as readers.

Diana firmly believes that literacy development is a crucial right for all students and that their families are to be respected as vital partners and advocates in their student’s literacy journey.

Patrick Rogers has been teaching language arts for 12 years. He brings a wide variety of experience to HRDC having served as an 8th grade Reading and Writing Teacher, 1st Grade Teacher, Title One Reading Interventionist, Instructional Coach, and District Early Literacy Coach. Patrick earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Elementary Education from Missouri State University. He holds an active Virginia teaching license in PreK-6 Elementary Education, as well as 6th-8th grade English, History, Math, and Science. Patrick is also a National Professional Learning Facilitator for LETRS. LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), was developed by Dr. Louisa Moats and Dr. Carol Tolman. It provides teachers with the skills they need to master the fundamentals of reading instruction—phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and language.

Prior to entering education, Patrick served 4 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is originally from Salinas, CA and currently resides with his family in Chesapeake, VA. When he is not serving as a taxi for his children, Patrick enjoys racing and riding bicycles and motorcycles, reading, gardening, martial arts, and camping.

We are thrilled to expand our offerings to include tutoring in math with Ms. Tammy Krejcarek! Tammy’s formal education began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Norfolk State University. She then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Counseling from William & Mary (Go, Tribe!) before earning her Ed.S. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education.

In addition to her advanced degrees and teaching license, Tammy also holds a Math Specialist Endorsement in grades K-12. Ms. Krejcarek spent 18 years teaching and serving local school divisions as a Math Specialist. She has collaborated with teachers in multiple school divisions to improve their teaching in mathematics, raising scores in one school by over 80%! Tammy is well known in the community for her expertise in effective mathematical instruction and provides professional development across divisions. She has over 20 years’ experience tutoring elementary students. Tammy will communicate with your child’s teacher to ensure that sessions are both targeted and purposeful while at the same time being fun and engaging. Tammy recognizes students often feel math is too hard for them, so she strives to boost their self-confidence along the way.

Ms. Krejcarek has 10 years of school administration experience and currently works full time as an elementary school principal. However, she cannot give up the joy of working 1:1 with students who need extra support in math. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her daughter along with her two labs, Gouda, and Lola.

Amy Stewart joins our team with 26 years of experience in the field of special education.

She graduated from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Amy went on to earn a Master of Education degree in Special Education as well as a Post Professional Endorsement as a Reading Specialist from The College of William and Mary (Go Tribe!).

Amy holds a current K-12 Postgraduate Professional teaching license with endorsements in Reading Specialist, Emotional Disturbance and Specific Learning Disabilities. She also has significant training in and experience with structured literacy programs and methods including Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading. Ms. Stewart works full-time as a reading specialist during the day. She brings a wealth of knowledge, education, and skills to the students of HRDC. As a lifelong learner, Amy is always open to new challenges and opportunities for growth and is excited to join our team.

In her spare time, she loves reading, traveling, going to movies and hanging out with friends and family.

Kate Forrest is excited to join our team at the Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center and we are thrilled to have her! Kate earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the College of William and Mary (Go Tribe!). Her bachelor’s degree is in Biology and her master’s degree is in Special Education Curriculum and Instruction K-12. Kate holds a postgraduate professional teaching license in Virginia with endorsements in Special Education General Curriculum, Specific Learning Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, and Emotional Disturbance.

With over 22 years of teaching for the York County School Division, Ms. Forrest serves as a mentor teacher and is an integral part of the leadership team at her school. Early in her career, Kate became certified in the Wilson Reading System and has seen the wonderful impact it can have for students who struggle to read and spell. She is a fully Certified Wilson Practitioner and has worked as a private tutor for over ten years. Kate loves to facilitate learning to read and write for all age groups.

In her free time, Kate likes traveling and boating.

Kathryn Tisdale is a licensed Reading Specialist who has been in the field for over 23 years. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Campbell University and her Master's degree with a concentration in Reading from James Madison University. Kathryn has worked in Title I schools most of her career and focuses on both educating teachers and students. She currently coaches reading specialists across Chesapeake in dyslexia while serving as her building's reading specialist and 504 chairperson.

Kathryn is LETRS 1 and 2 trained, an Orton Gillingham classroom educator, and attends regular professional development in structured literacy, best practices and multisensory education. Learning is as fun as teaching!

Kathryn enjoys spending time with her family, working in the garden, and reading and journaling!