Dr. Jan Hasbrouck

Dr. Jan Hasbrouck is an educational consultant, author, and researcher. She served as Executive Consultant to the Washington State Reading Initiative and as an advisor to the Texas Reading Initiative. Dr. Hasbrouck worked as a reading specialist and literacy coach for 15 years before teaching at the University of Oregon and later became a professor at Texas A&M University. Dr. Hasbrouck has provided educational consulting to individual schools across the globe, helping teachers, specialists, and administrators design and implement effective assessment and instructional programs targeted to help low-performing readers.

Dr. Hasbrouck earned her BA and MA from the University of Oregon, and completed her PhD at Texas A&M.  Her research in areas of reading fluency, reading assessment, coaching, and second language learners has been published in numerous professional books and journals.  She is the author and coauthor of several books including “Conquering Dyslexia”, “Reading Fluency”, “The Reading Coach: A How-to Manual for Success”, and “Educators as Physicians”, along with some assessment tools.  Dr. Hasbrouck works with the McGraw Hill publishers as an author of their “Wonders” and “WonderWorks” reading and intervention programs. She also enjoys her volunteer work at her grandson’s K-8 school in Seattle.

Julie Bedell, MS, is in the 36th year of her public school teaching career as both a reading specialist and a K-8 classroom teacher.  Her passion for the science of reading was sparked when she was introduced to The Writing Road to Reading: The Spalding Method in her second year of teaching. Julie has seen countless students become confident readers and writers using this Orton-based instructional approach. In addition to her time with children, Julie is committed to staying abreast of the latest reading science by attending conferences and receiving additional training in both linguistic and Orton-based methodologies. Julie shares her enthusiasm for the science of reading by leading classes for teachers on phonology, orthography, spelling, handwriting, and reading. As president of Read Washington, Julie is dedicated to helping other teachers learn the science of reading and put it into practice in their classrooms.  

Amy Fleisher, M.I.T., is a primary-grade reading interventionist working in Seattle. Before focusing on vulnerable readers, Amy’s diverse career in education ranged from teaching preschool to conducting corporate training. Her approach to teaching reading was transformed when she discovered the science of reading. As the daughter of a dyslexic father, the mother of dyslexic sons, and a dyslexic herself, Amy understands the impact of science-based literacy instruction personally and professionally. In her role as a reading interventionist, Amy presents to teachers and school leaders, advocating for the transformative power of this approach. She also emphasizes the importance of building a solid alliance between home and school, working closely with students and families as children become skilled and confident readers. As a founding member of Read Washington, Amy is eager to spread the word about the science of reading and the hope it brings to all readers.

Ingrid Nyberg, MEd, serves as a primary reading interventionist at Lake Forest Park Elementary in Shoreline, Washington. With a decade of experience in the classroom, Ingrid's journey toward becoming a reading interventionist was inspired by her tenure as a classroom teacher, during which time she witnessed too many students struggling to learn to read. Driven by a commitment to effecting positive change, she embarked on a mission to bridge this gap. In collaboration with ReadWA, Ingrid and her team at Lake Forest Park have channeled their efforts into integrating the Science of Reading into their curriculum, ensuring equitable literacy outcomes within the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. This concerted approach has significantly improved reading proficiency and behavioral development among students.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Ingrid finds solace and joy in the outdoors, often exploring nature with her two children and her husband, an equally passionate educator who enjoys discussing literacy. As a board member of Read Washington, Ingrid is excited to contribute to and build upon the remarkable progress already achieved, furthering the organization's mission.

 Dr. Katie Barrett is a seasoned educator with 24 years of experience in various roles, including reading and writing para-educator, classroom teacher, district literacy teacher, elementary principal, and Director of Elementary Education. Her passion for reading originated in her childhood and deepened when she sought solutions for her son, who faced challenges in learning to read. 

As a classroom teacher in the primary grades, Dr. Barrett encountered firsthand the difficulties educators face in addressing the diverse reading abilities of their students, particularly those struggling with reading. This experience led her to participate in a comprehensive research project at the University of Oregon on Enhanced Core Reading Instruction (ECRI), profoundly transforming her teaching strategies. Dr. Barrett's success in her classroom allowed her to share her insights with the next two districts she worked in, leading to significant improvements in K-2 reading outcomes. This journey also inspired her doctoral dissertation, where she combined her passions for language acquisition and reading development, focusing on enhancing reading outcomes for multilingual learners. 

Dr. Barrett is a sought-after speaker, having presented at numerous Oregon Response to Instruction and Intervention conferences, with her recent focus on district-level literacy improvement systems and structures. Additionally, she has served as a staff developer for the AVID Center, sharing best practices in Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading with K-2 teachers, and has provided professional development for ECRI. As a certified life coach, Dr. Barrett is dedicated to supporting teachers in building resilience. As a board member of Read Washington, she is committed to empowering educators with knowledge about the science of reading, facilitating success in literacy across their districts. 

Frank Greif brings the ReadWA board years of experience as a business consultant and Executive Coach. Frank has worked with such diverse corporations as Apple, Nokia, AT&T, HBO, and Getty Images. He started his career as a journalist producing nightly television news, and anchoring a daily television show. Frank also started and ultimately sold a specialized telephone company; served as a Cabinet Member for the Mayor of Seattle; founded a national association to lobby the US Congress on telecommunication issues, and managed the marketing arm of a commercial real estate development firm. 

A graduate of The Evergreen State College and the State and Local Government Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Frank has maintained his ties to the education community. He has served as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Graduate Management Program at Antioch University, has been a visiting instructor at Highline College, and a guest lecturer at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and the University of Washington.

Involved in numerous civic organizations, Frank has served as President of the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Public Library and has been an on-camera fund-raiser for KCTS Television, the Public Broadcasting System station in Seattle.