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Leadership Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Literacy United is comprised of individuals with varied unique strengths and a combined passion for literacy advocacy. Meet the leadership team!
Dr. Kary A. Johnson is a dedicated bilingual reading specialist with a passion for empowering struggling readers. With over two decades of experience in education, she has been instrumental in transforming the lives of countless individuals through her expertise and unwavering commitment to literacy.
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Education:
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B.A. in International Relations/Spanish from TCU in 1999
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M.Ed. from Texas Wesleyan University in Reading and Bilingual Education in 2003
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Ed.D., Texas Wesleyan University in 2013 Curriculum and Instruction
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Dissertation: Multicomponent Treatment of Rapid Naming, Reading Rate, and Visual Attention in Single and Double Deficit Dyslexics.
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Meet Dr. Kary A. Johnson;
Executive Clinical Director
Angela Miller;
Assistant Clinical Director
Angela Miller is the assistant clinical director of Literacy United. She joined the team in 2010. She supervises and supports staff members in the Literacy United Title Services Program, which provides quality small group instruction in reading, math, and SAT skills to public, charter, and private non-profit schools. She is also the director of two grant funded programs: Reading For All and Reading For Life. Between these two programs, customized reading and writing instruction is provided to intellectually disabled individuals ages 6 and older. The goals of these programs are to increase these individuals’ functional reading/ reading ability, which leads to increased self-sufficiency. Angela received her M. Ed., Reading Specialist and B.S. Interdisciplinary Academic - Elementary Education degrees from Dallas Baptist University. Before working at Literacy United, Angela taught fourth grade for seven years in Grand Prairie ISD. Angela considers it such an honor and privilege to be part of Literacy United!
Kendall Miller;
Director of Outreach and Talent Management
Of no relation to our Assistant Director, Angela Miller, Mr. Kendall Miller is the newest member of our team. Mr. Miller holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Communications from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master of Education Degree from Texas Wesleyan University with a Principal Certification.
Throughout his career, he has have led educational programs with a diverse range of institutions, including public, private, and Christian schools. These experiences have allowed him to establish high-performing systems, particularly with students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. As a campus leader, he has motivated personnel and built relationships, ensuring the needs of all learners were met.
As an educator, he was drawn to advocating for and ensuring the needs of students with learning differences and neurodivergent needs were met. This calling has been amplified by he own children's needs and their learning differences.
Dr. Donna Griffin;
Curriculum Instruction, and Assessment Supervisor
Donna began working at Literacy United in 2021, after the pandemic closed the private school where she taught. She joined our team as a specialist, working with private clients and in school programs. Donna graduated from Tarleton State University in 1989, then later earned her M.Ed. in Reading and Ph. D in Cognition and Instruction in Reading from Grand Canyon University. She also has a MA in Childhood Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Donna has worked in education for more than 30 years, including Arlington ISD for 20 years and Tate Springs Christian School for 5 years. She also has an extensive background as a professional presenter, teacher trainer, and mentor. Outside of work, she is active in her church, leads music and Bible Study at Bible Study Fellowship, and enjoys crafting, fostering kittens and serving throughout her community.
Dr. Jan Davidson;
Curriculum Instruction, and Assessment Supervisor
Jan began working at Literacy United in 2017 as a specialist working with private clients. Over the years she has worked with our Reading for Life Program, managing title one school partnership intervention programs, interviewing potential candidates, and training new specialists. She currently works with students and is a CIA supervisor over some of our other specialists. Previously, she taught second and third grades while working on her MA in Reading. She served as an instructional specialist for nine years in an elementary school. She spent one year working as a reading interventionist in an elementary school. After receiving her doctorate in Curriculum, Instruction and Supervision of Elementary Education, she worked with the Region 10 Education Service Center Alternative Teaching Certification Program. She has taught education courses for Texas A&M-Commerce, the University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, and currently for Texas Christian University.
Ralyeen Sullivan
Curriculum Instruction, and Assessment Supervisor
Rayleen started working with Dr. Johnson when she first opened the The Reading Connection. Since the very early days before there was a brick-and-mortar place to see children for sessions! This transitioned into working with Dr. Johnson when she started the non-profit, Literacy United. Rayleen worked for 29 years in three different public school systems teaching everything from PreK/PPCD to 5th grade math. After retiring from public school in 2013, Rayleen went straight into teaching at a small, private, early childhood center where she was able to use her master's in early childhood development each class day. Early intervention for learning issues is a definite passion for Rayleen and one reason she feels so strongly about the work done through Literacy United. When she's not in a classroom of children, Rayleen spends her time caring for her grandson! He's such a joy!
Kaitlyn Gallon;
Office Manager
Individualization | Empathy | Developer | Relator | Responsibility
Kaitlyn came to Literacy United after 6 years in Birdville ISD. She was the Professional Learning Administrative Assistant, and most recently, the Professional Learning Data Systems Project Lead. Prior to that, Kaitlyn worked as the Administrative Assistant at a local Fort Worth Preschool, Lil Goldman Early Learning Center. Kaitlyn and her husband have one preschool aged son, two very large kitty cats named Dexter and Charles, and a tiny tuxedo kitty named Dahlia. Both Kaitlyn and her husband are Fort Worth natives, so their entire family is in the area; keeping them busy from one season to the next.
Kimberlee Ashley;
Finance Manager
Kimberlee's 20 year accounting career lead her to start working for Literacy United in January of 2023. Prior to that, she worked for the Region 11 education service center. Kimberlee is our resident "pet mom," as she has 2 pigs, 3 chickens, and 2 dogs. She and her husband spend their free time reselling, traveling, and visiting estate sales.