Dyslexia Center of Austin Board
Ginny Druart
President
Ginny Druart is a lifelong Austinite with deep roots in Central Texas. She was a classroom teacher for 14 years, teaching 2nd and 3rd grades. In 2018, she left the classroom and became a school librarian - her dream job! Ginny's passion is working with kids with learning differences and helping them develop their passions and overcome challenges. She has two adult children who both experienced learning differences in elementary school. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Education from Texas State University, and a School Librarian certification from the University of North Texas.
Tara Cevallos, M.Ed., LDT, CALT-QI
Treasurer
Tara Cevallos received her dyslexia therapist training at the Scottish Rite Dyslexia Center of Austin and became a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Licensed Dyslexia Therapist in 2010. Tara is the Principal at St. Austin Catholic School. Prior, Tara was the Academic Learning Specialist and Director of Curriculum at St. Austin Catholic School, where she was responsible for the dyslexia intervention, Language Arts curriculum coordination and professional development, RtI administration, school-wide accommodations coordination, and Title I management. Tara has a Master’s in Special Education, Specializing in Dyslexia through MSU Texas. She is a Qualified Instructor and member of ALTA and IDA.
Alice Marsel, M.A., LDT, CALT-QI
Secretary
Alice Marsel received her BS in Special Education from Syracuse University and MA in Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham has been a Certified Academic Language Therapist for over 35 years and a Qualified Instructor for more than 25 years. She previously served as a Master Instructor and Program Director at Payne Education Center in Oklahoma City and Director of Education at Scottish Rite Dyslexia Center of Austin until its closing. She is a co-founding board member of the Dyslexia Center of Austin. Now in private practice, Alice has worked in numerous private schools in Texas and Oklahoma City as well as in private practice throughout her career. She is an active member of the Academic Language Association (ALTA) and co-chair of the South Region of the Texas ALTA Chapter. She has been involved with the International Multisensory Language Education Council (IMSLEC) for over ten years and has been a member of the IMSLEC Accreditation Committee since 2010.
Jason Meeker
Board Member
Jason Meeker is the founder and chief of strategy & content at Lone Star PR & Marketing in Austin. As a believer in people with Texas-sized dreams and the courage to pursue them, Jason partners with people and businesses to help them shine brighter. He helps ambitious clients gain media attention, attract customers, enhance reputations, navigate crises, raise funds, or build public support—all to achieve their goals. As a board member of the Dyslexia Center of Austin, he applies his expertise in creating content to help us tell our story and support the center's mission.
Karyn Simmons
Board Member
Karyn Simmons is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Dyslexia Therapist who works with students across Austin in both private and public school settings. Her journey to becoming a CALT began as a passionate literacy volunteer for over 12 years in her neighborhood elementary school, where she was introduced to the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching struggling readers. The research-based, structured literacy approach appealed to her analytical mind, and she embraced it as a key to helping the bright but struggling students she had met during her years of volunteering. Prior to becoming a CALT, Karyn managed global communications programs for 3M, Dell, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She earned a dual Bachelor's in Business Administration and Information Technology from the Illinois Institute of Technology and her dyslexia therapist training from the Dyslexia Center of Austin. Karyn is a member of ALTA and IDA.
Johanna Peyton
Board Member
Johanna is a writer, mother, and dyslexia and literacy advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Christian University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Austin. With a deep-seated passion for children, especially those in vulnerable positions, Johanna serves on the board of Friends of the Children Austin, whose mission is to break the cycle of generational poverty for youth within her community. She is also a neurodivergent writer who desires to stand as an inspiration and encouragement to others. Johanna writes with the hope of inspiring creativity and wonder so that readers (young and old) realize their own resiliency.