Our Purpose
The purpose of the Center for Reading Science is to support educators in implementing the science of reading in their classrooms and communities. Our center aims to provide trusted information and resources to help educators bridge the research-to-practice gap and provide evidence-based practices in preschool through higher education.
Below is information about the Center’s two project areas.
PRESCHOOL
Joyful Discoveries
Curriculum
Project Ready! is committed to eradicating the economic and racial achievement gap by helping schools provide comprehensive, high-quality early education. The open-access resource materials shared on this site are part of our ongoing research project funded by The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, Scripps Howard Foundation, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and Mount St. Joseph University. We aim to create and share high-quality instructional materials, family literacy materials, and teacher professional learning opportunities.
K-12
Resources for Implementing the Science of Reading in Kindergarten – High School
The Center for Reading Science is striving to bridge the research-to-practice gap in schools near and far. The staff at the center can provide guidance and leadership to strengthen school systems, professional development, and coaching. This section contains information, resources, and tools for educators working with kindergarten through high school students seeking support to implement strong literacy practices.
Center News & Announcements
Our Team is Growing!
Laci Fisher, Ed.D., is a Project Ready! Literacy Specialist in the Reading Science Program at Mount St. Joseph University. She earned her doctorate in Reading Science from Mount St. Joseph and brings 14 years of experience in public education, serving as a resource room teacher, early childhood special education teacher, MTSS and Intervention Specialist, Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, and Early Childhood Center Principal. Her research focuses on supporting preschool teachers in implementing evidence-based practices. Dr. Fisher is passionate about equipping and supporting early educators to lay strong foundations for lifelong learning and success for all students.
Keshia Megie-Thompson is a Literacy Specialist with the Center for Reading Science at Mount St. Joseph University. Her journey in education began in New York City and continues in Texas. In the last decade, she as a lower elementary school classroom teacher, served as Chief Learning Officer for a private reading remediation company, and built a growing dyslexia private practice, Trace Literacy.
Keshia holds a Master’s degree in Reading and Writing with specializations in Early Literacy and Language Therapy from Southern Methodist University and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Reading Science at Mount St. Joseph University. She is certified in Elementary Education, Reading Specialist, Master Reading Teacher, Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), and Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT).
Across her career, Keshia has specialized in structured literacy, dyslexia intervention, and educator coaching—work that reflects her belief that literacy is a human right. At the Center for Reading Science, she partners with educators to scale evidence-based practices like Project Ready! and support systems-level change in early literacy
Jennifer Katsis lives in Cincinnati. She holds a Master's Degree from the Mount in the science of reading. Her educational background consists of 14 years in Illinois, Virginia, and Ohio. Her time within elementary schools included: first, second and third grades, as well as reading intervention. Most recently she was employed as a literacy coach for a large public school district. Jennifer's knowledge is deep in using data to drive instruction and affect student outcomes. Her passion for teaching reading will help support the preschool and elementary school implementation of evidence-based reading instruction as well as support MSJ's newest curriculum Project Ready! Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Traci Muellerleile lives in Riverton, Wyoming. She has been in education for 14 years, with 10 of those years as a first-grade teacher and 4 as a K-3 Interventionist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming, a Master of Arts degree in Education from mount St. Joseph University, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Cohort 5 of the Doctor of Education program at MSJ. Traci is also the Chapter Leader for The Reading League Wyoming. Traci's other certifications include a Reading Science Certificate, Dyslexia Certificate, Wyoming K-12 Reading Endorsement, Certificate of Orton-Gillingham Training, Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS), and a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction.