About Us

Rebecca Miles is an Early Literacy Consultant and Coach with over twenty years of experience supporting schools in Southwest Michigan. She holds a BA in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Literacy Studies with a Reading Specialist endorsement from Western Michigan University, along with additional endorsements in Early Childhood, Social Studies, and Science.

Rebecca’s expertise spans literacy coaching, reading intervention, and classroom teaching across multiple grade levels. She has extensive experience in PBIS systems work and school transformation, having played a key role in helping the school where she worked move from the third percentile on the MEAP to the fiftieth percentile on the MSTEP in just four years. She is trained in PBIS, is an Explicit Instruction (Anita Archer) Trainer of Trainers, and is trained in Orton-Gillingham and LETRS.

Rebecca partners with teachers and administrators to implement multi-tiered systems of support for K–3 literacy, coach building-level teams in data analysis, and develop high-quality, evidence-based instruction. In addition, she supports schools across the country through her educational consulting business, serves as a professional learning specialist for The Reading League, and contributes to the Curriculum Materials Review Team for the Michigan Department of Education.

Outside of her professional work, Rebecca is a dedicated parent and grandparent, with three grown children and eight grandchildren. Two of her children are neuroatypical—one with dyslexia and one who survived brain cancer—experiences that fuel her commitment to literacy and learning for all students.

Chelsea Boyd is an Elementary Principal in Brighton, Michigan. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in special education with an endorsement for students with emotional impairments. She also holds a Master’s of Educational Media and Technology from Eastern Michigan University, where she holds both her degrees along with her K-12 Administrative Certificate from MASSP. She has been teaching and coaching for 15 years in the area of special education and tiered systems of support. She has developed training and coaching around Specially Designed Instruction for students with disabilities and guides districts in implementation of support plans that accelerate student learning. Her additional work as a PBIS external coach and trainer has continued schools on their journey of a comprehensive support system for students in the areas of academics and behavior. Her greatest accomplishment is her family, as a wife and mother of two young boys.

With over 20 years of experience in education, Kirsten Rice serves as the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Coordinator for an ISD in West Michigan. In this role, she leads a multidisciplinary team that provides training and coaching to local school districts, helping them build sustainable, district-wide MTSS frameworks that support both academic and behavioral success. Kirsten collaborates closely with the Michigan Technical Assistance Center for Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MiMTSS) to deliver professional development for district leaders and educators in implementation science, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and evidence-based reading instruction.

Kirsten earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Prior to her current role, she served as a district-level PBIS Consultant for two years and spent a decade as a school social worker.

Patty Van is in her forty-fifth year in education. After retiring from a self-contained elementary classroom in 2012, she transitioned into the role of Lead Interventionist, where she provided targeted instructional support and led intervention initiatives. For the past six years, Patty has served as a Literacy Coach, joining Lakeshore Public Schools in 2023 as the Literacy Coach at Stewart Elementary.

In her role at Lakeshore, Patty has facilitated professional development and coaching for teachers and paraprofessionals, supporting the implementation of a formal curriculum-based measurement (CBM) assessment system, a “Walk to Read” model for Tier 2 ELA intervention, and the adoption and onboarding of a new ELA curriculum.

Patty earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Administration from Furman University. She has also completed over 30 additional graduate hours focused on special populations, reflecting her dedication to meeting the diverse needs of both gifted and struggling learners.

Outside of her professional work, Patty treasures time spent with her children and grandchildren.

Emily is an MTSS consultant dedicated to supporting districts in West Michigan in creating a sustainable infrastructure for effective Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). With over 15 years of experience in education, she has served as a Classroom Teacher, Intervention Specialist, Climate Coach, and MTSS Consultant. Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Cornerstone University. She is currently pursuing a Dyslexia Certificate from Mount St. Joseph University.

Deeply passionate about building effective literacy systems, Emily is dedicated to supporting the growth and development of all students. As a mother of two neurodivergent children, she advocates for The Science of Reading to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

For more than 2 decades, Nora has trained and coached thousands of teachers and taught countless students, from preschoolers to senior citizens, with instruction based on the Science of Reading. She is the author of a bi-weekly blog and host of monthly webinars that aim to educate educators and the public about effective, efficient literacy practices.

Dr. Julie Brehmer is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at Saginaw Valley State University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy methods and special education. Prior to joining SVSU in 2022, Dr. Brehmer served as a Literacy Consultant with the Michigan Department of Education, following 14 years as a special education teacher and teacher consultant. Her passion for literacy grew from her classroom experiences, where she became deeply committed to ensuring that all students receive high-quality, evidence-based instruction that meets their diverse learning needs. She continues to expand her expertise in literacy development and evidence-based instructional practices.

Julie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Michigan State University, a Master’s degree in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Special Education with a specialization in Language and Literacy from Michigan State University. She is a content developer and professional development provider with thinkSRSD, an evidence-based writing instructional framework, and partners with intermediate school districts across Michigan to deliver professional learning on literacy topics. Julie also provides consultation services in literacy curriculum development and serves as co-principal investigator on multiple grants focused on literacy instruction and supporting early career teachers. Her research interests include teacher preparation in literacy, writing instruction, and the implementation of evidence-based practices in diverse classrooms.

Beyond her professional roles, Dr. Brehmer enjoys spending time with her husband, their two grown daughters, son-in-law, and young grandson.

Ashley Troy is the Director of Teaching and Learning at Northwest Education Services in lower, Northern Michigan. She has been at the ISD for 13 years, 8 of those years as a literacy coach supporting the region. Prior to working at the ISD, she was a 3rd and 4th grade teacher, reading interventionist for grades K-5, and a literacy coach at an elementary building. She has a passion for improving literacy outcomes for students by supporting teachers and administrators with implementing best practices.

Ashley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language Arts and Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Arts degree in Curriuculum and Instruction from Grand Valley State University.

Outside of her professional roles, Ashley loves to be outside, garden, paddleboard, and play hockey.