Odyssey Program

Dear Colleagues,

The Humanities Department is excited to announce Elizabeth Martin as the Program Administrator for Dyslexia. Elizabeth has worked in Portland Public Schools since 2012, and her new position will allow her to use the skills and knowledge she has gained in working with students with reading difficulties and disabilities.

Elizabeth came to PPS as a Reading Support Teacher at Woodstock Elementary, supporting students with reading interventions and coaching teachers with data analysis and instruction. She then became a Teacher on Special Assignment in K-5 Language Arts, providing professional learning for PPS teachers and administrators focusing on varying aspects of literacy including assessment, instruction, curriculum and tiered support systems.

Many of the students Elizabeth has worked with over the years have struggled with Dyslexia, and she knows that it takes a collaborative effort in working to solve the complex puzzle. Her goals include supporting on-going training that incorporates strategies and interventions addressing foundational skills in the early grades and working cross-departmentally to better support, communicate and engage PPS educators and parent and community stakeholders so we ensure a guaranteed and viable literacy core curriculum for all students in PPS, preschool through 12th grade.

After graduating from the University of Washington, Elizabeth began her career teaching preschool, which helped solidify her passion for early language and literacy development. She has taught 1st through 4th grades in Seattle Public Schools, Christina School District in Wilmington, Delaware and in Beaverton School District.

While working toward a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction focusing on literacy, she took on the role of Title 1 Teacher and Reading Specialist, providing students with reading interventions in Kindergarten through 5th grades.

Please join me in congratulating Elizabeth on this new and important role.

Luis Valentino, Ed.D.
Chief Academic Officer