About the IDA-NNEA

IDA-NNEA (formerly known IDA New Hampshire) Branch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific and educational organization, promoting awareness about dyslexia and serving Maine,  Vermont and New Hampshire.

IDA-NNEA is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and research of dyslexia (language-based learning disability). We educate the community about the causes, symptoms, assessment and remediation of dyslexia; disseminate information about available resources; teach multi-sensory structured language instructional approaches to educators and other professionals; and collaborate with organizations working on behalf of people with dyslexia.

This branch’s goals are to increase public awareness of dyslexia, and through our seminars, conferences, and workshops, service individuals with dyslexia, their families, and professionals in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. The IDA-NNEA Branch sponsors workshops, conferences, trainings and scheduled community based trainings each year designed to provide information about different aspects of dyslexia.

Jesse Lowe, President

Jesse is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of IDA-NNEA. She holds a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University New England, and draws upon over twenty years of experience working with neurodivergent young people and their families in a range of roles, including classroom teacher, school counselor, community mental health provider, early intervention specialist and social coach. As a person with ADHD, she understands the strengths and challenges inherent in navigating life with learning differences. Her advocacy on behalf of dyslexic learners began when her son was diagnosed in the third grade. The maze-like experience of finding viable remediation options motivated her to get involved in the literacy conversation locally, ultimately inspiring her to join her community’s Educational Advisory Committee and to chair the SEPAC at her son’s school. As part of her journey, Jesse has homeschooled her two children, organized homeschool cooperatives, started an educational coaching practice, and completed a structured literacy training through Yokyworks. In addition to her new role within IDA-NNEA, she recently accepted a position as a licensure-track clinician at Family Associates of Merrimack Valley in Chelmsford, MA, where she hopes to continue to support neurodivergent clients to thrive. Her interests include learning about the science of reading, organic gardening, and hanging out with her family and their rescue dog.

Lilli Anna Henderson, Vice President

Lilli Anna, Director of Tutoring and Consultation, is a seasoned reading tutor and literacy coach. With her extensive experience and certification as a Level 2 Dyslexia Practitioner, she’s dedicated to transforming students’ lives through structured literacy lessons, primarily using the esteemed Orton-Gillingham approach. She has extensive experience successfully implementing the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum, Kilpatrick’s Equipped for Reading Success, Precision Teaching, Wilson Fundations Levels K-3, and UFLI. Beyond student interactions, Lilli Anna plays a vital role in our community as a literacy coach and consultant.

Diana Pettis, Treasurer

Diana is a certified reading and writing specialist in Maine and New Hampshire with over twenty years of experience. She has also completed certification through the Children’s Dyslexia Center in Rochester, NH in Orton Gillingham and is an Advanced Level 2 Practitioner and Dyslexia Therapist. Diana graduated from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing and then completed her teacher certification program at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. She also has a Master’s in Literacy Education from the University of Southern Maine in Gorham/Portland, Maine. Diana has lived in Maine for the last twenty years with her husband and two sons. She enjoys being at the beach, hiking, and gardening.

Nicole Merrigan, Secretary

Nicole, M.Ed., is an elementary reading specialist in Rochester, NH. Prior to taking on her reading role nine years ago, Nicole taught first grade for twelve years. She was trained in Orton Gillingham and uses these techniques in her daily reading intervention groups with students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Nicole is passionate about teaching reading- she loves how excited her students are to join her for reading intervention each day, and seeing students’ growth in skills and confidence is the most rewarding! Nicole lives hear the seacoast with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. She loves children’s pictures books and going to the beach in the spring and fall to hunt for sea glass and heart rocks!

Joanne Grobecker,  Member-at-Large

Joanne is the Literacy Initiatives and Family Engagement Facilitator at New Hampshire’s Parent Information Center. She received her BA in English Teaching at the University of New Hampshire and recently completed her M.Ed in Literacy. She is a lifelong learner and recently completed the LETRS training program. She believes in the power of families and in providing parents with the resources and training they need to ensure their children learn how to read. Joanne’s greatest joy is her two daughters who are both reading proficiently in public school. Joanne passionately believes that every child deserves to learn how to read.

Jessica Voglino,  Member-at-Large

Jessica is a certified reading and writing specialist currently working in NH public schools. She is trained in the Orton Gillingham methodology from the Dyslexia Training Institute. She is also well versed in Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing (LiPS) and Visualizing and Verbalizing. She received her bachelor’s in Elementary Ed from Franklin Pierce University and her Masters as a Reading and Writing Specialist from New England College. One of her biggest passions is the connection between the brain and reading.

Jennifer Cyr, Member-at-Large

Jennifer works as the English Language Arts lead teacher for the Rochester School District.  She is a school reading specialist at the School Street School and has worked in the reading field for 20 years.  She is a teacher trainer for Dibels Next, LIPS, LETRS, and other scientifically-based programs.  Jen attended school at the University of Maine, then Lesley University, and is currently updating her skills set at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.  She has completed level 1 Orton-Gillingham training through the Dyslexia Center in Rochester.   Jen has special interests in promoting scientifically- based training in teacher preparation programs, as well as in providing equity in public education for disadvantaged students.  

Andrea Pollock, Member at Large

Andrea is a certified educator currently working as a special education reading teacher in the NH public schools. She is a member of the professional staff at the Children’s Dyslexia Center in Nashua where she is a trainer of teachers at the initial level through IMSLEC accredited training. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and General Special Education from Rivier University in 2010 and her Master of Education with a focus on Reading Specialist from the University of New England in Maine in 2018. She is certified in the state of New Hampshire for Elementary Education, General Special Education, and as a Reading and Writing Specialist.