Interview w/ Audie Alumbaugh

Audie Alumbaugh received her master’s degree in special education but has been an unpaid advocate for Arkansas children for over 10 years. Her passion began when teaching mathematics and recognizing that middle school and high school students were unable to perform at the potential when “word problems” were presented to them. it did not take long after that for her to realize the reading crisis in Arkansas. When her faculty position at the University of Central Arkansas and her advocacy for children resulted in what public school superintendents referred to as a “conflict of interest,” Audie left her faculty position knowing children’s education is more important and much more urgently needed. Audie has advocated for thousands of children and attended thousands of 504 and IEP meetings around the state as well as several outside of her home state. In 2015 Audie founded the Arkansas Dyslexia Support Group and funded its activities herself. Audie works tirelessly with the Arkansas legislature. Through her work several laws have been enacted strengthening public schools’ responsibility in identifying children with dyslexia and providing proper science-based intervention. Audie has assisted advocates in other states and worked to strengthen their laws as well.  This is a labor of love for Audie.  Further Resources and Audie’s Picks:More on Audie’s Work Arkansas Dyslexia Support Group (75 Taylor Circle, Conway, AR 72032)Arkansas Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (R.I.S.E.) resourcesPBS NewsHour segment highlighting Arkansas and Audie’s workBlueprint for a Literate Nation; How You Can Help by Cinthia Coletti An Uphill Climb by Dave Sargent"To whom much is given, much will be required" (Luke 12:48)