Dyslexia Leader at Mississippi College Receives National Award

Kay Peterson

Kay Peterson’s splendid leadership with Mississippi College’s dyslexia therapy program over the past decade is receiving national attention.

The two-year master’s program on the Clinton campus trains therapists to work with students with dyslexia and related learning disorders. There are 127 MC graduates with a dozen more students to receive diplomas at the May 9 commencement.

An MC professor since 2004, Peterson has served as president of the Academic Language Therapy Association that includes 1,300 professionals in 39 states and India.

Peterson was honored with the Aylett R. Cox ALTA Educator Award at the organization’s annual conference in Dallas, Texas on April 25. Leaders say her work training teachers and leadership in organizations raising awareness about dyslexia has touched many lives.

“Kay Peterson is one of the most diligent, creative and innovative instructors I have had the opportunity to observe,” said Mississippi College School of Education Dean Don Locke. “We’re so pleased to have her recognized nationally for her efforts.”

Created in 1986, the non-profit ALTA group is dedicated to the remediation of written and language skills for students. The group promotes standards of educational practices and professional conduct for certified academic language therapists.

Peterson is a dyslexia advocate dedicated to providing training for practitioners and therapists. She is leader of the LEAD/Literacy Education and Academic Development, Inc. in Dallas. The Texan earned her bachelor’s degree in child development at Texas Tech and her master’s in business administration and human relations at Amber University.

Mississippi College’s program has seen steady growth since 2004. The graduate program presently enrolls 65 students, but 42 more students will begin classes July 14.

“Mississippi College is fortunate to have her as a significant part of our dyslexia initiative,” Locke said.

Dyslexia is a learning disability in children affecting their reading, writing and spelling. It can persist through life for many people.