February 20, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Board of Education voted today to expand the roles of two Mississippi Department of Education employees who will lead efforts to improve literacy statewide.
Dr. Kymyona Burk will be the state literacy director, and Robin Lemonis will be the director of intervention services. Dr. Kim Benton, MDE chief academic officer, said the expanded roles show the agency’s commitment to advancing literacy and student supports from early childhood education through high school.
“In examining the office structure for elementary education and reading, we see a deep need not only to focus on quality reading instruction from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade, but also to grow supports for struggling learners across grades and content areas,” she said.
Burk has 16 years of experience in the field of education. She currently serves as an MDE educator-in-residence, responsible for coordinating K-3 literacy efforts – including literacy coaches, targeted school literacy training, and additional professional development sessions for teachers statewide.
“The training she has coordinated and led has been absolutely remarkable. I have no doubt that she has the skill set and vision to improve literacy across grade levels. This position will provide oversight for the implementation of the 3rd grade reading law, coaching for reading instruction, literacy support grants, and literacy from Pre-Kindergarten through 12thgrade,” said Nathan Oakley, executive director of the Office of Elementary Education and Reading at MDE.
Prior to working with the MDE, Burk worked with the Mississippi Learning Institute, first as the literacy coordinator and also as director of professional development and training. She also has taught middle school and high school English courses as well as college writing courses.
Robin Lemonis has 22 years of experience in the field of education. She currently supports districts, parents, and other MDE staff in the areas of dyslexia, early childhood, response to intervention, and literacy. She has served as a teacher in both general education and special education. She has taught students from Pre-K to college, with a repeated focus on supports for struggling learners.
In addition to her classroom experience and work at the MDE, Lemonis has worked as a district intervention specialist and district dyslexia coordinator for the Rankin County School District. She is also a licensed dyslexia therapist and a Certified Academic Language Therapist, and she serves as a member of the Mississippi Reading Panel.
“This position will provide leadership for dyslexia supports, English Language Learners, and student intervention services across the Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade spectrum,” Oakley said.
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