Great Lakes Chapter
The Great Lakes Chapter of the Academic Language Therapy Association is a volunteer lead organization that promotes and supports instruction in the science of reading. This chapter serves as a regional affiliation for members of ALTA in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Chapter Events
We are dedicated to providing continuing education opportunities that promote the professional growth of our members. Events are worth continuing education hours (CE) to use towards ALTA membership requirements.
Find a Great Lakes Professional
Our members are made up of individuals with the CALP, CALT, ICALP, or CALT-QI distinction. Find an ALTA-certified professional in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin that represents the highest quality services to those individuals with dyslexia.
Chapter Resources
- Find a Professional
- Virtual Options Available
No updates at this time.
Check your email inbox for Tidbit Tuesdays! We send editable virtual blending boards and helpful slide activities to support tutors’ work with their students virtually as well as engaging classroom teachers with readily made activities.
Leadership
ALTA-GL is made up of therapists and practitioners dedicated to providing rigorous evidence-based multisensory structured language education (MSLE) therapy to individuals with dyslexia. Meet the leadership team.

Maggie Finamore, CALP, ICALP
President
Graduated from Saint Mary’s College in 2015 with an elementary education degree and a minor in mild intervention. Taught fifth grade. Developed and coordinated a high-ability program. Working as a reading interventionist in an urban school wherein the majority of students are well below grade level. Recognizing her passion to help students realize their potential, she pursued ICALP in order to support school teachers in delivering instruction backed by the science of reading.

Lauren Sheeley, CALP, I-CALP
Vice President
Lauren describes herself as a life-long learner. She studied Elementary Education at Purdue University. Upon graduation, she sought out additional literacy training to help her as a first-grade teacher. What started as a year-long course to better her understanding of literacy has turned into over a decade of dedication to the practice and implementation of best reading and intervention practices. Lauren pursued her Master’s in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Bethel University. Her most recent achievement is earning her Instructor of Certified Academic Language Practitioner, which allows her the ability to reach more educators and students. Currently, Lauren works as an Assistant Principal and the K-5 reading coordinator for Cassopolis Public Schools. In her free time, she loves working the land with her two young children and her husband.

Kim Haughee, M.A.E., CALT, I-CALP
Secretary
Graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in Education. Worked in the public schools for over 30 years as a general education instructor and a reading specialist. Recognizing the need for more intensive reading intervention options, she enrolled in an IMSLEC-accredited Orton-Gillingham training program. She has spent the last 20 years as a tutor and trainer using the Orton-Gillingham approach to help students make significant academic gains and empower teachers with the skills necessary to create an instructional environment to meet the academic needs of all children.

Laura Johnson, C-SLDI, CALP
Secretary
Lives in Michigan. Became a Certified Academic Language Practitioner with ALTA in 2017. Certified as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist with The International Dyslexia Association. Works as an active private practice and enjoys working in person and virtually with students of all ages. Holds a special place in her heart for the homeschool community and teaches small group homeschool reading classes (and drama classes) locally during the school year.

Julie Bohannan
Treasurer

Robin Rovick, CALT
Member-at-Large
Certified as a Certified Academic Language Therapist, Level IV-trained Orton-Gillingham reading specialist, Wilson Level 1 Certified Practitioner, and Certified Dyslexia Therapist through the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI). Worked as an educator with more than thirty years of experience in nurturing and building the skills of learners of all ages, with a special emphasis on developing the reading, writing, and comprehension skills of individuals with language-based disabilities. Served the IDA-UMB organization as Chair of the Information and Referral Committee, Vice President, and active member of several committees including Education/ Conference and Publicity/ Promotion. Provides remediation and advocacy work through her private practice at MultiSensory Reading Solutions, LLC. Served on the Board of Directors for Orton-Gillingham of MN and works with parent outreach organizations including Decoding Dyslexia to promote the adoption of multisensory, explicit, research-based reading instruction in schools and tutor training programs.

Yvonne Kinney
Member-at-Large
Yvonne worked as an elementary teacher for 18 years and a tutor for the last 4 years. Newly certified ICALP and Literacy Specialist for South Bend Schools. Loves seeing children grow and learn, but she is most passionate about helping teachers with their reading instruction.