Parent Advisory Council

NCLD’s Parent Advisory Councils include parent leaders and advocates in three states: Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Parent Advisory Councils work alongside NCLD’s Policy & Advocacy team to inform and empower parents of children with learning and attention issues. Together, we take action on local and national issues impacting the 1 in 5 students with learning and attention issues and their families.

Field Organizer

Susan Reynolds has spent her life being a part of the military community. Born in Richmond, VA she grew up Army, and married an Airman Thanksgiving Weekend 2005. Susan was an active volunteer in her military communities at Fort Bragg, NC, Sembach Air Force Base, Germany and Offutt AFB, NE. Susan has started military spouse groups, was an afternoon radio host on Armed Forces Network, and coordinated care packages to send to deploying service members.

In 2011, Susan learned that her then infant son Ian needed a cranial re-shaping helmet; she got a crash course on the inequities of healthcare policies within Federal payer programs. Susan has worked alongside the Children’s Hospital Association, National Military Family Association, Military Officers Association of America, and the American Academy of Pediatrics to advocate for military children’s healthcare.

The result was the passing of TRICARE for Kids and the legislation being signed into effect in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013. The TRICARE for Kids Coalition continues to work tirelessly on behalf of all military children.

Susan is the recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, was the first Air Force spouse and enlisted spouse to win the Cumberland County Military Child and Family Leadership Award. She has received numerous accolades from members of Congress due to her “boots on the ground” perspective which has allowed elected officials a true glimpse into military family needs. In 2014, Susan was named the Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year for her work in pediatric healthcare reform.

Susan’s commitment to the disability community stems from her own background. As a learning-disabled adult, (diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexia, and Visual Motor Processing Disorder) Susan has both understanding and empathy for people with invisible and visible disabilities.

Susan is married to Jeremy Reynolds a recently retired US Air Force service member, and they were blessed with the most wonderful Tiny Human, Ian. Jeremy and Ian light up the world and serve as Susan’s motivation. Currently, Susan is living in Springfield,VA and continues working on behalf of people with disabilities through advocacy and education. You can find Susan working alongside parents and partners with the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

Parent Leader, Pennsylvania

Dylan practiced law for several years before deciding that a career in education would be more personally fulfilling. He returned to school and received a master’s degree in education and taught special education in the Philadelphia public schools.

Dylan’s daughter Lauren was identified early in elementary school with learning differences. Although he was trained in special education and taught children with the same learning difficulties, being a parent to a child with learning differences opened Dylan’s eyes to the challenges and difficulties families face in navigating the system.

Parent Leader, Texas

Amy Traynor, OTR, M.A., ATP:  Amy is an occupational therapist, assistive technology professional, and most proud of her role as mom.  Even before she was a parent herself, she recognized the importance and value parents bring to the table and conducted an efficacy study of school based occupational therapy from a parent‘s perspective as her master’s thesis.

Most of her nearly 20 years as a school-based occupational therapist were dedicated to finding assistive technology solutions and supports for students with literacy and physical access needs. Almost two decades into her career, Amy found herself in the role of parent to a child with SLD and dyslexia, which only deepened her understanding and appreciation for the provisions of IDEA for students with learning exceptionalities and their families.

In addition to her role with National Center for Learning Disabilities as Texas parent lead, Amy is a contributing author for a quarterly dyslexia newsletter and also the founder of E2  Alliance, LLC,  which allows her to equip students and empower families as they navigate public education in their quest for free and appropriate education.

Parent Leader, Georgia

Tiffany serves as Parent Advisory Council Leader in Georgia where she helps NCLD engage with local parents who are interested in learning about laws and advocacy, sharing ideas, and influencing policies and practices.

Tiffany enjoys effectively advocating and building partnerships in communities that lead to positive outcomes for students with disabilities/learning and attention issues. Tiffany is most fulfilled when helping families advocate and learn. Her vision and ability to support and foster others lead to long term successful personal and professional relationships. When her child entered school, Tiffany explored opportunities to assist the school to strive for excellence, equity, and parent engagement. She was eager to build equal partnerships between parents, schools, and the community with a focus on achievement and success for ALL students. This led to a successful nomination for Vice President of School Council, organizing parent workshops, speaking engagements, education advocacy, PTA involvement, etc.

Tiffany previously served as a parent fellow with Understood.org and NCLD where she worked with a team that supported individuals with learning and attention issues in school, at work, and in life. Tiffany also supported advocacy campaigns and engaged with NCLD’s grassroots network of committed parents.

Tiffany earned her undergraduate degree in Accounting from Elizabeth City State University. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and they have one amazing child.