Lynn Kuhn, M.A. CCC-SLP is an educational language and literacy professional with a strong background in preschool through secondary teacher training, coaching, and consulting with building and leadership systems. Her 23 years in public education included being a speech language pathologist, general and learning disabilities teacher and behavioral specialist supporting K through 12thgrade students who struggled with oral and written language and reading and writing skills. Her additional roles incorporated being a district level literacy facilitator and staff developer. Lynn’s next 20 years centered around her various skills and experiences within the field of literacy by developing a Colorado trainer of trainer multi-sensory structured language and literacy model; Colorado Reading First Professional Development Coordinator; Federal Early Reading First consultant and participated in active workgroups with the Colorado Department of Education addressing assessment, the Colorado state literacy plan, curriculum reviews and statewide literacy academies. Lynn is presently Past-President of the International Dyslexia Association-Rocky Mountain Branch; received the Colorado and Western region's Council of Learning Disabilities Outstanding Professional of the Year Award and is a CERI certified structured literacy dyslexia specialist. She is a National LETRS, LETRS for Early Childhood and LETRS for Administrator’s professional learning facilitator.
Today, literacy means much more than just reading and writing. It includes the ability to understand and express new concepts, communicate effectively, solve problems, and be adept with technology and the digital world (Maryanne Wolf). Dr. G. Reid Lyon continuously ended his presentations “Difficulties learning to read are not only an educational problem; they constitute a serious public health concern.” Being an educator, we must provide every student and adult the opportunity to grow, develop and live up to their literate potential. When we talk about learning to read it is critical to understand why oral language skills form the foundation for literacy, the medium of instruction and an individual’s social and emotional development.