Meet our team
Pam Henley
Center Director
CALT – QI
pam@nelmsdc.org
Pam is from Tahlequah, OK. Previously the founder of Crossroads Learning; she has dedicated her life to education and teaching children to read. She has a Master’s degree in education and reading, is a Certified Academic Language Therapist-Qualified Instructor, and is a Reading Specialist.
When she is not at the center she enjoys spending time with her grandkids, reading, and traveling with her husband, family and friends. For those of you that know Pam, she is pretty high energy. She loves to workout, jog, and cycle to burn off some of that energy.
“I really love giving hope and help to parents who are concerned about their child’s literacy learning. When working with students, I love seeing their faces light up as they realize they CAN read and spell! It’s a beautiful thing”
Jennifer Carter
Center Coordinator
CALT – QI in Training
jennifer@nelmsdc.org
Jen is from Prairie Grove, AR. She taught elementary school for 18 years and worked in private practice for five years before joining Nelms Dyslexia Center. Jen has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Dyslexia Therapy. She is a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist and a Certified Academic Language Therapist.
Outside of work, you can find her enjoying a good book, spending time with family, or cheering on the Razorbacks. Go Hogs!
“I have always loved the quote by Maya Angelou that says ‘I’ve learned that people may forget what you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I want kids to want to work with me. I want our kids to know and feel like they matter.”
Melissa Duersch
Assessor
CALT – QI in Training
melissa@nelmsdc.org
Melissa is a Certified Academic Language Therapist with over 15 years experience helping students with dyslexia and other language-related learning differences. She is a graduate of Utah State University with a Master of Arts Degree in History. She envisioned spending her life doing historical research in a dusty library and publishing books no one ever wanted to read. But, life had a way of redirecting her path.
When her third child struggled desperately to read, Melissa’s research led her to the field of dyslexia and related learning differences. Through professional education, she became acquainted with and trained in Structured Literacy and Orton-Gillingham methods of dyslexia remediation.
She enjoys watching Korean dramas. She is learning Korean which is an addition to learning German, Russian, and Spanish.
“Kids with dyslexia are just the best. When they start working with you, they have often been bruised by the educational system. When they realize that they can learn how to read, you see this positive change in them and their confidence. One of my favorite quotes from a student I taught: ’Don’t tell my Mom, but I kinda like coming here.’ Another is: ‘I used to sort of guess at the words and make something up, and now I can read the words. And I can do it really fast!’”
Donna Francis
Therapist
CALT
donna@nelmsdc.org
Donna is from Pocola, OK. She taught middle-level English language arts and reading for 15 years. Donna has a Master’s degree in education and reading. She is a Reading Specialist and a Certified Academic Language Therapist.
In addition to loving time with her grandkids, Donna is an avid reader, a new gardener and enjoys sharing produce with her friends. She has a registered therapy dog named Murry. Donna and Murry work as a team bringing joy to places that need it.
“As a teacher, it is great to have the dyslexia therapy tools to help our students. I want our students to know that they have a clear path to learn to read and have my constant support!”
Sarah Buchholz
CALP
sarah@nelmsdc.org
Sarah has been a resident of Springdale, AR for the past 23 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. When her youngest son was diagnosed with dyslexia he was placed in Take Flight therapy. His success with the program inspired her to learn more and dedicate her time to helping other children with dyslexia. She is now a Certified Academic Language Practitioner in training.
Sarah has a great love of reading, spending time at the lake, and staying active with friends and family. She loves scrapbooking, watching movies, and traveling.
“My goal as a therapist is to assist students in becoming positive, self-confident problem solvers who learn literacy and advocacy skills that provide them with the ability to achieve their full potential. As a parent, I believe this center is an essential community support for families experiencing challenges as they navigate dyslexia in their own lives.”
Jess Boggs
CALT in training
jess@nelmsdc.org
Jess recently moved to Arkansas to be closer to family. She was an elementary school teacher in her home state of Texas and was a reading interventionist in Oklahoma before moving to NWA. She attended the University of Central Arkansas where she earned a master's degree in literacy with an emphasis in dyslexia. She is a Reading Specialist, a Certified Academic Language Therapist in training, and a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist.
She loves reformer pilates, walking her quirky dog in the beautiful NWA parks, hiking with her husband, finding cozy spots to read books, and spending time with her family.
“Knowing how to read is not a skill we are born with. It is learned by building neural pathways in the brain. It is a mighty task for each of us, but can feel insurmountable for those with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. I want those students and their parents to know that it IS possible to learn to read. As a therapist, it is so rewarding to be a part of their literacy journey.”
Don & Millie Nelms - Founders
The Nelms Dyslexia Center was established in 2024 as a first project of the Don & Millie Nelms Foundation. These dyslexia organizations stem from Don’s life experience as a person with dyslexia. Despite his challenges with reading and spelling, Don excelled in business and many community and state leadership roles.
Don is investing the financial proceeds of his business success to assist students with dyslexia, their families, and their teachers.