EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Chair (2020-2021)
Alida Hudson is currently a Ph.D. student in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading and Literacy at Texas A&M University. She earned a Masters of Education in Reading from Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. Prior to becoming a full-time doctoral student, Alida taught in Texas public education for 11 years, including serving as a classroom teacher and reading specialist. During this time, Alida became an active member of TALE because of the professional resources and network it provides for classroom practitioners. Alida also serves as the Director for TALE’s Communication Committee. Alida maintains an active scholarly agenda publishing and presenting at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
Chair-Elect (2020-2021)
Kamshia Childs is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M University-Commerce. She obtained an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Southern University and also holds a B.S. in Elementary Education (ESL), and M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction (Reading and Language Arts) from Kansas State University. Kamshia has been a literacy educator for nearly 20 years, and has worked in urban and rural settings in K-12 and higher education. She has published several literacy and multicultural education articles in peer-reviewed literacy journals, written a self-published book, contributed to books, and presents at various state, national, and international conferences on topics related to literacy, educator empowerment, parent involvement, and culturally relevant pedagogy.
Executive Secretary
Rebekah E. Piper is an Assistant Professor of Literacy in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M University San Antonio. Rebekah earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy Education and Cultural Studies, International Education, and Multicultural Education (CSIEME) from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Rebekah is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the International Literacy Association, the Children’s Literature Association, and the Texas Association for Literacy Education. Her research interests include pre-service literacy teacher education, children’s literature, identity development, and early literacy development. Rebekah teaches undergraduate and graduate course work in literacy education and serves her community by working with organizations that promote literacy and service.
Treasurer (2019-2021)
Shelly Landreth, Ed.D. is an Assistant Professor of Reading at the University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa. She earned her Doctorate in Literacy from Sam Houston State University in 2019. Prior to moving to higher education, Shelly spent 23 years in K-12 education serving as a secondary teacher, librarian, and curriculum director in Texas public schools. She is involved in several professional organizations, including Texas Association for Literacy Education, International Literacy Association, and Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, where she enjoys connecting with colleagues at conferences and presenting on literacy related topics. Shelly’s professional interests include issues related to secondary reading, especially equipping secondary educators with the necessary tools to assist their struggling readers.
Past Chair (2019-2020)
Malene Golding is the founder of Golding Touch Education Consulting, LLC, which provides critical professional development and job-embedded coaching in reading and writing instruction for universities, regional centers, districts, and campuses. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at University of Houston-Clear Lake where she teaches Survey of Reading to preservice teachers.
Malene recently served as the Director of Elementary Literacy in Houston ISD, the seventh largest district in the nation serving over 215,000 students. In this capacity, she assisted upper management in efforts to direct, develop, and evaluate the district’s comprehensive literacy plan, as well as managed, planned, organized, and developed systemic changes to improve student literacy in collaboration with other central office departments and district campuses.
As a professional educator for over twenty years, she enjoys teaching, coaching, and inspiring reading and writing teachers, as well as administrators and specialists. Simplifying reading and writing instruction for teachers and students is one of Malene’s passions. She is convinced that it is essential to create informational learning opportunities that are purposeful, but also engaging and fun.
Malene recently served as the Director of Elementary Literacy in Houston ISD, the seventh largest district in the nation serving over 215,000 students. In this capacity, she assisted upper management in efforts to direct, develop, and evaluate the district’s comprehensive literacy plan, as well as managed, planned, organized, and developed systemic changes to improve student literacy in collaboration with other central office departments and district campuses.
As a professional educator for over twenty years, she enjoys teaching, coaching, and inspiring reading and writing teachers, as well as administrators and specialists. Simplifying reading and writing instruction for teachers and students is one of Malene’s passions. She is convinced that it is essential to create informational learning opportunities that are purposeful, but also engaging and fun.
