Missy was born in North Georgia and currently lives in Metro Atlanta with her husband Mark, their three boys—Harrison, William, and Matthew—and two furbabies, Barkley and Bauer. She holds a degree in middle school education from the University of Georgia and has over 15 years of experience in public education, specializing in inclusion.
After successfully advocating for her dyslexic son’s right to read, Missy dedicated much of her time to volunteering with families of children with learning differences and advocating for policy changes that ensure every child has the right to read. She co-founded Gwinnett Advocates for Dyslexia, a grassroots organization advocating for evidence-based reading instruction in Gwinnett County, and serves as the Education Chair for Decoding Dyslexia Georgia (DDGA), a parent-run, grassroots organization pushing for change at the state level. Missy also co-founded The Science of Reading for Advocates, a group focused on equipping and resourcing leaders committed to ensuring all children can read.
When she’s not working or advocating, you can find her with coffee in hand at a band concert or on the baseball fields cheering on her boys!
I aspire to be like Jeanne Chall. Here’s why:
I aspire to be like Jeanne Chall because of her groundbreaking work in literacy research and her unwavering commitment to improving reading instruction. I first discovered Chall’s research when I began advocating for my own son’s right to read, and her emphasis on phonics and systematic, evidence-based methods resonated deeply with me. Chall’s ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice, along with her focus on ensuring all children have access to strong foundational literacy skills, inspires me to continue advocating for effective, research-backed approaches to reading instruction, so that every student can unlock their full potential.
Why I love my job:
I love my job as a community organizer at GACAN because it gives me the incredible opportunity to bring people together around issues that have a profound impact on our communities. It’s amazing to witness how collective action can drive real change and move us toward solutions that have the power to transform every single community. Since the end result of our advocacy often directly shapes a child’s educational experience, I can think of no better work to do. As Marian Wright Edelman said, “The future of our children lies in the hands of the people who care about them,” and I am honored to be part of a team that fights for brighter futures for all children.
My connection to public schools:
My connection to public schools runs deep, starting at the age of 4 when I entered Head Start. I am a proud graduate of public schools, attended a public university, and eventually became a public school teacher. As a product of public education, I am deeply committed to ensuring that all children have access to the same opportunities I had. Public schools are the cornerstone of a well-functioning democracy, providing every child—regardless of background—with the chance to succeed. This is why I work tirelessly to help parents advocate for their children’s right to a free, quality public education.
What I’m bad at:
I’m absolutely terrible at parking cars—it’s like my brain just can’t comprehend the concept of staying between the lines. I notoriously fail to park straight, and it only gets worse when someone’s with me. The pressure to perform turns me into a parking disaster, and suddenly, my car’s halfway into two spaces like it’s trying to claim extra real estate.
The image that represents why I work at 50CAN:
Matthew is the reason I became so passionate about advocating for literacy. When he was in fourth grade, he dreamed of becoming a baseball player, but he was still struggling to learn how to read. His desire to read almost stood in the way of his dream. Every day I show up for a child or a parent, part of me is showing up for Matthew—because I understand how crucial literacy is for every child’s future, whether they’re on the field or in the classroom. The hard truth is, our schools aren’t getting it right for many kids, and we need to keep pushing for change. Every child deserves a chance to read and learn, and that starts with ensuring our kids can attend schools that teach them to read.