Decoding Dyslexia CA (DDCA) is a 100% volunteer-run grassroots organization founded in 2012 as a chapter of the national Decoding Dyslexia movement.
Meet Our Statewide Leaders
Megan Potente, State Director
Megan has been active in DDCA leadership for over four years. She is also a Co-Leader of DDCA’s San Francisco Support Group and serves as DDCA’s Regional Leader for San Francisco/Peninsula Region. Megan is a former 20-year elementary educator with experience as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, literacy coach, special education teacher, and educational therapist in private practice. She has a BA from University of Michigan and MEd from DePaul University. A graduate of University of California Berkeley’s Educational Therapy program, Megan has extensive structured literacy experience, including expertise in the Slingerland Approach. Megan has been featured on KQED and also moderates the California: Science of Reading–What I Should Have Learned in College Facebook group. She has a son, brother, and a nephew with dyslexia.
Rachel Hurd, Assistant Director
Rachel has been active in DDCA leadership since 2015. She also serves as a Regional Leader for the San Francisco/East Bay Region and a Support Group Leader for DDCA’s Tri-Valley Support Group. Rachel has been a member of the Board of Education for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District since 2006. She has been involved with the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs for over 25 years, serving as Council President President, Special Needs Chairman, VP-Communications, and continues as an adviser and member of the communications committee. Rachel was the lead on the California PTA resolution, “Dyslexia: Addressing the Educational Implications in Public Schools” that was adopted in May of 2016. Rachel is a Director for the California School Boards Association (CSBA) representing Region 7. Rachel works as the Executive Director of Leadership San Ramon Valley, a local non-profit organization that provides an annual community engagement and leadership development program for adults who live and/or work in the San Ramon Valley. Rachel is a parent of grown children with dyslexia and has tutored students using structured literacy approaches, on a volunteer basis for many years.
Jennifer Salma, Community and Advocacy Specialist
Jennifer became involved with Decoding Dyslexia California (”DDCA”) after navigating her son’s learning differences. Her son was diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade, an experience that inspired Jennifer to help other families better understand dyslexia and to advocate for improved literacy instruction in California public schools. Jennifer has been active with DDCA since 2019 and has been on the leadership team since 2021. She serves as a Regional Leader for DDCA’s San Francisco Peninsula as well as a Co-Support Group Leader for the area. She contributes to DDCA’s statewide legislative advocacy, including efforts that helped secure universal screening for dyslexia risk. Jennifer engages with school districts, advocacy partners, and related professionals to increase awareness of dyslexia and promote the importance of evidence-based reading instruction. Jennifer holds a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Service from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco School of Law. She has trained with the Dyslexia Training Institute and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and serves as a Trustee at Athena Academy, a small Palo Alto school for dyslexic and twice-exceptional students. Jennifer is committed to ensuring every student with dyslexia is identified early and given the evidence-based instruction they need to reach their full potential.
Stephanie Simpson, Member Communications Coordinator
Stephanie has been active in DDCA for over three years. She is very involved in her local community and often meets with parents of children with suspected dyslexia to offer support and resources. She has two daughters with dyslexia and is active at their schools in a variety of volunteer roles. Before deciding in 2019 to stay home with her children and help them navigate their journey, she worked for over 10 years in a top-producing commercial real estate team. Her experience and the tools acquired in that position have benefited her as DDCA’s Member Communications Coordinator.
DDCA also has Regional Leaders, Associate Regional Leaders, and Support Group Leaders across California. Please contact us for more information.