Marie is an Educational Diagnostician specializing in learning disabilities and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. She has been an educator for 40 years and has 25 years experience in evaluating for learning disabilities. In addition to starting and running the Sinkinson Dyslexia Foundation, Marie is the founder and owner/operator of Tidewater Learning Center in Virginia Beach. Since 1996 she has been on staff at Tidewater Community College as the Educational Diagnostician for the Office of Educational Accessibility Services. Marie and her family moved to Virginia Beach in 1996. She is the proud wife of a retired Navy Commander, mother of 4, and grandmother of 5 angels.
Barbara is an enthusiastic supporter of SDF and its work in unlocking the world of reading for people with dyslexia. She is excited to join the Board and bring her experiences with non-profit work, strategic planning, and operations management.
She completed the Board of Academy offered by the Center for Non-Profit Excellence and hopes to bring energy and ideas about how to advance the important mission and work of SDF!
Barbara has a passion for teaching to empower learners and has taught at the University of Virginia (UVA) for the UVA Launchpad and UVA Advance programs and at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC). Most recently, she worked as a Senior Consultant for Workforce Planning in Human Resources at UVA. She has leadership experience in managing teams for efficient operations, financial management, customer service, and global strategy. Her education includes a Certificate of Professional Development in Global Strategy and Leadership from The Wharton School and a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) from Babson College
Christin is the eldest daughter of SDF President, Marie Sexton. Christin was a tutor and Office Manager for Tidewater Learning Center for 20 years. During her time there, the Sinkinson Dyslexia Foundation was established. Christin worked closely with Marie to develop the foundation into what it is today. She had her hand in creating the tutor training methods, assessment reports, fundraising, maintaining financial records, and developing the website. Christin is currently employed by the US Navy as a civilian Acquisition Specialist. Her husband is also a navy civilian. Their daughter, Skyler, is studying Anthropology and Archaeology at James Madison University. Christin is a proud Old Dominion University alumni and football season ticket holder.
Jake is a founding board member of Sinkinson Dyslexia Foundation. He served on the board for 11 years. Jake is a singer, songwriter that recently released his third album, "Eyes on the Horizon". He is best known for playing the saxaphone with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band since 2012. Jake has over 11 years of volunteer work in mentoring and leadership development for Young Life and Christian Surfer organizations. He holds a degree from the Governor's School for the Arts.
Lisa Smith earned a BA in Psychology at Kalamazoo College and an MA in Education at the University of Michigan, with endorsements for teaching students with emotional impairments and learning disabilities. She was a special education teacher at elementary schools in Michigan and Virginia for ten years. She dedicated the next several years to raising her two children, but volunteered as a teacher of English to adult immigrants in a church-based program. Upon moving to Virginia Beach with her husband in 2016, Lisa learned about the Sinkinson Dyslexia Foundation's mission and decided to put her teaching skills to good use as a volunteer tutor. She has helped two students graduate from the program so far, and is excited to see progress in the reading and writing skills of her current student. Lisa is honored to serve on the SDF Board, where dreams about reaching and teaching more struggling readers are turned into inspiring realities. She has been spreading the word about the joys of working with children and their wonderful families, and has successfully recruited friends to join the tutor brigade!
We are continuing to work towards making a greater impact within our community. However, due to the recent pandemic, fundraising has become more difficult than ever. With the cancellation of many of our events we are seeking support from individuals like you.
