Denise Eide

Denise Eide has her hand on the heartbeat of the literacy crisis and is pointing to a way out. Having grown up in a disadvantaged family and struggled with math, Denise understands the hopelessness experienced by students who struggle with illiteracy. She has a gift for connecting people to answers, providing hope, and empowering and motivating others to action.

    Pursuing an M.A. in Second Languages and Cultures Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota, Denise worked with non-profit organizations to develop ESL curriculum. She also taught English at a University in Russia. During this time she discovered that Eastern Europeans think systematically about language. Her students asked many questions about spelling. Yet at that time her best answer was, “That is an exception. English has evolved, and it is no longer logical.” It was not until later, when her sons struggled to learn to read, that Denise discovered an Orton-Gillingham approach to reading. Instantly she recognized the tremendous benefit the rules and phonograms offer to struggling readers, ESL students, teachers, parents, and everyone who must master reading and spelling in Englsih.

    In order to share her excitement, Denise put together a presentation called “The Logic of English.” While giving this presentation, she discovered the Literacy Crisis: two-thirds of U.S. students read below grade level. Teachers exclaim that everyone is talking about the problem but that Denise is the first person bringing hope and answers. Wherever Denise speaks, people rush forward to tell their personal stories. Scientists, mathematicians, and engineers concur, the logical structure of English should have been taught in kindergarten; it would have spared them immeasurable confusion. Parents and community leaders become passionate about changing their communities.

    Denise strongly believes that one should not need to be diagnosed with a disability to be taught how English works. In order to empower others, she founded Pedia Learning, the company that publishes the Logic of English series of books and curriculum. Her first paperback, "Uncovering the Logic of English," has won four publishing awards and has been recognized by Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Reid Lyon, and Dr. Robert Sweet, Jr.

    Denise is a transformational speaker with a unique ability to inspire audiences to become part of a grassroots movement to bring about widespread social change. She offers keynote presentations, popular workshops, and training seminars. Her message is appropriate for educational conferences, schools, businesses, non-profit organizations, and civic organizations who want to be part of reversing the literacy crisis and ensuring the success of all students.