Featured Panelists

Diane B. Gifford, Ph.D.

Clinical Associate Professor, Literacy | Southern Methodist University

Dr. Diane Gifford is a clinical associate professor in the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development at Southern Methodist University. In 2013, she earned her Ph.D. in Educational Research with a focus on literacy and, in particular, specific reading comprehension deficits in children. During her doctoral studies at SMU, she was one of ten chosen nationwide for the Council of Exceptional Children’s Division of Research Outstanding Doctoral Student Scholars for 2010. She also holds a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Prior to coming to SMU, Dr. Gifford spent over 18 years as a classroom teacher and administrator in the Dallas, Texas, area. As the Director of Curriculum at a school of over 800 children in preschool through Grade 8, she instituted academic programs, provided professional development opportunities, mentored teachers, and supervised the administering of benchmarks and continuous progress monitoring indicators, guiding subsequent interventions for at risk students in both reading and mathematics.

Currently, Dr. Gifford teachers graduate and undergraduate classes in literacy and learning at SMU. Additionally, she has worked on several grants and special projects, including Project Intensity, the istation Formative Assessment Project and istation Teacher Resources Project, and most recently, working to develop ways in which to advance literacy learning in adult non-readers.

Dr. Gifford received her B.A. in Elementary Education at Southern Methodist University in 1982. In fact, she was a member of the last class to receive this degree before it was dropped as a major field of study. Over the years, she has watched as a new and dynamic Simmons School of Education and Human Development has moved to the forefront of research, evidence-based teaching and instruction, and policy development. She is proud and honored to be a part of the Simmons School and its mission of Changing Minds in the 21st century.

Debbie Murillo, Ed. D.

Instructional Strategy Director, Early Learning / Dallas ISD

Dr. Debbie Murillo serves as the Instructional Strategy Director of Early Learning. She has had the honor of transforming literacy among the youngest learners in Dallas ISD by leading the work with curriculum, digital learning, and the Reading Academies. Working in Dallas ISD is special to her because she is a proud product of the district and now has the opportunity to give back to the students in the community she grew up in.  She has served Dallas ISD as a teacher, coach, manager, and now a director.  Her goals include instilling the joy of reading in all students and helping teachers reach their full potential through quality professional development and coaching. Debbie’s greatest gifts in life include her two daughters, husband, and two fur babies.

Doretha Allen, Ed.D., NBCT

Seasoned Educator, Former CAR Lead Teacher, Veteran CAR Board Member

Dr. Doretha Allen is a National Board Certified Teacher. She is a former Catch Up & Read lead teacher at Wilmer Hutchins Elementary School where she identified strategic points for improvement to the program. During her 20+ year career she has been a teacher, reading coach, Academic Coordinator, Academic Facilitator, Blended Learning Instructional Lead Coach, Innovation & Redesign Coordinator and is the new School Design Administrator in Garland ISD. She taught hundreds and influenced thousands.

Her self identified greatest accomplishment is her family. Husband Sheldon of 20 years and two awesome children Davonna 14 and David 10. Dr. Allen has a sense of urgency about education because kids don’t have time to lose while adults are figuring it out on the fly.

Susan Cope, M.A.T., M.Ed.

Director of Programs / Catch Up & Read

Susan Cope graduated from Trinity University with a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.). She taught for over 15 years in public, private, and university-model schools in San Antonio, Colorado Springs, and Dallas. All these years were in primary grades one through three. While in San Antonio, Susan was named District 20 Teacher of the Year and was featured in the Wall Street Journal. In addition, she tutored elementary students for over 10 years in reading, writing, and math. Susan served as an education coordinator with Catch Up & Read for 1.5 years before being promoted to the position of Director of Programs. Susan oversees a team of literacy coaches who ensure campus-wide fidelity to the research-based and data-driven teaching techniques by which the Catch Up & Read program has experienced so much success. Through these strategies both teachers and students grow.

Elena S. Hill, Ed.D.

Assistant Superintendent, Early Learning / Dallas ISD

Dr. Elena S. Hill serves as Assistant Superintendent for Early Learning in Dallas ISD where she works to create quality learning environments for children, build capacity in PreK-2nd grade teaching teams through high-quality coaching structures, build community stakeholder connections, and empower families to be their child’s best, first teacher.  

In her previous roles, she served as executive director of a group of schools for six years, an elementary principal for four years and two years as an assistant principal. She is a proud Dallas ISD graduate who began her career as a Prekindergarten teacher. At the elementary level, Dr. Hill also taught kindergarten and elementary reading intervention to third through sixth graders.  

She earned her bachelor’s degree in child development from the University of North Texas, two master’s degrees in elementary education and educational leadership from Texas A&M Commerce and University of North Texas respectively, and doctorate in educational leadership and policy from The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Hill has 28 years of service in education.