Dyslexia Community Information Session - Devonport Library

Parents, carers, educators and community members are warmly invited to this informative and supportive session exploring dyslexia, reading challenges, and related learning differences.

• 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm - Parents, carers & community members

• 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Educators

Whether you are seeking answers, practical strategies, or ways to better support a learner, this session will provide valuable guidance, current information, and opportunities to connect with others in the community.

What We’ll Explore

• Understanding dyslexia and how it impacts learning

• Common indicators and early signs

• Assessment pathways and next steps

• Practical supports and accommodations for home and school

• Myths, misconceptions, and nonevidence-based practices

Who Is This Session For?

This session is suitable for anyone supporting a child, young person, or adult experiencing dyslexia or reading difficulties.

Stay afterwards for tea, coffee, conversation, and connection with others in the community.

Ella Blackburn and Jessica Scurry are the Square Pegs Education & Engagement Officers.

Ella and Jessica both bring strong teaching backgrounds, deep expertise, and lived experience with dyslexia. Their shared passion for inclusive education and community connection makes them a wonderful addition to Square Pegs and a powerful asset to the communities we support.

Ella is a dyslexic and autistic primary school teacher from Tasmania with a deep commitment to inclusive and empowering education. She holds an undergraduate degree in Behavioural Science, a Master of Teaching, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy. Ella has also completed Orton–Gillingham training and the Science of Reading short course at La Trobe University. She has worked across a range of schools in greater Hobart and currently teaches Gifted and Highly Able students with DECYP.

Ella was diagnosed with Specific Learning Disabilities, including dyslexia, in late primary school after years of challenges with reading, spelling, writing, and maths.

Jessica brings her own unique experience, passion, and expertise to the role. She is an experienced educator with specialist expertise in literacy intervention and learning diversity. Jessica holds a Master of Learning Intervention (Specific Learning Difficulties) and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (IB Diploma) from the University of Melbourne, a Master of Arts (English) from the University of Sydney, as well as a Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science.

Jessica has worked as an Intervention Teacher across upper primary and secondary settings since 2015 and previously held roles as a Learning Diversity Coordinator and English/Humanities teacher for Years 7–12. She has also operated her own literacy tutoring service and worked as a literacy consultant and early childhood literacy teacher.