Lisa Plemons, M.S.Ed.

Lisa Plemons is a lecturer in the educator-preparation program at Baylor School of Education and program director of the BSEd in special education, within the Department of Educational Psychology. She teaches math and literacy courses and supervises field experiences for undergraduate students majoring in all-level special education. She earned her B.S. in elementary education and special education from Baylor University and M.S.Ed. in reading from the University of Texas at Tyler. She holds Texas teaching certifications in elementary education, all-level special education, English as a second language, and is a certified reading specialist. 

She spent 29 years as an educator in Texas public schools, teaching various grade levels and special-education settings, serving students with and without disabilities in both large and small districts. Building on that experience, she then took on a role as education specialist in the Special Education Department at Education Service Center Region 12. There, she provided professional development, technical assistance, and coaching support to 78 public and charter schools in Central Texas, focusing on areas such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, Section 504, and special education. She also worked with other state and regional dyslexia specialists to ensure consistency across statewide dyslexia guidance. Additionally, she offered professional development and coaching for both Special Education and General Education teachers at the elementary level to support all content areas in serving students with disabilities. Other responsibilities included conducting professional development on topics such as inclusion and other service delivery models, students with disabilities, and students with learning disabilities, including twice-exceptional learners and students with dyslexia and dysgraphia, as well as Section 504.

As a Certified Reading Specialist, she has collaborated with educators and researchers across Texas and beyond to help teachers make data-driven decisions that improve literacy instruction for all students, resulting in better outcomes for all learners. Her focus is on evidence-based practices that promote student success for students with and without disabilities. Her work has enabled her to become a trainer in LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), Reading By Design, the Texas Reading Academies, and Anita Archer’s Explicit Instruction. While at Region 12, she led training sessions, oversaw an online ELAR course for Teacher Preparation and Certification Program (TPCP) students, helped develop statewide training for dyslexia and dysgraphia, and contributed to other statewide initiatives. She also regularly responded to parent calls regarding questions or concerns about special education, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and Section 504. After leaving ESC Region 12, she continued to be involved with dyslexia initiatives across the state, serving on the Texas Dyslexia Handbook Update Committee and the Dysgraphia Subcommittee, and working on additional statewide dyslexia projects.

Since 2019, she has mentored, taught, and supervised Baylor’s all-level special education undergraduate students, as well as those who are dual-certified as they prepare for careers teaching students with and without disabilities. She consistently strives to give her students the best pre-service experience, collaborating with colleagues and exploring all areas of special education.