Championing for Readers: Michelle Norwood named Community Advocate of the Year by Inner Northwest Dyslexia Alliance
Posted on 04/01/2026
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NEWESD 101 is proud to celebrate Michelle Norwood, Regional Literacy & Multilingual Coordinator, for being named Community Advocate of the Year by the Inner Northwest Dyslexia Alliance.
Norwood received the award earlier this month during a NEWESD 101 ELA Fellows Network gathering, where regional educators came together around strong literacy practices and student learning.
The Inner Northwest Dyslexia Alliance is a Spokane-based nonprofit whose mission is to support, empower and advocate for individuals with dyslexia, their families and professionals. The organization focuses its work through four pillars: awareness, community, professional development and financial assistance.
That mission closely reflects Norwood's work across northeast Washington. Through her leadership, she helps strengthen educator knowledge, improve instructional systems and advance practices that support reading growth for all learners.
“Advocacy to me, means building knowledge, strengthening systems, and equipping educators with the daily instructional moves that ensure reading success for all students,” Norwood said.
The alliance also provides literacy-focused support and resources for the community, including professional learning opportunities and intervention services designed to complement classroom instruction for students with dyslexia.
Norwood’s recognition is a meaningful reminder that advocacy can take many forms, from supporting educators in their daily practice to helping build systems where more students can thrive.