Michele Schaich is an early reading specialist with NWEA. She is a former university professor and elementary education department chair, public school administrator, reading specialist, classroom teacher, and exceptional children’s teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in learning disabilities, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her doctoral degree, from Gardner-Webb University, is in curriculum and instruction. She lives on a horse farm outside Asheville, North Carolina.