Advocate Program

Elissa Aten is Co-Founder and Executive Director of PC READS. She is also a Certified Dyslexia Advocate and assists families with developing action plans to ensure that their children receive the support and resources necessary to succeed in school. She and her husband moved to Park City in 2008 with their two children, one of whom is dyslexic. Elissa is a strong proponent of public education and previously served as a Park City Education Foundation (PCEF) Board Member. Her involvement with PCEF included volunteering as Fundraising Chair for Running with Ed, a 38-mile annual relay race held in Park City. Originally from upstate New York, Elissa graduated from Dartmouth College and then spent two years teaching middle school math in Baltimore, MD with Teach for America. After teaching, she received her J.D. from Boston College Law School, practiced law in Boston and later worked as an Associate Director of Career Services at Boston College Law School. Elissa enjoys being an active Dartmouth alumna and is currently serving on her Class Executive Committee. Elissa and Elliott spend most of the winter weekends on the ski slopes, looking for hidden powder stashes.

Molly loves a life filled with adventure. Growing up in a Navy household, she moved frequently and attended a range of schools, from diverse public schools to DoD and private boarding institutions. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Virginia Tech, she continued her travels, living in five different states and countries before settling in Park City in 2007. Following an epic bike ride across America, Molly put down roots in Park City with her husband and two kids, who attend school in the Park City School District.  Molly’s passion for new experiences and learning has driven her to take on a variety of community roles. She has been a ski instructor, bike mechanic, nordic ranger, soccer coach, board member of Friends of the Library, and a Certified Dyslexia Advocate. When she’s not advocating at PC READS, you’ll find her adventuring with her family—whether they’re canyoneering, rock climbing, cliff jumping, tackling a via ferrata, or diving into their latest new excursion.

Emily lived overseas, in Argentina and Brazil, for the first six years of her life before her family relocated to Utah. She received a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from BYU and soon after began working in a family mental health clinic in New York City. She had her first child while living in New York City and the other two after moving to San Francisco. In 2015 she and her family moved to Park City where she and her husband expanded their household to include dogs, chickens, ducks, and bees with occasional sheep that frequent their small farm.

Emily has two children who were diagnosed with dyslexia later in their school years and were still able to receive support through PC READS. She is grateful for the valuable information she received from this organization and is now looking forward to helping parents and students of any age as they work through reading and academic challenges.

Courtney grew up in Mill Valley, California before her family moved to Park City in 1993. Courtney received a bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the University of Colorado Boulder and worked on several local, state and national political campaigns. A lifelong learner, Courtney shifted her focus to education and returned to school to earn a Masters of Science in Child Development and a Masters of Science in Special Education from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She taught preschool and special education in Boulder, Colorado and worked for the Park City School District as a reading aide while raising her family. Courtney and her husband joined her family in Park City in 2007. When not on the golf course or skiing, Courtney and her husband are busy raising 3 sons, 2 dogs, 4 cats and 1 fish. Courtney is excited to be a certified dyslexia advocate and to help families navigate their IEP and 504 journey.

Amy grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Political Science.  She moved to Chicago, started working and then went back to school after getting married.  Amy graduated from the University of St. Francis with a master’s degree in Education and later obtained her LBS 1 special education endorsement.  After spending ten years as a special education resource teacher in the Chicago suburbs, Amy moved to Midway, Utah with her husband, 2 crazy dogs and 2 cats.  Her son and his wife moved here a year later and her daughter is also in Salt Lake City finishing up her bachelors degree.  In November, Amy became a grandmother to Milo and spends as much time with him as possible, while also tutoring students in the Midway/Heber and Park City areas.  Amy’s experience working with students who have learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADD, and autism has made her realize the importance of helping families navigate the process for getting support for their student and looks forward to continuing that journey with PC READS.