Our Team

Our team is a passionate group of like-hearted individuals, each driven by their unique 'why' and united by a shared commitment to the mission and purpose of Classmates Literacy Foundation. 

Staff

  • Kristen Eidson is the Founder and Executive Director of Classmates Literacy Foundation. Kristen is passionate about equitable access to high quality education for at-risk students. She enjoys building meaningful connections with supporters and highly values collaboration. As Executive Director at CLF Kristen oversees all aspects of the organization.

    This journey began for Kristen over 20 years ago when she stepped into Sojourner Truth School in Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood to serve as a reading tutor for a third grade student. Kristen was working at the financial services firm Credit Suisse and volunteering through a partnership the company had with the literacy nonprofit Working in the Schools (WITS). For 8 years she served as a tutor and coordinator for the reading program. She also worked closely with the Credit Suisse Philanthropic Foundation to increase volunteer opportunities available to Chicago employees, providing volunteer and funding support to numerous Chicago non-profits.

    In 2008 she completed her Master’s in Public Policy with a focus on Education and soon after accepted the role of Director of Programs at WITS. Kristen has worked with hundreds of students and teachers in over 30 Chicago Public Elementary schools. She found this work deeply meaningful and it is where she saw firsthand the transformative power of literacy. These experiences also highlighted for her the pervasive racial and ethnic disparities that persist in our education system. On her desk today are photos and notes from the students she worked with and these students are the “why” behind her work today.

    Kristen lives in Middleton, Wisconsin with her husband, three school age children, and dog.

  • Lizzie Brown is currently studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating in June 2026 with a degree in Community and Organizational Development and a certificate in Social Justice and Education. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, she is driven by a deep empathy for others and a belief that meaningful change happens when communities are supported and seen.

    At UW-Madison, Lizzie has combined hands-on leadership with her passion for service. As Fundraising Director for Kappa Alpha Theta, she organized and executed successful large-scale events. She currently works as a childcare provider, where she supports children's development and builds strong partnerships with families.

    Lizzie's interest in educational equity grew from working with students in special education, where she saw firsthand how systems can both support and fail kids depending on who they are. These experiences shaped her belief that every child deserves to be seen fairly and given the opportunity to thrive. She also volunteers with MMSD, fostering engagement and connection with students.

    Through her campus involvement with the student clubs, Lizzie has led volunteer efforts and expanded community outreach. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and crafting. She is excited to support Classmates Literacy Foundation's mission that every child deserves a strong foundation in literacy, regardless of background.

Board of Directors

  • Having dedicated her professional life to the wellbeing, education and mentorship of children, Jillayne Benjamin is a passionate advocate for literacy and experiential engagement to further children's social/emotional, cognitive and academic development. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and an M.S. in Child Development from the esteemed Erikson Institute in Chicago. Her comprehensive studies and training proved integral to her successful contributions in the classroom, where she taught various grades, and was a reading/math specialist. Jillayne also developed and led the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) and RtI (Response to Intervention) programs at a Chicago charter school serving students kindergarten through 8th grade. In addition to her extensive teaching experience, she has also held key roles in developing programming, curriculum and trainings at the national non-profit, Common Threads, and WITS (Working In The Schools). Jillayne’s knowledge, versatility and deep experience working on behalf of children’s initiatives continue to be a priority today in her collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders in her community to foster growth and curiosity in young minds. Jillayne serves on various local school committees and volunteers with the hunger relief organization, Beyond Hunger, in Oak Park. In her free time she loves to read, travel, and spend time with her husband, 2 kids and 3 cats. She is committed to furthering her life’s work by proudly serving on the Board of Classmates Literacy Foundation, where her expertise in child literacy can make the largest impact.

  • Celeste M. Bermejo was educated in the Valley View 365U School District where she attended A. Vito Martinez Middle School and graduated from Romeoville High School. She went on to attend Northern Illinois University as a General Assembly Scholarship recipient then transferred to Lewis University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and her MBA in Finance.

    Celeste is a Financial Advisor with WestPoint Financial Group, where she specializes in helping clients retire with confidence and works to help small business owners mitigate financial risk. Celeste believes that knowledge is the key to a successful financial future and is passionate about educating families on financial literacy.

    Celeste currently serves as the President of the Fountaindale Public Library District Board of Trustees. She has served on the Board of Trustees since 2017 where she applies her valuable experience in writing policies that govern the library and the staff, understanding of financials and developing budgets. She also leads the Strategic Planning Team for the Fountaindale Public Library to continue to grow and develop library services.

    In her personal life, Celeste is a foodie and a traveler. She loves to explore new countries, cities and their food scene.

  • Stephen Broadbent lives in Colorado with his wife and two daughters. He is a Managing Director at Accenture, where he focuses on operational strategy and on transforming and scaling delivery organizations worldwide. His work also includes the responsible use of AI and automation. Stephen’s interest in children’s education and well-being grew during the pandemic, as he watched his own children and others cycle between in-person and remote learning and lose the structured support many depend on. This experience also led him to become an advocate for Section 504 plans, which provide support for students with learning differences. Inspired by founder Kristen Eidson’s ability to turn a critical need into action, Stephen was drawn to the mission of Classmates Literacy Foundation and its alignment with his desire to support children’s education and well-being. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and nonprofit board certification from BoardSource, and brings expertise in strategic planning and scaling programs to advancing CLF’s mission.

  • As a literacy-driven educator, Yvette Manns has invested over a decade and a half to improving educational practices in the state of Georgia. Through the years, Yvette has collaborated with hundreds of teachers, administrators, and school district leaders across the state of Georgia through direct coaching, professional development sessions and training resources. Yvette received House Resolution 821, in honor of her impact to the community in the Westside of Atlanta, and has also been featured in multiple media outlets for her ingenuity in education and literature.

    Her career path has progressed from being an elementary educator, to a curriculum developer, and now she runs her own educational publishing company. Through her company, she creates high interest children’s literature, which includes her series entitled, “Phonics Read-Alouds.”

    Yvette’s desire to enlighten children is the motivation behind her learning materials that are in over 16,000 classrooms, libraries and museums in the United States, Canada, Australia and Senegal. “We have the responsibility to reach back and uplift our youth, in ways that will improve their potential outcomes and possibilities for success,” she believes.

  • Melissa is a Wisconsin resident who lives with her husband, 16 year old son, and three dogs. She is a pharmacist of 20+ years and currently works at UW Health. Her passion for literacy is both personal and professional.

    Her personal connection to literacy within the school system stems from her son’s current and past struggles in navigating curriculum with dyslexia and ADD. He is a high functioning, bright child and it took many years of advocating, private testing, and back and forth with the school to get a 504 plan to support his learning needs.Melissa's professional connection to literacy stems from patients' challenges with understanding how to take their medications. She has worked on many initiatives with Wisconsin Health Literacy to improve readability of prescription labels and improve medication direction prescribing practices at a health system level to meet health literacy best practice standards.

  • Jacqueline is an Illinois native, raised in the community of Hinsdale. Serving the Chicagoland area, Jacqueline's extensive knowledge of the real estate market, coupled with her dedication to providing exceptional service, positions her as a trusted ally for both buyers and sellers which serves as a valuable asset in the real estate landscape.

    Before venturing into real estate, Jacqueline accrued over a decade of experience in the medical field, demonstrating her commitment to health and well-being.

    Jacqueline's transition from the medical field to the role of a devoted stay-at-home mom to six boys is a testament to her unwavering commitment to family and community. Her ability to balance the diverse needs of a large family underscores her dedication to creating a nurturing home environment and emphasizing the importance of family values. Her love for the community and a deep belief in the transformative power of service led Jacqueline to actively engage in various capacities. Proudly serving as a Rotarian and board member, she embodies the principles of service to others, promoting integrity, goodwill, and peace among business, professional, and community leaders.

    Jacqueline's commitment to community service extends beyond her Rotary involvement. She has served as a team leader at the local food pantry and clothing closet, demonstrating her dedication to addressing the immediate needs of those in her community. Additionally, her role as the PTO president at her boys' elementary school underscores her hands-on approach to cultivating a positive and supportive educational environment.

    Although Jacqueline herself is dyslexic, the turning point in her journey came in 2018 when her son was diagnosed with dyslexia. This not only significantly impacted his academics but also took an immense toll on his self-esteem and sense of self-worth. The introduction of the SLANT program was a transformative turning point for her son, catapulting him from severe struggles with reading and writing to developing the proper, necessary skills needed to succeed. Today, he not only reads and writes with confidence but is thriving and achieving goals that were once deemed unattainable. This personal experience fuels her advocacy for empowering teachers with the proper skills and tools needed to nurture learners effectively, ultimately fostering hope, instilling confidence, and paving the way for lasting success in the lives of dyslexic students. Jacqueline strives to create awareness, promote understanding, and ensure that all students, regardless of their learning differences, have the opportunity to flourish and succeed in their educational journeys.

  • Dr. Karyn Tomkinson is a National Literacy Director with extensive experience in leading transformative literacy initiatives grounded in the science of reading. She also serves as an adjunct professor and teaches graduate-level reading courses. Karyn has over 20 years of experience in public education as a special education teacher, reading interventionist, District Literacy Coach, and Director of Curriculum. She completed her doctorate degree from Ball State University in 2016 in Special Education, with a cognate in Educational Leadership. Her dissertation on the Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD-3) assessment and third-grade retention allowed her to research how children learn to read and identify best practices.

    Karyn has been trained in LETRS Volume I and II, IMSE Comprehensive, IMSE Morphology+, and Structures. As a licensed Indiana teacher, she will soon complete Keys to Literacy training. Currently, she is attending Mount Saint Joseph University, where she is working toward her Science of Reading certificate and IDA certification. She loves learning about how the brain learns to read and is passionate about improving literacy outcomes for children. A mother of four boys and a lifelong learner, Karyn is dedicated to education and continuous growth.

  • Michael Wiebe grew up in the Madison-area and currently resides in Mount Horeb.  Mike currently works as a Business Banking Officer at Park Bank.  He has gained a significant amount of experience in financial analysis and modeling for businesses and non-profits working previously as a Credit Analyst.  After graduating from Edgewood College with a B.S. in Business Administration, he worked as an Associate Banker gaining budgeting, marketing, and management experience.  Mike’s passion is people and appreciates the ability to help others accomplish their business, financial and personal goals through his daily work.  Outside of work Mike enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his Wife and family every moment he can.  Mike was drawn to the mission of Classmates Literacy Foundation because he attributes a significant amount his educational and vocational success to a reading resource officer at his elementary school identifying he was falling behind in 3rd grade.  With the help of that teacher, his reading level caught up with the rest of the class a few years later, which drastically improved his outlook on his education.  In addition, a significant portion of his family were educators and he holds a deep respect for those that teach and mentor our youth.

Volunteer Leaders

  • Megan Carlson is an educator with over 20 years of experience serving children and families in underserved communities. Her journey began as a first-grade teacher in Chicago Public Schools, where she developed a deep commitment to equity in education. Today, she mentors student and alternative licensure teachers at a Chicago university. Megan’s dedication to educational equity is personal. As a dyslexic learner, she knows the challenges students face when reading feels out of reach—and the life-changing difference a well-trained teacher can make. This perspective drives her to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed, no matter their circumstances. Megan is an invaluable partner to CLF, connecting us with schools and teachers in her network and ensuring our support reaches the educators who need it most.

  • Heidi is a passionate educator and literacy leader who has spent over 25 years turning struggling readers into confident learners. With a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and experience spanning classroom teaching, special education, Title I, and district leadership, she is known for closing achievement gaps and sparking accelerated growth. 

    As a reading specialist, resource teacher, and leader of a K–5 literacy intervention team, Heidi brings extensive expertise in science-based structured literacy, data-driven instruction, and multi-tiered support systems to drive lasting change. She holds multiple lifetime certifications, is pursuing Orton-Gillingham Dyslexia Practitioner credentials, and consistently designs effective systems and interventions. Heidi also offers online tutoring from her home in Edgerton, Wisconsin, where she’s embracing a new chapter of life—empty-nesting alongside her husband and their beloved furbabies. Heidi’s mission is simple: empower teachers, inspire students, and make every learner’s success possible.

  • Keegan Wilson is a passionate and highly diversified educator with a wide range of experience tenured with a history of success in and out of the classroom. Over the past decade, she has both school and district experience in leadership roles such as teacher, reading interventionist, RTI interventionist, and district dyslexia interventionist specialist. As a certified Orton-Gillingham and LETRS Academy educator, Keegan is knowledgeable and eager to provide literacy support. She is valued amongst colleagues and supervisors and beloved by students and families as her mission to meet any educational need is paramount in her teaching philosophy. Keegan founded Know Dyslexia to provide tailored services for tutoring, advocation, and consultation.

    Keegan is very involved in the CLF mission and believes that everyone has the right to explicit, direct, and systematic phonics instruction. She is very involved in The Reading League- South Carolina and looks forward to fulfilling the mission of Classmates Literacy Foundation. Keegan believes in this mission and wants more educators to have access to high quality literacy instruction.

  • Jenn brings over two decades of experience to her work as a literacy specialist, with a background that includes classroom teaching, tutoring, intervention, and instructional coaching. She currently serves as a Reading Interventionist and Literacy Coach, supporting K–5 students and leading district-wide professional development on literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading.

    Jenn is passionate about systematic, explicit, and multisensory instruction. She’s completed over 500 hours of Orton-Gillingham training through Learning Abilities and is LETRS certified (Volumes 1 & 2). She now co-teaches the Orton-Gillingham course through Baker University and continues to embed its principles into her daily instruction and tutoring sessions. Beyond her full-time role, Jenn also tutors students after school and during the summer, providing personalized literacy support to struggling readers.

    Jenn serves as an advisor and partner to Classmates Literacy Foundation, offering valuable insight into the realities of today’s classrooms and contributing to program planning. Her on-the-ground experience and deep commitment to equity make her a trusted voice in shaping CLF’s work.