Dr. Cara McDermott-Fasy

Education

• Ph.D. in Education (Curriculum and Instruction), Boston College
• M.A.T. in Education (Elementary and Special Education), Rhode Island College
• B.A. (Psychology), Boston College
   

Selected Publications

Publications

McDermott-Fasy, C., Kurto, K., Foley, A., Obel-Omia, C., Feinberg, N., Zoll, S., Pinheiro, B., LaCroix, K., & Dennis, D. (2023). The science of reading in higher education: A collaborative effort to refine and enhance programs in the Ocean State. The Reading League Journal 4(1), 52-57.

Pinheiro, B., McDermott-Fasy, C., Imber, S., & LaCava, P. (2022). How one teacher preparation program met its students’ needs during the “new normal." Thresholds in Education 45(1), 19-40.

Kurto, K., McDermott-Fasy, C., Foley, A., Feinberg, N., LaCroix, K., & Dennis, D. (2022). Rhode Island Science of Reading and Structured Literacy Syllabi Refinement Tool.
RI-ScienceOfReadingStructuredLiteracy-SyllabiRefinementTool.docx (live.com)

Kurto, K., McDermott-Fasy, C., Foley, A., Feinberg, N., LaCroix, K., & Dennis, D. (2022). Rhode Island Science of Reading and Structured Literacy: Resource Bank for Syllabi Refinement.
RI-ScienceOfReadingStructuredLiteracy-ResourceBank.pdf

McDermott-Fasy, C., Obel-Omia, C., & Feinberg, N. (2021). Using innovation configurations to align syllabi to the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy. In A. Markelz, (Ed.), TED 2021 Conference Proceedings: Steering into the Future (pp. 239-243). Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Fort Worth, TX.

Selected Refereed Presentations

McDermott-Fasy, C. (April, 2027). Connecting stories, systems, and science: Preparing literacy advocates in a connected world. Presentation accepted for the World Literacy Summit. Oxford UK.

McDermott-Fasy, C., Labay, A., & Kane, C (March, 2026).  Resilience in education: Advancing literacy, behavior, and professional well-being. Presentation at the Annual Council for Exceptional Children Conference. Salt Lake City, UT.

Stollar, S., McDermott-Fasy, C., & Erikson, K. (November, 2025). Conversations on the Science of Reading: United in strength for research alignment. Conversion table at the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Kansas City, MO.

Piquette, V., Erikson, K., Hurst, S., McDermott-Fasy, C., & Stollar, S. (October, 2025). Structured Literacy in higher education: Advancing teacher preparation. Symposium at the 2025 International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Annual Reading, Literacy, & Learning Conference, Atlanta, GA.

McDermott-Fasy, C., & Obel-Omia, C. (April, 2025). Bridging a literacy scope and sequence from Elementary Education through Special Education in a dual certification program. Paper accepted for presentation at the World Literacy Summit, Oxford, England.

McDermott-Fasy, C., & Obel-Omia, C., Jones-Bromenshenkel, M., & Butcher, J. (November, 2024). What’s de-silofication got to do with it: Forging innovation in literacy through shared vision setting and collaboration. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the Teacher Education Division of the Council of Exceptional Children, Pittsburg, PA.

Jones-Bromenshenkel, M., McDermott-Fasy, C., & Butcher, J. (November, 2024). Forging ahead! Collaborating to reimagine our literacy coursework. Conversation session at the annual meeting of the Teacher Education Division of the Council of Exceptional Children, Pittsburg, PA.

Almagno, J., & McDermott-Fasy, C. (2023). Connecting the dots between assessment and intervention through a heightened awareness of common reading profiles. Roundtable session at the New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, NH.

McDermott-Fasy, C. & Obel-Omia, C. (November, 2022). Realizing every student’s right to read. Conversation session at the annual meeting of the Teacher Education Division of the Council of Exceptional Children, Richmond, VA.

Bass, A. & McDermott-Fasy, C.  (April 2021).  Where is the pipeline?  An exploration of interest and barriers for paraprofessionals in a large, urban school district.  Roundtable session at the New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, NH.

Selected Recent Unrefereed Presentations

McDermott-Fasy, C. & Mazzye, D, (October, 2026).  From Alignment to Impact: Coherent Higher Education Systems for Interdisciplinary Science of Reading Implementation. Invited presentation at The Reading League Conference, Chicago, IL.

Mazzye, D., McDermott-Fasy, C., & Kurto, K. (March, 2026). Action plan for educator preparation programs: Course alignment, program coherence, and school partnership. Invited webinar for The Reading League.

McDermott-Fasy, C. (2026). Individualized Education Programs: Unpacking the idea of educationally meaningful. Presentation at the Rhode Island Science of Reading Conference. Westerly, Rhode Island.

Mazzye, D., McDermott-Fasy, C., Kurto, K., & Hellstrom, E. (December, 2025). Educator preparation: Navigating the complexities of science of reading reform. Invited presentation for The Path Forward.

McDermott-Fasy, C., Mazzye, D., & Jones-Bromenshenkel, M. (October, 2025). Educator preparation: Navigating the complexities of science of reading reform. Invited presentation at The Reading League Conference, Chicago, IL.

McDermott-Fasy, C. (October, 2024). What does the journey to alignment with equitable, evidence-based literacy instruction look like?  Invited presentation of a PLC for MA educator Prep Faculty.

McDermott-Fasy, C. (October, 2024). Collaboration between Departments of Elementary Education and Special Education on a literacy scope and sequence. Presentation at the 2024 Summit on the Science of Reading in Higher Education. Charlotte, NC.

McDermott-Fasy, C. (September, 2024). Coursework related to Dyslexia in schools. Presentation at the 2nd Annual Rhode Island Science of Reading Conference, West Warwick, RI.

McDermott-Fasy, C. (2023). The Reading League Syllabi Consultant 3-Part Training Series. Developer and Trainer.

McDermott-Fasy, C., Obel-Omi, C., Bass,. A., LaCroix (2023). The science of reading in higher education. Inaugural Rhode Island Science of Reading Conference. North Kingston, RI.

McDermott-Fasy, C., Hurst, S., & Burns, M. (October, 2023). Reciprocity across R1 and teaching institutions for measuring impact on student outcomes. Presentation at the 2023 Summit on the Science of Reading in Higher Education. Syracuse, NY.

McDermott-Fasy, C. & Obel-Omia, C. (October, 2023). Collaboration across departments within a university on literacy reform. Roundtable presentation at the Inaugural Summit on the Science of Reading in Higher Education. Syracuse, NY.

Hayes, L. (2022). Strengthening intensive intervention preparation: A guide for teacher preparation faculty. Participated in the National Center for Intensive Intervention (NCII) summer workshop that contributed to the development of this guide.

Kastner, P., Lane, H., McDermott-Fasy, C., & Murdoch, A. (October, 2022). Aligning courses to research: The power of sharing resources. Presentation at the Inaugural Summit on the Science of Reading in Higher Education. Syracuse, NY.

McDermott-Fasy, C. & Carusi, D. (October, 2022). Intensive intervention within MTSS/RTI: A focus on common reading profiles. Roundtable presentation at the Inaugural Summit on the Science of Reading in Higher Education. Syracuse, NY.

McDermott-Fasy, C., Fritz. R., & Stollar, S. (October, 2022). Collaborative partnership on Dyslexia course: Assessment and identification. Roundtable presentation at the Inaugural Summit on the Science of Reading in Higher Education. Syracuse, NY.

McDermott-Fasy, C., Kurto, K., & LaCroix, K. (June, 2021).  Developing capacity for evidence-based literacy instruction.  Presentation at the 2021 CEEDAR Cross-State Convening.  Retrieved on October 8, 2021 from Breakout Session Materials.  

McDermott-Fasy, C. (December, 2020). Faculty professional learning series on intensive intervention (Webinar 4): Continuous program improvement.  Retrieved on December 30, 2020 from Faculty Professional Learning Series on Intensive Intervention | National Center on Intensive Intervention.

Courses

• SPED 390 Independent Study: Departmental Honors Project in Special Education
• SPED 412 Intensive Intervention in Literacy
• SPED 460 Capstone: Specialized Language Instruction
• SPED 471 Student Teaching in Elementary Special Education
• SPED 518 Literacy for Diverse Learners
• SPED 546 Dyslexia in Schools: Assessment and Identification

Additional Information

Research Interests

• Language-Based Learning Differences including Dyslexia
• Parental Experiences with the Special Education System
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
• Academic Assessment and Interventions
• Data Based Individualization​
• Mentoring/Induction

Certifications

• National Board Certified Teacher, Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist (2003-2013; Renewed for 2013-2023)
• Rhode Island Professional Administrator of Curriculum and Instruction
• Rhode Island Professional Administrator of Special Education
• Rhode Island Professional Teacher of Elementary Grades, K-6
• Rhode Island Professional Special Educator, Mild to Moderate, Elem/Mid Level, K-8

Trainer and Education Preparation Program Specialist

The Reading League Educator Preparation Program Partnerships

Recent Professional Development

LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling):  Facilitator Training (June 2022) with Yearly Literacy Symposiums (2022-Present)

LETRS: Training offered by the Rhode Island Department of Education: Unit 1-8 (June 2020 - June 2022)

Multisensory Teacher Training:  A Two-Week Summer Institute (inclusive of 30-hour Orton Gillingham Overview) offered by The Hamilton School (July 2019)

Recent Recognition

2023 Decoding Dyslexia Rhode Island Educator Ally Award

Positions Held

• Research Faculty for Undergraduate Capstone Projects: Specialized Language Instruction/Dyslexia
• Coordinator of the Undergraduate Elementary Special Education Program 
• Coordinator of the Graduate Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement
• Board Member and Rhode Island Representative for New England Educational Research Organization (NEERO)