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., 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.

McDermott-Fasy, C., Obel-Omia, C., & Feinberg, N. (November, 2021). Using innovation configurations to align syllabi to the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy.  Paper session at the annual meeting of the Teacher Education Division of the Council of Exceptional Children, Fort Worth, TX.

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
• Rhode Island Representative for New England Educational Research Organization (NEERO)