Karyn Robson
With over 20 years of experience teaching children ages 3–12 in private schools across the Northern Virginia/National Capital Region and abroad in Tokyo and Berlin, she brings a genuinely global perspective to her work. She has extensive experience supporting both gifted students and those with special needs, and as the mother of a dyslexic student herself, she is deeply passionate about providing appropriate intervention, remediation, and accommodations for students with dyslexia. That personal experience has shaped not only her teaching philosophy but also her empathy for the families navigating these challenges.
Having lived in areas underserved by specialist English-speaking teachers for both gifted and dyslexic students, she understands firsthand how difficult it can be to access the right support — and she is excited to help bridge that gap through distance learning. She genuinely enjoys the advantages of one-on-one instruction, whether in person or remote, where she can give each student her full attention and tailor her approach to their needs. Her patience, sense of humor, diligence, and deep pedagogical knowledge make her a natural fit for tutoring, and she looks forward to working with your child.
Jacqueline Robson
Jackie graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and English. She has over eight years of experience teaching children from preschool through elementary school, where she assisted and led classrooms, ran Writer's Workshop, and led reading and discussion circles. After moving to Colorado in 2019, she transitioned to online literacy tutoring, gaining experience with the Barton Reading and Spelling System and Foundations in Sounds before joining Peak Reading Solutions to work with EBLI.
Jackie loves to travel and has visited 17 states and lived in three different countries. When she's not exploring somewhere new, she enjoys reading, playing board games with family and friends, and spending time with her pets. She brings that same spirit of curiosity and adventure to her work with students, and she is excited to help your child build confidence and skills as a reader.
Don Lance
Don has been teaching for over 18 years and holds certifications in Elementary Education, Special Education, and 6–12th grade science. He began his career in 2005 at an alternative high school before spending the past 14 years focused primarily on reading instruction as a special education teacher and interventionist. He is a certified dyslexia specialist with experience in the Wilson Reading Program and now brings that expertise to his work with EBLI.
A New Hampshire native, Don relocated to Colorado in 2020 with his wife Caroline, a Speech-Language Pathologist, and their two children, Timothy and Elizabeth. As a family, they love being outdoors and have fully embraced Colorado life through hiking, snowshoeing, and exploring everything the state has to offer. Don brings the same enthusiasm for discovery to his work with students and looks forward to helping your child grow as a reader.
Nicole Hawley
Nicole is a licensed teacher with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. While working to earn her Master’s Degree, Nicole worked in classrooms ranging from preschool to middle school, both general education and special education. Upon graduation, Nicole began teaching first grade, where she taught for six years. As a classroom teacher Nicole worked to create a safe, encouraging classroom environment. She taught each subject area and had a drive for providing quality reading instruction. Nicole taught whole groups, small groups, and 1:1 intervention. She found that her passion is working 1:1 with students to identify and target skills that will help them grow and flourish. Nicole and her husband moved to Colorado Springs in 2018 and knew that this was the place they wanted to raise their family. They have loved showing their children (Taylor, 4.5 and Elliot, 3) all the beauty Colorado has to offer. They enjoy hiking, camping, and spending their free time outside!
Monica Sturm
Monica graduated from Friends University with a bachelor's degree in human services and psychology. A licensed teacher with over 10 years of experience, she spent eight years in Special Education supporting students from kindergarten through sixth grade, and has spent the past two years as a reading interventionist helping students build foundational skills and confidence. She finds her greatest joy working one-on-one or in small groups, where she can connect with students academically and personally and tailor her approach to their unique needs.
Although Monica has always wanted a puppy, her husband's allergy to pet dander led them to a juvenile axolotl named Pepper instead — full of personality and always keeping her entertained. In her free time, Monica enjoys classic English literature and propagating indoor plants to gift to others. Originally from Kansas, she moved to Colorado in 2007, where she and her three adult children have fully embraced the mountain lifestyle and all the adventure it offers.
Angie Seltzer
Angie has always had a passion for teaching and learning. She earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Wittenberg University and a master's in Mathematics Education from The Ohio State University. After starting out in middle school, her love for math led her to a long career writing and editing curriculum for major publishers — giving her a deep understanding of state standards, how math concepts build over time, and what students need at each grade level.
For the past 15 years, Angie has tutored students of all ages and ability levels, using visual models, thoughtful questions, card games, and engaging online activities to help concepts truly click. She lives in Ohio with her husband and their friendly black cat, Flurry, and in her free time enjoys reading, gardening, and solving math puzzles just for fun. She's excited to help your child build confidence and discover the joy in math.
Amy Leong
Amy is a lifelong learner who loves to read and discuss literature with anyone who will join the conversation. She grew up in Colorado Springs and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in English and Elementary Education, then spent twelve years moving around the country with her Air Force husband — teaching in a Montessori school and beginning to explore homeschooling along the way. In 2007, they returned to Colorado to raise their six children, three of whom are adopted from China. Her children have faced a range of challenges including physical disabilities, dyslexia, dyscalculia, hearing loss, and intellectual disability, and it was through searching for ways to help them that she developed a deep love for teaching reading, especially to students who face various obstacles. For the past ten years, Amy has tutored students using the Barton Reading and Spelling System and Foundations in Sounds, and now works with EBLI. She thrives on meeting students where they are and moving them forward with hope and joy. Outside of tutoring, she enjoys cross stitching miniature versions of famous paintings, cooking, reading, and spending time with her husband, her adult children, and her yappy Miniature Schnauzer, Scout.
Elizabeth McNamara
Elizabeth holds a bachelor's degree in Germanic Studies from the University of Illinois and has spent the past sixteen years homeschooling her five children. Two of her children were diagnosed early with autism, apraxia of speech, dyslexia, and ADHD, which led her to begin tutoring them using the Barton Reading and Spelling System. When a couple of her children continued to struggle more than she had hoped, she tried the EBLI app and quickly saw more progress than she had seen after six months of Barton. That experience convinced her to make the switch, and she is now training with EBLI and excited to bring the method to other students as well.
In addition to homeschooling, Elizabeth has taught early elementary classes in the homeschool community and especially enjoyed coaching high school students in speech, policy debate, and mock trial. Over the past year she has also supported a seventh-grade class through a well-known enrichment program in Colorado Springs. Before settling in Colorado in 2021, she lived in seven states and spent time in Germany. She and her husband are grateful to have found their home here, and she enjoys gardening, working on their small homestead, and spending time outdoors with her family. A lifelong learner, Elizabeth is passionate about discovering new curricula and teaching methods to support students of all ages.
Victoria Neighbors
Vicky is a retired Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in reading disorders. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Pre-School Special Education from North Park College in Chicago and holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University.
With a family history of dyslexia, Vicky has been passionate about learning more about the disorder for over 30 years. She worked in public schools at different points in her career, homeschooling her four children in between. During that time, she also began tutoring other students, deepening her love for teaching reading.
Vicky lives in Minnesota with her husband of 45 years. She enjoys birdwatching, reading, walking out in nature, playing piano and organ, and spending time with her six grandchildren.
Finley is a certified educator with a rich and varied background in both humanities and STEM instruction. Originally from New England, she began her teaching career in English and social studies before discovering a deep love for math through tutoring and intervention work. She holds certifications in English Language Arts, social studies, biology, middle school science, and math, and brings a strong foundation in structured literacy through training in UFLI, Structured Word Inquiry, Reading Simplified, and EBLI — making her especially effective with students who have dyslexia or other learning differences.
Known for her creative, multisensory approach, she may have one of the most impressive collections of math manipulatives in North America, and she puts them to work making abstract concepts concrete and engaging. Outside of tutoring, Finley is a professional voice actor, theater enthusiast, and outdoor adventurer who enjoys soccer, sailing, and gymnastics. Her sessions are engaging, thoughtful, and always tailored to the individual learner.
Finley Smith
Angie Newbury
Angie Newbury, MEd, is a certified Reading Specialist with over 20 years of experience supporting students with language and literacy needs. She holds a master's degree in Early Intervention and is certified in Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI). Angie previously tutored using the Barton Reading and Spelling System, completing all 10 levels with students, and has also completed LETRS training. Her experience across multiple structured literacy approaches allows her to support students who have struggled with traditional phonics programs, using a speech-to-print approach that often helps reading finally make sense.
With a background as a Teacher of the Deaf, an ELL teacher, and a college-level instructor, Angie has worked with diverse learners and multidisciplinary teams throughout her career. Outside of tutoring, she enjoys painting, fishing, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Nicole Pierantoni
Nicole Pierantoni is a reading tutor with a genuine passion for literacy and education. A graduate of Chapman University with a B.A. in Sociology, she has spent over eight years teaching STEM classes, developing an approach that weaves reading skills into complex subject matter and reinforces literacy as a foundation for success across all academic areas. She is certified in Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI) and brings a patient, caring presence to every session — including a genuine love for the many stories her students share with her. Her expertise, dedication, and warm teaching style have made a meaningful impact on students of all ages and ability levels.
Born and raised in southern California, Nicole still lives there with her husband, her two sons Enzo and Antonello, and their sweet Boston Terrier, Capri. On weekends you'll find the family at the beach, paddle boarding, visiting Disneyland, or settling in for an 80s movie night together.
Sarah Brich
Sarah is a reading tutor who uses a structured, linguistic phonics approach to help students understand the patterns of language and become confident readers. She has completed training in Reading Simplified and Science of Reading coursework through the State University of New York, and brings a distinctive background in pattern-based thinking from nearly five years of teaching web development through programs affiliated with Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Wisconsin. That experience — breaking complex systems into clear, logical steps — translates naturally into her approach to literacy instruction. She has worked with students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and as the parent of a child with CAS herself, she brings both professional skill and personal understanding to families navigating speech and literacy challenges.
Sarah is currently completing her EBLI certification and is available online across a wide range of grade levels, from Pre-K through adult. Outside of tutoring, she is a certified yoga instructor and brings that same calm, patient presence to her work with students.
Maria Elena Mazza
Maria Elena Mazza is a NYS-licensed elementary teacher with an MA+60 and 33 years of classroom experience. She served for nine years as a math, science, and technology coordinator and spent the majority of her career teaching in the classroom. In the later years of her career, she focused on reading and math intervention, supporting students in grades K–6 who needed additional time, guidance, and targeted instruction to succeed.
Maria Elena understands that every child learns differently. She takes time to understand how each student processes information so that every session can be thoughtfully designed around the individual child’s strengths, needs, and learning style.
Her work is grounded in neuroscience and evidence-based instruction. Maria Elena is a Certified Wholistic NeuroGrowth™ Learning and Life Success Coach, a Certified Blocks to Flow™ Nervous-System-First Practitioner, trained in EBLI (Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction), which has produced amazing results, and holds a certification in Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Math. These approaches help her identify underlying learning blocks and support students in building strong academic foundations with confidence.
Maria Elena believes there is always something new to learn. She is passionate about professional growth and is continually enrolling in courses and training to bring the most effective strategies to the students and families she serves.
Jona Tuft
Jona's path into reading instruction began when her son was diagnosed with dyslexia. Determined to help him succeed, she spent the following decade studying the science of reading and training in structured literacy methods. She is certified in the Barton Reading and Spelling System and EBLI and has experience teaching Foundations in Sounds. She specializes in working with struggling readers and students with dyslexia, building the foundational skills that make reading possible — phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency — through research-based instruction.
Jona believes every child deserves quality reading instruction and works to build the confidence students need to begin seeing themselves as capable readers. Over time, many of her students begin to feel like family, and there is nothing more rewarding for her than watching a child discover that reading is something they can do — and do well.
Kate O'Rourke
Kate is a literature lover with 15+ years of teaching experience. She has master’s degrees in Special Education and Creative Writing, and training in EBLI and Releasing Writers (ThinkSRSD). Kate’s love of social-emotional learning, authentic literature, and linguistic phonics come together in warm, friendly, fun, and practical sessions. Kate’s goal is to empower you to set up good learning habits that spark self-motivation and self-discipline, so your family can find success on your own terms, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Kate loves working with learners of all ages. She taught special education in Chicago Public Schools, worked as a developmental therapist and parent coach in homes, community centers, and clinics, and homeschooled her neurodivergent daughter in middle school. Kate now teaches literacy to teens in juvenile detention, and facilitates virtual classes in literacy, math, music and movement, and mindfulness. Kate adores creative writing, karaoke, cats, yoga, meditation, and exploring the beautiful Sonoran desert around Tucson, Arizona. Join Kate’s virtual classroom for learning that’s holistic, disability friendly, family-centered, and safe and affirming for all.
Maira has over 10 years of experience working with students as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and school leader. She believes every child can make meaningful progress with the right instruction, the right pace, and consistent support.
Over the past three years, Maira has focused on 1:1 structured literacy and comprehensive math support, including working with students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. She is EBLI certified and uses a multisensory speech-to-print approach to help students understand the logic of the English alphabet code while building strong skills in reading, spelling, writing, and handwriting. She is also completing training in the Releasing Writers (Think SRSD) program to further support students’ writing development.
Maira holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics and helps students make sense of math through clear explanations and visual models. Instead of memorizing steps, students learn why the concepts work. Her goal is not only to build skills, but also to build confidence so students begin to feel capable and enjoy learning. Maira is a certified Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) and is always exploring creative ways to make learning engaging and meaningful, helping students develop a lasting love for learning.
Outside of teaching, Maira enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new places with her husband and their three kids, and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Maira Mujtaba
Leigh Anne is an experienced literacy educator with a passion for supporting struggling readers, including students with dyslexia. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Alabama and brings 34 years of experience as elementary classroom teacher, reading interventionist, as well as a literacy coach within the same school system. She specializes in speech-to print instruction and is trained in EBLI and Think SRSD to further strengthen her ability to deliver effective, research-based intervention. She has past experience teaching with S.P.I.R.E., Barton Reading and Spelling, and UFLI. Her work focuses on targeted instruction with close collaboration with families to ensure each child receives the support they need. She believes that every child can learn to read with the right approach, and is dedicated not only to improving reading skills, but also building confidence, independence, and a love of learning.
As a lifelong Alabama resident, Leigh Anne values family and friends. She enjoys spending time with her husband, grown children, three grandchildren, and pets. Relaxing with a good historical fiction book, walking by the river, and gathering for family cookouts are her favorite pastimes.