Our FACULTY
What Makes Us Unique?
ALL of our teaching faculty have completed explicit coursework and/or hold certifications related to dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and positive behavioral training.
Leah Skinner, M.Ed
Adminstrator
Leah holds a Master of Education: Dyslexia Specialist degree and is a Certified Dyslexia Therapist trained in numerous Structured Literacy Programs (Orton-Gillingham). She is working towards a Doctor of Education in Reading and Literacy. Being a Certified Special Education Advocate, Leah is committed to helping parents navigate the world of education and dyslexia. After a rewarding five-year experience at a school for dyslexic students, Leah made the decision in 2020 to bring her passion and knowledge to a larger community. She opened READ Academy of Sacramento/READ Learning Center with a team of talented and experienced teachers. Leah’s endeavors are supported by her husband of 30 years and her five sons (4 of whom are dyslexic).
Lori Bassham
Administration: Student Assessments
Lori received her Multiple Subject Credential in 1992 and has worked in both Public and Private schools since then. Lori is a passionate advocate for kids with dyslexia. When her son was diagnosed with dyslexia, she experienced firsthand the anxiety and self-esteem issues that sometimes accompany the dyslexic child. That is when she made the decision to dedicate herself for the last 8 years to helping students with dyslexia learn to READ. Lori is excited to work at READ Academy as part of the administrative team, as a mentor and as a classroom teacher.
Shelley Russ
Administrative Secretary
Shelley has over 17 years of experience working with children in a public school setting and also with dyslexic students in a private school setting. In addition to being a talented Certified Barton Reading and Spelling instructor, Shelley is the go-to person for students, staff and parents alike. She is a dedicated administrative assistant and tirelessly supports all staff. She is the friendly voice on the phone, the smiling face at the beginning and end of the day, the safe-keeper of students, and the one that everyone knows.
Ebony Davis
Administrative Assistant
Ebony is a proud first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development from Sacramento State. Passionate about supporting young people and their families. She is dedicated to applying her education to create positive change in the community. With a strong foundation in developmental psychology and hands-on experience, Ebony aims to empower children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In her free time, she enjoys painting, baking, and reading, which enrich her understanding of creativity and nurturing in youth development.
Julie Starbird
Director of Staff & Student Affairs / Director of Language Arts
After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Government, Julie worked in IT for a Financial Services company for 10 years. When one of her three children was diagnosed with dyslexia, Julie became passionate about wanting to help other children who were struggling to read. Julie is a Wilson Dyslexia Therapist and is certified in the Barton Reading and Spelling System. In addition, Julie is also responsible for helping staff and students with day to day support as necessary. She is excited to be a part of READ Academy!
Jen McNairy
Director of Mathematics
In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Jennifer has completed over 500 hours in Making Math Real coursework and has been a classroom practitioner of the MMR methodology for over 8 years. Jennifer became passionate about specialized math instruction when her daughter was identified with dyslexia and dyscalculia. Jennifer’s personal experience with her own four children (2 sets of twins!), her experience with hundreds of students with learning disabilities, her specialized instruction at the Making Math Real Institute, and her extensive independent research makes her one of the area’s leading specialists in addressing dyscalculia.
Milan Djurasovic
Director of History and Writing
Milan is an accredited IEW instructor who holds a BA in Psychology and a minor in History from the University of California, Davis. He also studied at the European College of Liberal Arts in Berlin, Germany and holds a Master of Arts in Russian Cultural Studies from the European University at St. Petersburg, Russia. In his free time, Milan enjoys reading, writing and playing sports. He brings his passion for history and his love for basketball to Read Academy where the students strive to beat him during the friendly lunchtime games. READ is lucky to have both a historian and an athlete in our faculty!
Alyssa Albert
Director of Science
Alyssa grew up in Truckee, California where her passion for teaching first began when she made online videos teaching children various speech and writing topics for a private school. She then began to teach more hands on learning as a children’s snowboard/ski instructor. Alyssa attended California State University of Monterey Bay and while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies. She also completed courses in Psychology and Childhood/ Adolescent Development. Alyssa is responsible for curriculum management and science teacher support.
Kassie Hughey
Teacher (Reading/Creative Writing)
Kassie has always known that she wanted to be an educator. She first worked with struggling students by volunteering for the Placer County Reading Council. She then tutoring using the Barton Reading and Spelling System receiving her Advanced level certification in 2018. In addition, Kassie holds a Bachelor’s in English from Sacramento State University. Kassie has worked with dyslexic students for many years teaching Foundations in Sounds, Barton and Wilson Reading System. She is a Master Level Certified Barton instructor as well as a trained Wilson Reading Instructor. She helps students reach their fullest potential through compassion, empathy and a teaching style that is tailored to every student’s needs.
Brianna Gonzalez
Teacher (Math/Science)
Brianna’s passion for teaching and helping students began in high school where she became a tutor in Math and Science. She then went on to attend Sierra College where she pursued her Bachelor’s Degree in Science, while also completing courses in Psychology and Human Development. She utilizes her instruction in Making Math Real to educate her students efficiently, ensuring that they receive the quality of math instruction and a deep understanding that they deserve. She strives to create a positive and engaging environment where her students are able to build confidence and excel in their work.
Achante Broadnax
Teacher (Social Studies/Writing)
Achante began her journey into education in high school where she tutored in English writing classes. As she continued her education, teaching became something that she grew passionate about. Her goal is to help all students achieve confidence in their academic abilities. Achante is trained in Foundations in Sounds and Barton Reading and Spelling System and is an Institute For Excellence in Writing accredited instructor. When she is not teaching, she is working towards a Bachelors in Social and Behavioral Sciences and assisting in English classes at the college level.
JoAnne Kienle
Teacher (Reading)
JoAnne is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner and pursued Liberal Studies with a minor in Child Psychology at San Diego State University. She also holds a Montessori certification and has extensive teaching experience starting from elementary school in Sacramento to Santa Barbara, San Diego, Monument, Colorado and now back to Sacramento. When her oldest son was diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD and generalized anxiety she soon pursued Wilson training. Her son’s success in reading and comprehension at and above grade level led her passion in helping kids overcome their struggles and motivating them to enjoy reading as well.
Megan Welsh
Teacher (Math/Science/ASL)
Megan joined our team of talented teachers early 2022 as a Math Instructor. Megan creates a fun and supportive learning environment for students while teaching them the fundamentals of Making Math Real to help them overcome their math difficulties. Her desire to connect with students and instill a love of learning makes Megan an asset to Read Academy.
Gretchen Eiferle
Teacher (Reading/Writing/Social Studies)
Gretchen is a lifelong education enthusiast who received her degree from Sacramento State and is now working on her Master of Education. She’s a seasoned teacher who taught third and fourth graders in Sacramento and has worked in Special Education in the Folsom Cordova School District. When she is not busy inspiring young minds, Gretchen can usually be found with her nose in a book or spending time with her loved ones.
LaShauna Grace
Teacher (Reading)
La Shauna joined the READ team in April 2023. She has a Para-Educator certificate and 8+ years of experience leading small reading groups in classrooms. Before READ, she directed an RTI Team that closed reading gaps for primary and middle school students. As a mother with a child who has a learning disability, understanding her child’s learning style was crucial. She eagerly shares her love of reading and knowledge with her students.
Philippe Geoffrion
Teacher (Writing/Social Studies)
Before his time at Read Academy, a random sequence of serendipitous events found Philippe on a spontaneous trip to Paris. This auspicious trip would pave the way for Philippe to pursue a passion in writing while living in “The City of Lights”, where he received a B.A. in Creative Writing from The American University of Paris. It was during the course of his studies overseas that he first became involved in working with children, acting as an English teacher for kids of various ages. This time would prove fruitful in developing a keenness in the field of education. In teaching, he hopes to instill in his students a sense of the joy in the many facets of expression in writing and to encourage its pursuit not only as the means of a useful tool in the working world, but as a rewarding end in itself.
Reiley Russ
Teacher (Physical Education)
Reiley is a dedicated physical education teacher with a passion for fostering an active and healthy lifestyle among students. With a strong background in team sports, Reiley brings expertise on soccer, golf, wrestling, and cross country. His commitment to students’ physical well-being is reflected in their achievements and positive impact on the school community.
Berenice Meija
Teacher (Reading)
Berenice Mejia is a reading instructor who recently joined our team. She holds a BA in Child Development and Adolescents from California State University, Sacramento. She volunteered at Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance in Roseville during her last year before graduating. She was supporting and connecting with families who are battling childhood cancer; still, to this day, she attends Keaton’s events to help out in any way she can. From there, she found her love and passion to teach and support all children in the education setting.
Ava Walter
Teacher (Reading/Writing)
Ava grew up in Eastern Washington, and after a few years living all around the PNW has happily found herself rooted in beautiful Sacramento. Ava has always endeavored to center learning in her life, whether working as a teacher or hosting local trivia nights. Ava graduated with a B.A. in Linguistics from University of Oregon, and recently with an M.A. in Comparative Literature from University of California, Davis. Ava is a passionate educator and strives to instill confidence and curiosity in new readers.
Gladys Lemesurier
Teacher (Writing/Social Studies)
Gladys grew up in Southern California and lived in the PNW for a few years while completing her B.A. in English Literature. She is an avid reader and writer and loves an opportunity to share her love of literature with others, whether that be with other bookworms or with students. Gladys believes that it’s important to never stop learning and hopes to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing sometime in the future. While she’s a new teacher at READ Academy, she’s excited to share with students the joy of writing & literature.
Ava Schaedler
Teacher (Science/Math)
Ava received her BA in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is deeply passionate about civic science education and environmental stewardship. Before joining Read Academy, she taught on Catalina Island, where she specialized in outdoor education with a focus on environmental stewardship and island biogeography. Ava is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, encouraging students to engage with and explore the natural world. When she’s not in the classroom, Ava enjoys immersing herself in the outdoors, finding inspiration and relaxation in nature
Corrine Brown-Ticer
Teacher (Science/Math)
Corinne began her teaching career over a decade ago by leading and developing after-school programs. After receiving her double Bachelors in History and Liberal Arts for school education, she has taught students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other neurodevelopmental hurdles. She has tailored her approach to meet the diverse learning needs of all her students, aiming to help them achieve their desired and full potential. She enjoys learning how to create a self-sufficient lifestyle in her spare time by developing her small farm. She also enjoys creating large-scale machines for scientific exploration and experimentation to blend engineering and fun, bringing innovative ideas to life.
Holly Reynolds
Director of Social Media and Web Development
Holly is the social media and website coordinator for READ Academy. She grew up in southern California and moved for college where she graduated from the University of California, Davis with a bachelors in Psychology and Art. She enjoys employing her artistic side to create content for READ Academy while also managing the READ websites, social medias, and marketing.
Vivian Wilson
Custodian
Vivian is a huge asset to our talented team here at READ. Not only is she our Custodian Extraordinaire, she also keeps our grounds neat and tidy, is exceptional at creating inclusive bulletin board visuals and ensure all our students receive the lunches they have ordered. We would be lost without her!
READ Academy, in utilizing Making Math Real® (MMR®) methods, is in no way affiliated with, a member of, or employed by the Making Math Real Institute (MMRI), and does not represent or reflect MMR® or David Berg in any way whatsoever. Neither the MMRI nor David Berg has trained, certified, licensed, monitored, endorsed, recommended, or sponsored READ Academy. MMR® is a clinical methodology, not a program or a curriculum, and neither the MMRI nor David Berg monitors, endorses, or accounts for the quality of services provided by READ Academy.
