What Makes Us Unique?

Dr. Leah Skinner, Ed.D.

Dr. Leah Skinner is a Certified Dyslexia Therapist with a Doctor of Education in Reading, Literacy, and Assessment, a Master of Education in Dyslexia Specialization, and is trained in numerous Structured Literacy Programs (Orton-Gillingham). As a Certified Special Education Advocate, she helps parents navigate dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and ADHD within the education system. After five rewarding years at a school for dyslexic students, Leah brought her passion and knowledge to a larger community in 2020, opening READ Academy of Sacramento/READ Learning Center with a team of talented and experienced teachers. She is supported by her husband of 32 years and her five sons (4 of whom are dyslexic).

Julie Starbird

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 certified in the Barton Reading and Spelling System. Additionally, Julie is responsible for providing day-to-day support to staff and students as needed. She is happy to be part of the team at Read Academy.

LaShauna Grace

La Shauna joined the READ team in April 2023, bringing with her over eight years of experience leading small reading groups in classrooms. Prior to joining READ, she directed a Response to Intervention (RTI) team that successfully closed reading gaps for primary and middle school students. La Shauna is a certified Para-Educator and a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. Her passion for reading is personal; as a mother of a child with dyslexia, La Shauna understands firsthand the journey your child is on, and she is dedicated to sharing her love of reading and helping every student succeed.

Gretchen Eiferle

Gretchen is a lifelong education enthusiast who received her degree from Sacramento State and is now completing her Master of Education. She is a seasoned teacher who taught third and fourth graders in Sacramento and has worked in Special Education in the Folsom Cordova School District. Gretchen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her reading and writing classes. 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.

Megan Welsh

Megan joined our team in early 2022 as a Math Instructor. She creates a fun, engaging, and supportive environment while teaching students the fundamentals of Making Math Real. As a dedicated MMR instructor, she implements structured, multisensory, and incremental strategies that help students build confidence and overcome math challenges. Megan ensures every student feels capable and encouraged. Her dedication to growth is evident each day.

Alyssa Skinner

Alyssa grew up in Truckee, California, where her passion for teaching began creating online videos on speech and writing for a private school. She later taught as a children’s snowboard and ski instructor. She earned her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from California State University, Monterey Bay. She serves as Director of Community Relations and Special Projects, managing community partnerships and coordinating projects.

Milan Djurasovic

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!

Corrinne Brown-Ticer

Corinne began her teaching career over a decade ago, leading and developing after-school programs. With a double Bachelor’s in History and Liberal Arts, she has taught students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other neurodevelopmental hurdles. As Director of Science, she manages curriculum and supports science teachers. She tailors her approach to meet diverse learning needs, helping students achieve their full potential. In her spare time, she develops her small farm and builds large-scale machines for scientific exploration, blending engineering and fun.

Berenice Mejia

Berenice Mejia is a dedicated reading instructor with a BA in Child and Adolescent Development from CSU, Sacramento. She volunteers with Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance, offering support to families during community events and outreach activities. Her passion for education grew from this work and inspired her commitment to structured literacy. Berenice has now completed her Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner certification, further strengthening her ability to deliver systematic, research-based reading instruction.

Ava Walter

Ava grew up in Eastern Washington and, after living throughout the Pacific Northwest, has happily made Sacramento her home. She has always centered learning in her life, whether teaching or hosting local trivia nights. Ava holds a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Oregon and an M.A. in Comparative Literature from UC Davis. She has now completed her Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner certification and strives to instill confidence and curiosity in new readers.

Brianna Gonzalez

Brianna Gonzalez is a reading instructor new to READ Academy. She earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Sacramento State and later pursued her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and M.A. in Education from Concordia University Irvine. Inspired by her own bilingual background in Spanish and English, she is passionate about supporting underserved and ESL students. Brianna taught fourth grade in Los Angeles for two years before returning to Sacramento to teach fourth and fifth grade at a charter school in Rosemont. After welcoming her first child, she chose a new path and found her way to READ Academy, where she looks forward to meeting your children’s needs.

JoAnne Kienle

JoAnne is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner who pursued Liberal Studies with a minor in Child Psychology at San Diego State University. She holds a Montessori certification and has extensive teaching experience in elementary schools across Sacramento, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Colorado. When her oldest son was diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and generalized anxiety, she pursued Wilson training. His success in reading at and above grade level fueled her passion for helping kids overcome their struggles and enjoy reading.

Tania Sand

Tania is passionate about helping children become confident, successful readers. She believes every student learns differently and creates a supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and celebrating progress. With years of classroom experience, she brings a patient, encouraging, student-centered approach. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies from CSU Sacramento and was honored as Breen Elementary’s Site Employee of the Year. Outside work, she enjoys time at the lake with a good book alongside her family and dachshund, Beau.

Serkalem Carper

Serkalem earned her Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies with a minor in Sociology from Principia College. Born in Ethiopia and raised in St. Louis, she spent the last six years working as an Independent Facilitator specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), implementing structured, individualized strategies for children and adults in both one-on-one and small group settings. Serkalem focuses on building student confidence and fostering independence through a patient, grounded approach. Outside of the classroom, she is an avid world traveler who stays deeply connected to her community.

Achante Broadnax

Achante began her work in education in high school, tutoring students in English writing classes and discovering a deep passion for teaching. She an accredited Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) instructor and is trained in Foundations in Sounds and the Barton Reading and Spelling System. Achante a gifted instructor who brings a structured, explicit approach to writing that empowers students to organize their ideas, build strong sentences, and communicate with clarity.

Philippe Geoffrion

Before joining Read Academy, a chance trip to Paris sparked Philippe’s passion for writing. While living in “The City of Lights,” he earned a B.A. in Creative Writing from The American University of Paris. During his studies, he began teaching English to children of various ages, discovering a love for education. Today, he hopes to instill in his students both the joy of written expression and an appreciation for writing as a useful skill and a rewarding pursuit in itself.

Milo Gray

Milo first joined READ in 2021 as the PE teacher and Aftercare Director. After briefly stepping away to pursue his goal of serving as a summer camp director, he is excited to return to READ Academy as a Social Studies and Writing teacher. He brings more than fifteen years of experience working with students from diverse communities. Milo earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach, where he further developed his passion for helping students build confidence through communication. In his free time, he enjoys camping with his husband and dog.

Sam Bloom

Sam is a passionate and dedicated social studies and writing teacher at READ Academy. He earned his B.A. in History with a minor in Sustainable Forestry at the University of British Columbia. He received his M.A. in the Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. He has worked for the public school system and education non-profits for the last 3 years. When he is not in the classroom, you can find him yelling at a Sacramento Kings game or hiking with a book in the mountains.

Noah Prill

Noah joined READ Academy in 2026 as a Writing and Social Studies teacher. He is passionate about fostering a love of learning that carries through his students’ educational careers and beyond. He strives to create a supportive, engaging environment where students communicate with clarity and purpose while exploring their interests and curiosity. He has been teaching for nine years, working in Special Education and providing early intervention dyslexia tutoring in reading and writing. In his free time, Noah enjoys reading about history, writing stories, spending time with his cats and dog, and playing music around the Sacramento area.

Noel Gray

Noel brings over 20 years of experience in education and holds degrees in Education and Psychology. She teaches Math and Science and enjoys using hands-on learning and real-world connections to build students’ confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills.

She strives to create a positive, supportive classroom where students feel encouraged to learn and grow. Outside of school, Noel enjoys cooking, crafting, gaming, nature walks, and spending time with her two children.

Brianna Gonzalez

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.

Chloe Hersek

Chloe graduated with high honors from Natomas Charter: Early College Academy in 2023. She continued her education at Sacramento City College, earning a double Associate of Arts degree in English and Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities in 2025. Chloe is an accomplished artist, actor, and published poet, having received multiple awards and recognitions for her poetry. Her passion for working with children began at an early age through Community Theatre and Academic Leadership Programs. She is committed to helping students find their voice while fostering a safe, supportive, and creative learning environment.

Reiley Russ

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.

Lori Bassham

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 has been happy to work as part of the administrative team and as a mentor.

Shelley Russ

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 secretary 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

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.

Vivian Wilson

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 ensures all our students receive the lunches they have ordered. We would be lost without her!

Sean James

With over 20 years of experience as a digital marketer, Sean has worked with companies from bootstrapped startups to Fortune 500s. He’s learned that the best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing, it moves people because it’s real. He combines cutting-edge strategies with authentic storytelling to create meaningful change and measurable growth. As Chief Marketing Officer at READ, Sean is excited to bring his expertise to amplify our mission and establish us as the recognized leader in education and advocacy for students with learning differences.