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.

Teachers also continue their education in trauma-informed teaching, executive function development, and effective classroom management strategies.

Leah Skinner, M.Ed

Administrator

Leah Skinner, M.Ed

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 completing a Doctor of Education in Reading and Literacy. As a Certified Special Education Advocate, she helps parents navigate education and dyslexia. 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 31 years and her five sons (4 of whom are dyslexic).

Julie Starbird

Director of Staff & Student Affairs / Co-Director of Language Arts

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 reading team at READ Academy.

LaShauna Grace

Co-Director of Language Arts

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

Director of Writing

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.

Brianna Gonzalez

Co-Director of Math (Interim)

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.

Megan Welsh

Co-Director of Math (Interim)

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

Director of Science / Director of Community Relations and Special Projects

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. As Director of Science, she manages curriculum and supports science teachers. She also serves as Director of Community Relations and Special Projects, managing community partnerships and coordinating projects.

Milan Djurasovic

Director of Social Studies

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!

Berenice Mejia

Teacher (Reading)

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 is now completing her Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner designation, strengthening her ability to deliver systematic, research-based reading instruction.

Ava Walter

Teacher (Reading)

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 is a passionate educator pursuing her Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner designation and strives to instill confidence and curiosity in new readers.

Kassie Hughey

Teacher (Reading/Creative Writing)

Kassie Hughey

Kassie began her work with struggling readers as a volunteer with the Placer County Reading Council. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Sacramento State University and has extensive experience supporting students with dyslexia through Foundations in Sounds, Barton, and the Wilson Reading System. A Master Level Certified Barton Instructor and trained Wilson Reading Instructor, Kassie brings deep expertise to her instructional practice. She helps students reach their full potential through compassion, empathy, and a highly responsive teaching style tailored to each learner’s needs.

Nyah Sadler

Teacher (Reading)

Nyah Sadler

Nyah Sadler is dedicated to supporting underrepresented youth through nonprofit work that blends creative arts, social justice, and mental health advocacy. With a B.A. in English Literature from CSU Sacramento, she brings a passion for poetry, visual media, and community empowerment to her work. Nyah is now pursuing structured literacy teaching and joins READ Academy as a Reading Instructor committed to fostering confidence, curiosity, and a love of reading in her students.

Brianna Gonzalez

Teacher (Reading)

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

Substitute Teacher (Reading)

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.

Achante Broadnax

Teacher (Writing/Social Studies)

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

Teacher (Writing/Social Studies)

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.

Gladys Lemesurier

Teacher (Writing/Social Studies)

Gladys Lemesurier

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. She’s excited to share with students the joy of writing & literature.

Corrine Brown-Ticer

Teacher (Math/Science)

Corrine 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. 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.

Ava Schaedler

Teacher (Math/Science)

Ava Schaedler

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.

Lori Bassham

Administration: Student Assessments

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

Administrative Secretary

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

Administrative Assistant

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

Custodian

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

Chief Marketing Officer

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.

Holly Reynolds

Director of Social Media and Web Development

Holly Reynolds

Holly grew up in Southern California and moved to Norcal for college where she graduated from the University of California, Davis with a bachelor’s in Psychology and Art Studio. Previously a READ tutor, she now enjoys employing her artistic side to create content for READ Academy while also managing the READ websites, social media, and marketing. However, she hasn’t left teaching behind; Holly teaches art on weekends and is earning a Master’s in Art Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy.

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.