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Rebecca Dornbush
The Literacy Ladder founder/owner
I’m a Florida native, certified teacher, and dedicated dyslexia specialist who has been helping students become confident readers since 2016.
I am a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner, an Advanced Barton Reading and Spelling tutor and a Certified Structured Literacy Interventionist through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction. In both one-on-one and small group sessions, I use research-based, structured literacy methods that are proven to help struggling readers succeed. My goal is to help every student build not just skills, but confidence — and achieve lasting victory in reading.
Meet the Team
Our Literacy Ladder Team is excited to meet you and help your students become strong, victorious readers!
Jessica Carrieri
Jessica is a passionate educator with 14 years of experience helping students grow both academically and personally. She is Wilson-trained and holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in ESOL and Reading. A creative and committed teacher, Jessica tailors her instruction to meet each student’s unique learning style. Beyond the classroom, she brings energy and heart to everything she does — from coaching volleyball to teaching dance. Her love for teaching shines through in every interaction.
Shawna Christenson
Shawna is a veteran teacher who is passionate about helping students. She is Wilson trained and she and her husband have two wonderful daughters. Shawna is excited to partner with you to help your student find success!
Anna Richards
Anna is an experienced teacher, homeschool mom and a Wilson trained educator. She has been working with students of all ages for over a decade and is ready to keep helping students read with confidence!
Jennifer Starr
Jennifer has had a heart for teaching since she was very young, knowing she wanted to be a teacher as early as second grade. She holds a Masters degree in Elementary Education, over 12 years of experience in public and private schools, and now 8 years as a homeschooling mom and Christian ministry leader. She is a Wilson trained tutor and comfortable with all ages. Married and a mom to three unique learners, she has personally experienced the life-changing benefits of this program for her own daughter, and is beyond excited to be able to help students one at a time to have confidence and a love for reading, which is one of Jennifer’s own favorite activities!
Amy Meyer
Amy is a dedicated educator committed to helping every child grow into a confident and capable learner. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern University, with minors in Children’s Ministry and Bible, and is a Florida‑certified K–6 teacher with Reading and ESOL endorsements.
Since beginning her teaching career in 2012, Amy has served in public education as an inclusion teacher. She also spent two years teaching English online to students in China, broadening her experience with diverse learners and strengthening her commitment to literacy instruction.
Beyond the classroom, Amy volunteers with The Repairers of the Breach (TROTB) Global Ministries and Lakeland Women of Faith. Her compassion, expertise, and student‑centered approach reflect her belief that every learner is victorious with the right support and encouragement.
Jessica Kulp
Jessica is a long time teacher and loving mom. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and is ESOL and reading endorsed.
She has taught in classrooms across multiple grade levels and is passionate about help students become better readers and better learners. When she's not teaching, she is spending time with her husband and two children.
Hollie Reed
Hollie Reed is a homeschool mother of three children, who has now graduated two of them! Her first students who struggled with dyslexia were her two daughters. They are now avid readers and writers! Hollie has also been tutoring other homeschooled and public school students in reading, writing, and advanced English Grammar for over fifteen years. Her goal is to help students fall in love with and be empowered with the written word! Hollie is Wilson trained and TEFL certified, so she is able to teach reading to those who have learning disabilities as well as those learning English as a second language.
Her teaching style is fun, flexible, but effective as she gets to know each students’ personal learning needs and goals and customizes each lesson to partner with them to achieve those goals.
Lisa Canfield
Lisa Canfield is a retired public school teacher in literacy education for 37 years. She holds certification as a Wilson Dyslexic Practitioner and as a National Writing Project fellow.
Her vocation and avocation has been teaching children from kindergarten age through college to read, write, speak, and think. Lisa has also worked as a writer, editor, and community volunteer and contends that her students have been her best teachers!
Kelly Wheelock
Kelly Wheelock, CALT, began providing dyslexia therapy via homeschooling her dyslexic children. She has taught all subjects from pre-K to college and enjoys math and language arts. As a person with ADHD & dyslexia, Kelly enjoys seeing the amazing growth students achieve with appropriate instruction. Kelly is pursuing an MA in Teaching with an English Speakers of Other Languages in Huntsville, Alabama.
Denise M-Smith
Denise M-Smith, CALT, has a background in children’s mental health and teaching and has provided dyslexia intervention services since the 1990s. She uses TAKE FLIGHT for dyslexia interventions for middle school students and adults, both online and in person. Her passion is helping students develop their strengths despite innate limitations and educating teachers on how to help.
Annamarie Wyland
Annamarie has been a teacher for over 20 years and a part-time tutor with Hall Pass Learning Solutions since the start of 2020. She works primarily with middle and high school students with PA state certifications in Special Education, Elementary Education, General Math, and Science K-12. Additionally, she has worked in alternative education settings and online schools, and is a certified Executive Functioning coach.
Esther Collins
Esther Collins is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner with additional training in Orton-Gillingham. She is passionate about fostering academic growth, equipping students with the tools needed to unlock their potential in reading, spelling, and comprehension. She specializes in providing tailored, effective interventions for students with reading challenges. She believes in making the process fun while ensuring that each student’s unique learning needs are met.
Abigail Mathis
She is a PA- certified Reading Specialist and Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner dedicated to helping students become confident readers. She provides targeted instruction in reading, spelling, and comprehension, using structured, evidence-based approaches. I am passionate about teaching every student to read and strive to create engaging, supportive learning experiences that build skills and foster a lifelong love of literacy.
James Owk
James has worked in education for the past 16 years, with expertise in ELA, essay writing, college essay writing, and executive functioning skills, and helping students understand their learning profile. He is remarkable at supporting students in learning to rely on their strengths and values the connections he makes with each student he works with.