Lisa M.
Lisa Marriott is a Reading Specialist, Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), and a Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist. She has more than 20 years of experience helping students become confident, successful readers. She has a Masters of Education in Reading Education and currently teaches fourth grade in Kansas while also serving as a Research Assistant and Evaluator at the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Reading, Language & Learning Lab.
Lisa specializes in evidence-based reading instruction grounded in the science of reading and has extensive experience supporting students with dyslexia and other reading challenges. As the mother of two children with dyslexia, she brings not only professional expertise but also a personal understanding of the journey many families face. She is passionate about partnering with parents to help every child develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
When she’s not teaching or tutoring, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and adult children, running long distances with her dog, getting lost in a good book, and watching movies from every genre—from classic comedies to edge-of-your-seat thrillers.
William M.
The first time I realized teaching was my destiny was when I was a junior at Billings Senior High School in Billings, Montana, and I was given the opportunity to direct a Saturday Night Live format talent show. I’ve been hooked ever since.
I have four higher education degrees: a Bachelor of Education from the University of Wyoming, a Master of Music (with distinction) from the New England Conservatory of Music, a second Master of Music (opera production) from the University of Washington, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Washington.
I am a big fan of teaching through open-ended questions (the Socratic Method) because it transforms learning from a one-way dissemination of information into an engaging series of questions that students use to discover the answers for themselves — which promotes the acquisition of knowledge.
When I am not teaching or tutoring, I enjoy the Colorado backcountry, especially stargazing and hiking. I also love getting lost in researching such diverse topics as marine biology, paleontology, organometallic chemistry, and science fiction.
Isabel V.
Isabel Villano is a certified educator with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. She is passionate about accessible education and became a teacher so she could support diverse learners in a meaningful, hands-on way.
She has experience working across a range of educational settings, including classroom instruction and specialized intervention. She currently works as a Learning Specialist supporting elementary students with a focus on literacy and math intervention.
Isabel discovered her passion for special education early in her career while working closely with students who needed individualized support. She was drawn to the growth that comes from patience, relationship-building, and finding the right approach for each learner.
Her favorite part of teaching is getting to know each student and helping them build confidence as concepts begin to click. She especially enjoys working with elementary aged students because of their curiosity, honesty, and the excitement they bring to learning when they feel successful.
Isabel brings warmth, creativity, and a calm, encouraging presence to every session, with the goal of helping students feel capable and supported.
Outside of teaching and tutoring, Isabel enjoys reading, baking, and crafting. She also loves spending time at home with her family.
Brenna S.
Brenna S. decided to become a teacher in high school. During this time, she tutored friends who were at-risk of dropping out.
Armed with this powerful experience, Brenna began college at the University of Montana – Western, where she started writing curriculums that combined collaboration and communication techniques with project-based learning to help students better understand the content.
Benna continued her education at the University of Montana, where she became the campus coordinator for America Reads – America Counts, which included tutoring K-12 students every week.
Brenna completed a Bachelors of Mathematics Education at the University of Montana, with a minor in Theatre. During her time in Missoula, she worked for a summer school program, as a substitute teacher in a private school that focused on hands-on learning, and occasionally taught at one of the local public high schools.
Brenna loves guiding students in mathematics and language arts and focuses on how the concepts covered in each are relevant to daily life. She believes any student can achieve academic success, and that practice and perseverance are crucial to success in the classroom and beyond.
When she’s not teaching or tutoring, Brenna enjoys writing. She is currently completing a high-school Geometry curriculum guide and a novella. In addition to writing, Brenna also enjoys biking, hiking, swimming, and kayaking.
Shannon B.
As a Certified Bilingual Orton Gillingham Tutor, Shannon is an expert at designing personalized multi-sensory lessons for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Shannon holds a Master of Arts in Bilingual Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish.
One of Shannon’s many strengths is in helping neurodivergent readers solidify decoding skills in their dominant language first, and then helping these students translate their new decoding skills into English.
As a late bloomer who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Shannon teaches with the empathy of someone who understands cognitive overload firsthand. This lived experience has helped her become a more compassionate educator who knows first-hand that learning should be clear, enjoyable, and not overwhelming.
In her spare time, Shannon enjoys playing pickleball, gardening, and crafting with her two daughters.