Meet the Team
Taylor
My approach extends beyond academic growth— I am dedicated to the holistic development of each student. Having worked with a diverse range of abilities, witnessing a student’s confidence grows alongside their reading skills brings me immense joy. I believe in making learning an enjoyable experience for every child. This is especially crucial for those who have faced challenges with a particular skill or subject. Through engaging activities and a supportive learning environment, I strive to instill a love for reading in every child I work with.
Daniella
I’m a passionate educator who truly loves helping children learn, grow, and discover what they’re capable of. I especially enjoy helping students build their literacy skills and seeing their confidence grow as reading starts to click. I’ve had the opportunity to teach students across a variety of ages and learning environments, with much of my experience focused on the elementary years, particularly kindergarten and first grade.
Getting to know each student and figuring out what helps them learn best is one of my favorite parts of teaching. I strive to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks, celebrating their progress, and developing confidence in their abilities. I love seeing that moment when something begins to click for a student and watching their confidence grow along with their skills.
I hold a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Master’s degree in Education. I’m excited to work one-on-one with students and support them as they grow into confident, capable readers and lifelong learners.
Outside of teaching, I love spending time at the beach with my husband and our two dogs, and I’m happiest when I’m in or near the ocean. I enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, and tide pooling. I’ve lived in a few different places, but one of the reasons California feels like home is that I can always hop in the ocean!
LeeAnn
I’m a passionate educator with a love for teaching students of all ages. My journey in education began as an elementary school classroom teacher, and along the way, I earned a Master’s degree in Education Administration. While I explored different aspects of education, I quickly discovered that teaching is my superpower.
As a trained Reading Specialist, I worked one-on-one with students in an intensive strategic program called Reading Recovery, helping them unlock the magic of reading. After taking time off to raise my children, I returned to the classroom to teach ESL for adults, where I’ve found immense joy in guiding learners to achieve their goals.
Today, I’m thrilled to have found Sprout Reading Intervention—it feels like I’ve found my people! This incredible community shares my passion for helping students discover their own superpowers. Together, we’re working to ensure that every child can read, write, and share their stories with confidence.
I look forward to helping students thrive and watching them grow into lifelong learners.
Christina
Hi everyone! My name is Christina, and I’m an elementary educator with 10 years of experience teaching in the primary grades. Literacy has always been one of my favorite parts of teaching, and I love helping students build strong reading foundations while developing confidence in themselves as learners. I especially value building meaningful relationships with students and creating a warm, encouraging environment where they feel supported, celebrated, and excited to learn.
I believe in meeting students where they are and using evidence-based instruction to help them build the skills they need to become successful readers. I am extensively trained in the Science of Reading and have experience using assessment data to understand each student’s needs and provide targeted, explicit instruction. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Pepperdine University and a Master’s degree in Trauma and Resiliency in the Classroom.
I’m excited to be part of the Sprout team and to continue doing what I love - helping students grow as readers.
Outside of teaching, I love traveling, backpacking, adventuring, and pretty much anything that gets me outside.
Jessica
Hi! My name is Jessica, and I’m a passionate Special Education teacher with a Master’s degree in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. I’ve been teaching since 2018, I’ve worked with K–4th grade students in small group settings to build strong foundational reading skills. Helping young learners discover the joy of reading is truly my favorite part of teaching, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a student’s face light up when they realize they can read! With my special education background, I personalize each lesson to meet the individual needs of my students, using a supportive “I do, we do, you do” instructional approach. Outside the classroom, I love spending time with dogs and believe the way to my heart is through food, especially a good hamburger. I’m excited to support your child’s growth and help them gain confidence as lifelong learners!
Natalie
Hi everyone! My name is Natalie, and I am so excited to be a part of the Sprout Reading Intervention Team. I have a passion for helping students who may struggle with reading, phonics, spelling, and writing. I love helping students recognize their true potential and talent - I believe they just need the tricks and tools to get there! I have my Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California, and my Bachelor's of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Elementary Education from San Diego State University. I have 4+ years of private teaching and tutoring experience with students of all grades K-12. With strong previous experience as an in-person and virtual reading specialist in the San Diego area, I am so excited to continue to explore this specialty. I also have experience working with children with special needs and learning disabilities. For fun, I love interior design, cuddling with a cat, working out, and cooking for others!
Angela
Hello! I taught high school special education for 8 years. I have my bachelor’s degree in Child & Adolescent Development. I earned my Education Specialist Teaching Credential and master’s degree in Special Education from Chapman University. I have worked with students with a wide range of levels and abilities, including many students who are at elementary level in reading and writing. I love teaching and witnessing students progress on their learning journey. I tailor my lessons to meet the needs of my students and use a guided instructional approach. I am passionate about making learning fun through engaging activities. I look forward to working with your child and building his/ her confidence in reading skills.
Brooke
Hello! My name is Brooke and I am a dedicated elementary school teacher with a specialized passion for literacy and language development! I received my Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies with an Emphasis in Elementary Education as well as multiple subject teaching credentials from Point Loma Nazarene University.
I began my career teaching 1st grade, where I found my passion for teaching the foundations of reading. Along the way, I’ve taught in varying TK-8 roles, including public school, private school, early intervention in clinical settings and 1 on 1 tutoring. I’ve served as a 1 on 1 ABA therapist for individuals on the spectrum and hold a deep understanding for the importance of individualizing and differentiating instruction to suit the diverse learning needs of students.
What fuels me is watching confidence grow in the eyes of the child. Every step of the way is a huge feat in the unfolding of the journey!
When not teaching, I love the beach, traveling, reading, surfing, pilates, cooking, and being outside!
Kristy
Helping students become confident, capable readers has been the focus of my work for over 27 years as both a classroom teacher and reading specialist/coach. I have had the privilege of working closely with students in one-on-one and small group settings, providing targeted support to help them grow as readers.
I believe every child can thrive with the right support in a positive, encouraging environment where they feel safe to take risks. I focus on building strong relationships and meeting students where they are, helping them develop foundational skills, confidence, and a love of reading.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. I currently serve as an English Language Arts
Coach.
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is witnessing the moment everything clicks, when a child looks up and says, “I can read!” That sense of pride and excitement continues to inspire
me every day.
Ashlee
With over 18 years of dedicated teaching experience, Ashlee brings a wealth of knowledge in reading intervention across both primary and upper grade levels. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, equipping her with the expertise to foster a love for reading among her students.
Currently teaching 5th grade in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Ashlee understands the challenges that struggling readers face, having experienced them firsthand in her own journey. Her passion for reading not only fuels her teaching but also serves as a testament to the success that can be achieved through perseverance. Ashlee's goal is to inspire her students to discover the joy and adventure that reading can offer.
Outside of the classroom, Ashlee enjoys spending quality time with her two boys, walking her dogs, and indulging in her favorite pastime—reading a good book. Her commitment to nurturing young readers goes beyond academics, as she strives to ignite a lifelong passion for literacy in every child she encounters at Sprout Reading.
Arika
With 24 years of experience in education, I’ve learned that meaningful relationships are at the heart of teaching and learning. Building connections with students, parents, and fellow educators has shaped both my teaching style and leadership approach. I strive to make learning interactive, engaging, and enjoyable by offering focused attention and plenty of positive encouragement.
After earning my teaching credential from Cal State Fullerton, I began my career as a Kindergarten teacher. Since then, I’ve taught and served in various roles across grades K–9 in public, private, and homeschool settings. For the past 15 years, I’ve dedicated myself to homeschooling my two daughters while also supporting other families as they navigate their own homeschool journeys.
When I’m not teaching or mentoring, you’ll often find me with a cup of tea in hand, curled up with a good book, or enjoying a nap.
Marsha
Ever since Marsha was little, her nose was in a book! With her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English from UCLA, she quenched her love of reading a bit, and as an elementary school teacher for 30 years (and a site literacy leader for the past two), she has enjoyed imparting that love of reading to her students! Marsha believes in giving children the strategies they need to become strong readers, and the knowledge about different text genres to develop a love for the written word. As a tutor for over 25 years, she has enjoyed the relationship she has fostered with her many tutoring clients, ranging in age from 5 to college age! She believes in addressing the needs of the whole child, and understands that teaching often stretches beyond academics, to improving social skills and executive functioning. Whatever students may need, Marsha is committed to finding their areas of struggle, working to increasing achievement in whatever those areas may be, all with a heart for care, a commitment to excellence, and a willingness to help students achieve their academic goals!
Erika
My name is Erika! I am a proud educator with 11 years of credentialed teaching experience in the K-12 setting, and several years prior in the early education setting. I have a Master of Science in Specialized Education and teach Language Arts and Reading during the traditional school year. I cater lessons to the needs of each child, meeting them where they’re at while also challenging them to hit that next milestone. My philosophy is that no two learners are the same, and that children learn best when offered multiple modalities - moving, creating, and exploring the senses. Reading and writing are such important fundamental skills, especially within our current technological climate. I really enjoy working one-on-one with students and seeing them excel in something that seemed otherwise impossible. In my free time, I enjoy going to concerts, traveling, and attending Pilates classes. You can often find me exploring local coffee and tea shops with my family. Excited to work with your learners!
Heidi
My journey in Education began over 23 years ago when I started teaching 6th grade English, Art and History at a magnet school in Rancho Palos Verdes. After a few years, I decided to strengthen and focus my pedagogy on reading comprehension and the recursive process of writing; I earned my single subject teaching credential in English and began teaching 8th grade English at the same school. After my youngest child was born, I shifted away from teaching in a traditional classroom and worked as a reading intervention specialist at Weaver Elementary in Los Alamitos, where my youngest two were attending. The gifts of literacy development go far beyond the lifelong dividends provided to both teacher and student; this position uncovered and ignited my passion for literacy and strength in growing a student from a vulnerable reader to a fluent reader. When my daughters transitioned to middle school, I also went back to school, and received my Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Literacy & Reading. While finishing my thesis, I began working at UC Irvine as a program coordinator for a grant that provides higher education access to underserved students. My middle daughter will be starting classes at UC Berkeley next week and my youngest daughter will be a senior in high school this year. I am using the deep shifts these life changes are providing as opportunities to return to what I love: teaching students to become fluent readers. When I’m not working with students you will find me hiking, walking my dogs, at pilates, cooking, reading and traveling as much as our busy schedule allows. I am honored to be part of the sprout team as I entire the next chapter of my life.
Renee
Hello, my name is Renee, and I’m excited to support your child’s growth in reading and literacy. I hold a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and have completed 36 units toward a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Reading.
With over 10 years of experience in the field of education, including 7 years as an elementary school teacher, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. In addition to classroom teaching, I’ve also worked in a school library, which has deepened my understanding of literacy and helped me better meet the diverse reading needs of students.
Currently, I provide reading intervention support for students in kindergarten through 5th grade. I’m passionate about helping children achieve their reading and writing goals and take great joy in witnessing their growth and progress. I strive to create a positive, encouraging environment where students feel safe, confident, and empowered in their learning journey.
I look forward to partnering with you and your child to foster a love of reading.
Lauren
Hi! My name is Lauren, and I’m a passionate elementary educator who loves helping students grow in both their skills and their confidence. I hold a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on Elementary Education.
My experience includes classroom teaching, private tutoring, homeschool instruction, and working one-on-one with students across grades K–8. I especially enjoy supporting students in reading and literacy by meeting them where they are, identifying their individual strengths and needs, and making learning feel approachable and encouraging.
I believe some of the most meaningful learning happens when students feel safe to make mistakes, ask questions, and celebrate their progress along the way. My goal is to create a positive and engaging environment where every child feels capable, supported, and proud of how much they are growing.
Outside of teaching, I love spending time with my family, being near the beach, and finding new ways to make learning fun and meaningful. I’m so excited to be part of the Sprout Reading Intervention team and to help students become confident, successful readers!