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.
Danica
I’m a passionate reading intervention teacher with over five years of experience teaching 4th through 6th grade. Before stepping into my current role, I served as a lead instructional assistant, where I had the opportunity to train other IAs in effective reading fluency interventions. During my college years, I worked at an in-home preschool and completed my student teaching in a vibrant kindergarten class that parents lovingly called “kinder-college” because of the high expectations paired with warm-hearted encouragement. For many years, I’ve provided after-school tutoring to K-12 students, helping them build confidence and skills outside of the classroom. I truly believe in making learning fun and engaging—my ultimate goal is to inspire lifelong learners. When I’m not teaching, you can find me soaking up the sun at the beach, capturing moments through portrait photography, or enjoying quality time with family.
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.
Amy
I am an elementary school teacher with over 25 years of experience, passionately dedicated to teaching and supporting young learners, primarily in grades K–3. My love for teaching reading drives my commitment to meet students where they are, forming genuine connections and building on their unique strengths. I strive to help each child grow into a confident and enthusiastic reader.
My goal is to create engaging, supportive, and meaningful learning opportunities that empower every child to succeed. I look forward to working with your child and being an integral part of their reading journey!
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!
Katie
Hello! My name is Katie and I am a homeschooling parent to two daughters, ages 5 and 8, with twelve years teaching experience. Before being a stay-at-home mom and homeschooling, I was a full time teacher in first and fourth grade. I have my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, my Masters of Education, and my Specialist Instruction Credential in reading.
From a young age I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I have always loved working with my students. Having decided to homeschool has helped me to broaden my scope of education and the great variety of resources available to families to support the learning process. I would describe myself as dedicated, warm, and encouraging. My instructional approach is student-centered, and I aim to engage students in their learning in a positive and meaningful way. I believe quality children's literature lays the foundation for learning, and I value the opportunity to help students develop into confident readers who learn to love to read! I look forward to getting to know your child and family.
Tara
I am over-the-moon to join the team at Sprout. I have been an educator since my graduation from University of San Diego in 1995. In that time, I have explored all grade levels pre-k - college. I have worked in public, private and online schools. I have my Multiple Subject, Clad and CLEAR credentials. I also have my master’s in clinical mental health. I love animals and have an Australian Shepherd, an adorable bunny and chickens. I love to do Pilates and spend time with my two children who now attend college locally. I am excited to work together with our families to ensure excellence in our individual program. I understand education from the foundation and will incorporate my 30 year career in education into your child’s curriculum. My mantra is “A love of learning lasts a lifetime!” Let us get started and explore loving learning together.
Kim
Hello! My name is Kim, and I am a dedicated, enthusiastic Kindergarten teacher with over 20 years of experience working with children of all ages. I have been happily married to Randy for 20 years and together we have a blended family of 5 children and 3 grandchildren. I hold a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential as well as a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction and have completed specialized training in the science of reading. I believe that reading is the foundation of all learning, and I am especially passionate about helping students build strong foundational literacy skills while discovering the joy of reading! I strive to meet the unique needs of each learner by building positive, trusting relationships and creating a personalized, engaging, and fun learning environment where each child can thrive. Watching children grow, develop confidence, and reach their fullest potential as learners is incredibly rewarding to me! When I am not teaching, I love doing yoga, reading, traveling and spending quality time with my family. I'm excited about the opportunity to work with your family and to support your child on their literacy journey!
Marlena
As a dedicated Special Education Teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, I am passionate about helping students reach their full potential. I hold both a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an Education Specialist Instruction Credential, equipping me to support a wide range of learning needs. I believe that building confidence is just as important as building academic skills, and I find great joy in creating a supportive, engaging environment where students feel empowered to grow. I am especially committed to making reading a positive and enjoyable experience, helping each child develop a lifelong love of learning. I believe every student learns differently, and I love taking the time to understand how each child’s mind works in order to help them thrive.
Tiffany
Hi! I am Tiffany, an elementary educator with almost 30 years of experience in kindergarten through grade 3. I currently specialize in reading intervention with a focus on phonics-based instruction. I received my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from UNLV and my Master's in Technology in Education from Lesley University. I spent the first half of my teaching career in Clark County, Las Vegas, Nevada, and then moved to Douglas County in Colorado. I later relocated to Orange County to be closer to family and to enjoy the many wonderful Southern California perks! I love teaching reading and cannot wait to work with your student to cultivate their blossoming reading skills!
Donna
I'm Donna—a credentialed teacher and reading interventionist passionate about guiding students of all ages into becoming confident readers, writers, and communicators. My experience spans high school English instruction, K-5 reading intervention, and comprehensive K-12 literacy tutoring. Whether guiding early readers through their first books, helping high schoolers craft compelling essays, or supporting adult learners with clear expression, I meet each student exactly where they are.
My approach is personalized and strengths-based: I design lessons around each student’s unique needs and interests, creating a foundation for meaningful growth. By building both skills and confidence, I help learners overcome challenges and advance to the next level in their literacy journey. I believe that with the right support, every student can become a confident reader, writer, and communicator.
Hannah
Hi! My name is Hannah, and I’m so excited to support your child on their reading journey! With years of experience as both an elementary and middle school teacher, and now as a college English professor, I specialize in helping students develop confidence and skills in reading and writing, from the basics to advanced comprehension and analysis. I’ve worked with young learners across all subjects through sixth grade, and I’m especially passionate about helping students who need extra support in reading. Whether your child is working on phonics, fluency, comprehension, or writing, I bring a patient, personalized approach to every session. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in English from UC Irvine and a Master’s Degree in English with a focus on Writing and Rhetoric from Boise State University. I’m also trained in the International Baccalaureate program and certified as a Master Level Tutor through the College Reading and Learning Association. Outside of teaching, I love relaxing at the beach, playing pickleball, staying active outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. I believe every child can thrive with the right guidance and encouragement. I can’t wait to get to know your child and help them unlock their full potential as a reader and writer!