Our Team
Rachel Moore MD
In her work as a tutor for struggling readers, Rachel blends her strong scientific background from her time as a family physician with her decades of experience working creatively with children of all ages as an artist musician and teacher. She is well known amongst her students and peers as a highly creative and innovative instructor who seeks out unique solutions. In addition to her broad range of professional experiences, she is privileged to live with and advocate for a daughter and husband with dyslexia. She is a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner (Children’s Dyslexia Centers/IMSLEC).
Lauren Maffett M.Ed
Lauren knows dyslexia from the inside - she herself struggled with reading and spelling throughout her school years. This makes her an ideal guide for her students. Lauren has dedicated her entire career to education. She is a Pennsylvania certified public school teacher with a master’s degree as a Reading Specialist. Additionally, she is currently employed as a preschool director, giving her an inside view to the importance of early learning and early remediation for readers who learn differently. Lauren loves two amazing kids with amazing dyslexic brains! She is a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner (Children’s Dyslexia Centers/IMSLEC).
Jay Barnica, M.A.
Jay is an adjunct professor of English at Millersville University and an experienced tutor working with struggling students at H.A.C.C., Central Penn College and Millersville University. Jay is also a published poet and a kind, approachable person. In addition to his work as a tutor, Jay has taught our Elementary Poetry class and Middle School Learning Enrichment Across Disciplines (LEAD) class at the microSchool to the delight of little kids and teens alike. He is expert in assisting students with executive functioning skills and is additionally trained and very competent in our LRS Orton-Gillingham/Structured Word Inquiry approach to dyslexic learners.
Johanna Grossman, MOT
Johanna brings her 15 years of professional experience in the world of occupational therapy along with her experience assisting struggling first-grade learners at Sacred Heart School to her work with us at LRS. She is one of our busiest and most sought-after tutors because she has a real knack for working with kids. Johanna’s first rate academic background and dedication to young learners makes her a wonderful guide for our students.
Tara Orzech, M.A.
Tara is our “go to” tutor for all things math, especially our upper level students. She is a PA certified (grades 7 to 12) math teacher with a Masters degree in special education, so she is really adept at helping kids who struggle or who just need a different approach. Additionally, Tara is an experienced Learning Support teacher who knows how to help students organize their work across many different subject areas - English, science, history, humanities classes and so on. She knows how to help kids find their path as they grow. Tara is additionally cross trained in our OG-based, SWI reading curriculum which just expands her wide array of tools to help students of any age. She is a patient and positive tutor.
Sarah Bobal, M.Ed
Sarah is a Wilson Certified Reading Specialist as well as being cross-trained in the traditional Orton Gillingham method at the advanced level. She is a very experienced PA certified teacher, having taught kids from kindergarten through middle school, including at AIM Academy - one of the East Coast’s premier schools for children with language-based learning differences. She has had additional training in LETRS and RAVE-O. Her depth of knowledge and experience and personal kindness make her a wonderful match for our students.
Peggy Caputo, M.S.
Peggy Caputo wanted to become a teacher ever since she was in the first grade. Her dedication and devotion to children has led her to develop into a successful educator. She comes to us with 33 years of teaching experience from preschool to sixth grade. Peggy is a dual certified teacher in general and special education with a masters degree in special education. She is also a certified dyslexia practitioner and has tutored all subjects in person and remotely. After living and teaching in New York and New Jersey she now enjoys living in Pennsylvania and appreciates the sense of community she has found here. When not working with children she enjoys hiking, cooking, baking, reading, completing puzzles and spending time with her husband and children. She loves reading mysteries and enjoys meeting up with her book club monthly. She is part of the microSchool community as well.
Nanci Cullinane, M.S.
Nanci is an experienced elementary classroom teacher (grades 1, 2, 3 and 5), certified in PA, who most recently taught for seven years in the Lebanon School District. Her Masters degree is in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum. She holds additional certification in ESL, grades K-12. She only just retired in June 2022 and, happily for us, wants to keep on teaching! We are so pleased to have a teacher of her stature and experience working with our students. In addition to tutoring, Nanci also spent a year teaching reading and math in our microSchool program in Lancaster. Despite all her experience, Nanci told us that her favorite thing is to “keep learning something new” which is such a refreshing approach and a great example for the kids.
Kristin Dzurik, M.A.
Kristin is a trained educator with a Master’s degree in Teaching who has experienced the educational system from many different perspectives - teaching high school chemistry and general science, instructing students at H.A.C.C., assisting elementary learners at Veritas Academy and homeschooling her own children. This wide variety of experiences means Kristin has a lot of tricks up her sleeve to help students. She is an inventive and dedicated tutor, always looking for new ways to capture her students’ attention and to make learning more interesting!
Kim Eisman, BSE
Kim is a PA Certified Teacher with a specialty area in English and additional training towards becoming a Reading Specialist. Having been employed in Hempfield, CV and Exeter School Districts, she has worked with kids of all different ages including giving support to kids who struggle with learning to read. Kim designed the curriculum for our Middle School Language Arts program at the LRS microSchool. She is very capable and has prior experience as a tutor, so she not only delivers our curriculum with fidelity, but can add a few tricks of her own to help the kids learn. She is also just an incredibly kind person and her students love her.
Theresa Gottshall, M.Ed
Theresa is a skilled educator with more than 25 years experience. For the majority of that time, she has worked as a reading specialist. Theresa told us: “I am a reader! Being a person who loves books, before I became a reading specialist, I couldn't fathom how it was that kids didn't like to read. It was completely foreign to me. I came to realize that my students didn't hate books or reading, even though they said they did. Instead, kids hate failure, they hate feeling stupid, and they hate not having the skills to succeed. With the right skills, strategies and encouragement, any child can be taught to read and ultimately love to read and love books!!! I have had countless students tell me, brimming with pride that they now love reading! Hearing this never gets old!” Theresa is a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner (Children’s Dyslexia Centers/IMSLEC).
Judy McCormick, M.Ed
Judy is tutor supervisor and trainer at the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Lancaster as well as being a master tutor herself. She also comes to us with deep experience and understanding of children who learn differently, having spent three decades as a special education teacher in the School District of Lancaster. Judy’s heart for children and her knowledge about what it takes to get the job done are unparalleled. Judy is a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner (Children’s Dyslexia Centers/IMSLEC).
Kelly Jo Shelly, B.S.Ed
Kelly is a PA certified K-6 educator with a focus on science. Her experience as a Program Specialist in teaching English as a second language gives her valuable insight into the world of kids who learn language differently and she is trained and experienced in our LRS Orton Gillingham/Structured Word Inquiry approach to dyslexic learners. As a bonus, she also brings along her many creative experiences in outdoor adventuring as a leader in the amazing Tinkergarten program here in Lancaster. Kelly is a kind and patient teacher that can work with any child.