Department: Learning Solutions

Laurie has over 20 years of teaching experience in public and private schools. She earned a B.A. in Political Science from Furman University, an M.A.s in Reading Education and Library Science from U.S.F. She is certified in multiple areas including Reading (K-12), Elementary Education, and Media Specialist.  She has advanced training in clinical reading methods and is a member of the L.S. Tutoring team throughout the school year and during the summer intervention program.  In addition to tutoring, Laurie previously taught small intervention groups as needed and served as the TDS librarian.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, reading, traveling, and spending time at the beach or in the mountains.

Jeanie has 16 years experience working with children and young adults in youth groups, residential and therapeutic settings, and the public school system.  She has worked with children in foster care to assist them with transitioning to and from the home.  She has also assisted in conducting small reading groups in several public schools.

Jeanie has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Education in Community Counseling from the University of Central Oklahoma. Jeanie is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children to help them to strive to be their best.  In her free time, Jeanie enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and attending her sons’ baseball games.

Kerith has over 15 years of teaching experience in public and private schools. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Tampa and has advanced training in research-based reading methods.  She shares her expertise in reading intervention as a member of the Learning Solutions Tutoring team throughout the school year and during the summer intervention program.  In her role at TDS, she has provided small group and one-on-one intervention.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, cooking, candle making, and completing crossword puzzles.

Kirsten has had a lifelong love of reading and interest in education. She earned a B.A. in English: Creative Writing at the University of South Florida, focusing on literature and graduating summa cum laude. While homeschooling her own children to successful college and professional careers, she implemented the Leveled Literacy Intervention program at Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary School and taught struggling readers in small group sessions. For several years following that, she worked as a marketing copywriter/editor and grant writer for nonprofit organizations. Teaching at Tampa Day School as a Learning Solutions clinician these past three years is the perfect fit for Kirsten. She loves the one-on-one interaction with her students where she can build relationships with each one while tailoring lessons specifically to fit their needs. Her greatest joy is watching struggling readers discover that reading can be fun. She loves spending time with her family and her beloved pets – and reading contemporary literature (as long as she can stay awake).

Sheryl has over 18 years of teaching experience in public and private schools. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida.  Sheryl has expertise in differentiated math instruction and clinical reading methods and in her role at TDS, has served as a classroom and small group instructor, reading and math interventionist, and teacher trainer for over 15 years.  She diligently works behind the scenes to support students, LS tutors and TDS faculty.  In her free time, she enjoys traveling and hopes to visit all of the European countries in the near future.

Desiree has 19 years of teaching experience in both public and private schools. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Westchester Community College in her hometown in New York. She then moved to sunny Florida, away from the cold, and earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Tampa. Desiree has extensive training in both Linda-Mood Bell and Orton-Gillingham reading methods, which she utilizes routinely as a reading tutor at TDS.  In her spare time, she enjoys taking her dogs for long evening walks, taking their boat out, watching sunsets with her husband and two children, and watching her son swim competitively and play baseball.