Summer Intensive Reading Lab

Kristen is a certified Florida educator (PreK–Grade 3, ESOL K–12, and Reading Endorsed) with over two decades of experience teaching students in both public and private school settings. She is deeply passionate about structured literacy and brings extensive training in research-based methodologies, including UFLI Foundations and Orton-Gillingham. Through these approaches,

she delivers multisensory, explicit, and systematic instruction in phonics, including both

encoding and decoding skills. 

Kristen also incorporates advanced comprehension strategies, including Lindamood-Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing program, to strengthen students’ understanding of text. In addition, she supports fine motor development and handwriting through Handwriting Without Tears, with specialized training spanning PreK through Grade 3, as well as the Print Tool Assessment to design individualized handwriting plans. 

By integrating these evidence-based practices, Kristen ensures that each student builds a strong foundation and achieves mastery in reading and writing.

With over 26 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist in both schools and private practice, I’ve worked closely with children navigating challenges in language, learning, and reading. I understand not only how these difficulties develop, but what truly helps children make meaningful progress.

As both a professional and someone who understands what parents are looking for, I believe early, high-quality instruction matters. When children receive targeted support in a small group setting, with the time and structure these programs require, the growth can be significant.

My focus is on providing that kind of intentional, effective instruction—so children can build strong foundations, gain confidence, and move forward with success.

Rachel is a certified Florida educator with a Bachelor of Health Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Florida, where she continues to build her expertise in language development and literacy.

She is passionate about helping students grow into confident, capable learners, with a strong focus on strengthening reading and writing skills. Rachel uses a supportive, individualized approach to meet each student where they are and provide targeted instruction that builds both ability and confidence.

Rachel is dedicated to creating a positive learning environment where students feel encouraged and supported. She believes every child can succeed with the right tools and guidance, and she strives to help each student reach their full potential.