Lisa modeling The Alphabet King lesson

REAP programs are taught by highly trained, experienced educators. Our programs are led by REAP Literacy Leaders with a deep understanding of practicing multisensory, systematic, direct phonics instruction in the public school classroom.

The REAP Training team

Ashlea Edwards, M.Ed.

Ashlea Edwards has been a special education teacher for over six years. She received her Bachelor of Special Education degree from Mississippi State University and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University. Ashlea is passionate about advocating for underrepresented students. She believes all students can learn and grow and she is dedicated to giving students the tools they need to succeed. Ashlea has a private tutoring practice out of her home where she works one-on-one with students struggling with decoding, spelling, fluency and reading comprehension.

Ashlea received REAP training through her previous school system where she was part of a 2-year cohort. The knowledge she gained through the training had a tremendous positive impact on her students. She has seen first-hand the value of this training and is excited to help spread this knowledge to other teachers and students.

Ashlea lives in Avondale Estates, Georgia with her husband and two young daughters. She enjoys playing games, solving logic puzzles and spending time with her family.

Lisa Glickman, BSEd, A/AOGPE (Associate)

Lisa Glickman is a reading specialist and dyslexia practitioner who specializes in Structured Literacy instruction and intervention. Lisa received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland. She taught Kindergarten for one year and first grade for eleven years. Lisa is certified through the International Dyslexia Association as a Dyslexia Practitioner. In addition, she holds Associate Level certification with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. Lisa has a private tutoring practice where she works one-on-one with students struggling with decoding, spelling, reading comprehension and writing.

As the Director of Education Lisa writes professional development plans for the schools and systems that partner with REAP. She helps deliver Structured Literacy content and works with teachers to implement that content in their classrooms. She models whole-class and small-group lessons for teachers. She coaches and observes the teachers and helps them plan and create materials.

Lisa lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, two children, and dog Wylie. She enjoys reading and taking photos, and she loves Mexican food!

Elizabeth Hogan, MA

Elizabeth Hogan has been an elementary school educator for over seventeen years. She received her Bachelor of Elementary Education from Clemson University and her Master of Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College. Elizabeth was appointed by former Georgia Governor, Roy Barnes, to be a teacher representative on the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, overseeing educator ethics and certification. She served in this role for three years. Elizabeth has taught all grades in Kindergarten through third, and spent the last six years as an Early Intervention teacher, where she discovered her passion for working with struggling readers. Elizabeth is currently working towards certification through the Orton-Gillingham Academy and runs a private tutoring practice serving students with dyslexia and dysgraphia.

Elizabeth received her Orton-Gillingham training as a teacher through a REAP grant and it was a life-changing experience. She is thrilled to now be working as a Literacy Leader for REAP and helping to spread this knowledge to as many teachers as possible.

Elizabeth lives in Decatur, Georgia with her husband, two young children and two dogs. She enjoys reading, traveling, music and theater.

Norma Jean McHugh, F/AOGPE (Fellow)

Norma Jean McHugh is a Certified Training Fellow of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. She has 35+ years of experience working with dyslexic students. Norma Jean began her career as a tutor in Kalamazoo, Michigan where she was first trained in the OG approach. After moving to Atlanta she taught and tutored at the Schenck School, a school for dyslexic students. At Schenck she served as a classroom teacher and started a summer camp for at-risk students. This camp is still serving students every summer. She wrote the curriculum, taught and directed the camp. She directed the tutoring program, oversaw the tutors and tutored many students. She continues to tutor at a private school.

Upon retiring she began training teachers in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. She has trained well over 700 teachers in both public and private schools. She is also the past President of the International Dyslexia Association – Georgia Branch and was the Academy’s first ombudsman, assisting many candidates in achieving their certification. She is currently a board member of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. Recently she coauthored a book for educators called The Orton-Gillingham Educator’s Guide. Norma Jean has been working with REAP to train public school teachers since 2015.

Norma Jean resides in Smyrna with her husband. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Stephanie Moss, BAEd, A/AOGPE (Associate)

Stephanie Moss is an educator with 12 years of teaching experience in Pre-K, K and 2nd grade. Stephanie earned her BA degree in Early Childhood Education from Clemson University. In addition, she holds Associate Level certification with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. Stephanie has served as a private tutor since 2016. She has worked with the Prime Time Preschool Program and the Dekalb Library Foundation. She volunteers at the Boyce Ansley School for children who have experienced homelessness.

Stephanie has been married for 21 years and has two daughters. She enjoys reading, traveling and running.

Donna Muizelaar, BSEd, A/AOGPE (Associate)

Donna Muizelaar is an Associate of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. She graduated from Longwood University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Donna has  taught kindergarten, first and second grade in Virginia, New Jersey and Georgia. Donna received Orton-Gillingham training through REAP and the Schenck School. After training, she established a private tutoring practice. In this practice, she focuses on each student’s strengths by using multisensory activities to motivate them to become confident, strong readers with a passion for books. She is excited to be working for REAP to help teachers create a love of reading for their students.

Donna lives Decatur, Georgia with her husband and daughter. She enjoys cooking, reading and traveling.

Carla Stanford, BSEd

Carla Stanford co-founded REAP in 2013 as a way to help all children learn to read. She has taught kids from all socio-economic backgrounds and from urban, suburban, and rural environments. Carla’s special passion is unlocking the potential within struggling readers and developing the love of reading in all the children she teaches. Carla earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College and State University. She earned a Master’s degree in Education from National Louis University in Wheaton, Illinois. Carla has been educating children for over 20 years and has taught in Kentucky, Illinois, and Georgia, including Dekalb County, Gwinnett County, and City Schools of Decatur.

Several years ago, after earning “Teacher of the Year” in Decatur, Carla used her award money to pay her tuition for Orton-Gillingham training. Right away she witnessed the positive impact this teaching methodology had on her students, and she truly understood its value and its potential. Carla knows that public school teachers work very hard to reach all their readers, especially those who struggle. She wants all public school teachers to have the opportunity to take part in Structured Literacy training so they can have the tools to make all their students stronger, more confident readers.

Carla formerly served as the Director of Education for REAP and is currently serving as a consultant and board member while she pursues a doctorate in California.

Nicole Vella, MA, SLDS/CERI, A/AOGPE (Associate)

Nicole Vella is a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist. She specializes in developing and implementing Structured Literacy interventions in foundational reading skills, language comprehension skills and writing skills. Nicole has a Master of Arts degree in Reading Science from Mount St. Joseph University. She is certified through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist. She holds Associate Level certification with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. Nicole is an Acadience Mentor and provides DIBELS Next Essential Workshop and DIBELS Next Data Interpretation Workshop trainings. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the State University of New York, Plattsburgh. Nicole’s current research interests include the efficacy of professional development focused on reading instruction; reading assessment and progress monitoring; and research-based instruction in vocabulary, comprehension and writing.

As the Director of Program Development for REAP, Nicole reviews current reading research and develops and presents training programs that align research-based practices with the needs of educators. Through the use of assessment and progress monitoring tools, she provides a way for the REAP team to measure the effectiveness of training programs and make adjustments as needed. Nicole also teaches in private practice.

Nicole lives in Decatur, Georgia with her husband and their family. She has a big soft spot for kids and animals!