Meet Our Experts:
Leadership Team
Name: Stephanie Tsapakis, MA
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 14
Favorite Subject: Reading & Math
Hobby: Photography
Inspirational Quote:
"A well educated mind will always have more questions than answers" - Hellen Keller
Wilson Dyslexia Therapist
Wilson Language Training
Texas EC-6 Generalist
Texas Education Agency
Texas Principal
Texas Education Agency
Welcome! I'm Stephanie Tsapakis, CEO and founder of The LD Expert, LLC. We are so excited you're here! I have been teaching students with Learning Differences for 14 years. I earned my Master's degree in Educational Psychology from Kent State University, and I am also a Certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. I love combining the best parts of in-person instruction with today's technology to deliver quality instruction and intervention virtually. Our company started as a dream to expand access to expert reading intervention and tutoring by utilizing the virtual arena. We have grown our team into an amazingly talented group of educators who are passionate about helping your student. I have the divine privilege of being a mom to three beautiful girls, so I understand a parents desire to see their child succeed academically. Sharing the knowledge and skills I have acquired to meet the specific needs of LD learners is my passion - and I look forward to getting to know you and your student!
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Name: Chelsea DiMarzio, MA CCC-SLP
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention and Speech & Language Evaluations and Therapy Services
Years as a Speech Pathologist: 8
Favorite Subject: Science
Hobby: Baking
Inspirational Quote:
"In a world where you can be anything, be kind." - Unknown
Speech-Language Pathologist
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Arizona, California, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hi! I'm Chelsea DiMarzio, co-owner and COO of LD Expert. I am a speech language pathologist that has been serving students through telepractice since 2014. I have Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Communications from Walsh University and a Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Akron. I love working with and advocating for students, especially those who struggle with language and literacy. I deeply believe that words matter, and that the personal relationship with each student, family, and school team is the key to building up that student's confidence in his or her ability to work hard and tackle big challenges. I've been fortunate enough to work with hundreds of students in various school systems across the country through telepractice. This experience has helped me better understand the real challenges our students face, but also to see the very big potential each student has when they know the people closest to them believe in them.
Dyslexia Intervention Team
Name: Amanda Capone, MA
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years as a Teacher: 12
Favorite Subject: Reading & Science
Hobby: Reading
Inspirational Quote:
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose!” - Dr. Seuss
Special Education Teacher
New Jersey Department of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hi! I’m Amanda Capone, and I am so excited to be a part of the LD Expert Team! I have been teaching students with various differences for 11 years in both elementary and middle school. I earned my Master’s degree in Special Education from St. Joseph’s University, and I am also a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner through the Wilson Reading program. Teaching is one of my passions, and I love being part of a student’s journey to self-confidence and pride. This passion has grown significantly since becoming a mom to my two sons. I want to be the type of teacher any parent and child would feel comfortable with. Being trusted with a person’s most precious gift is what drives me to continue educating myself and to never stop looking for ways to reach my diverse learners.
Name: Kelly Carone, M.Ed.
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention & Testing
Years of Teaching: 5
Favorite Subject: Reading & PE
Hobby: Running
Inspirational Quote:
“We all have different gifts, so we all have different ways of telling the world who we are.” -Mr. Rogers
K-12 Special Education
Tennessee Department of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hi! I’m Kelly Carone and I am so grateful to be a part of the LD Expert team! I have a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Developmental Psychology and my Master of Education Degree in Instruction & Learning, both from the University of Pittsburgh. I am also a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner through the Wilson Reading System. I’ve worked as a special education teacher in a variety of school settings- early on in my career, I discovered a deep passion for structured literacy interventions. It is such a privilege to see students’ confidence grow as they put in the work to unlock skills that impact their daily lives so heavily. My goal is always to be a resource and advocate for students and their families, and I am so excited to be doing this work with LD Expert!
Name: Jill Champagne, MA, CCC-SLP
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention & Speech and Language Development
Years of Teaching: 19
Favorite Subject: Reading & History
Hobby: Rowing and Volunteering at Animal Shelters
Inspirational Quote: "Don't try to steer the river" - Deepak Chopra
Speech-Language Pathologist
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Ohio, New York
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Teacher of Speech and Hearing
New York Department of Education
Greetings! I am Jill, an educator with 18 collective years of professional experience. I have supported children in a variety of capacities: one on one, small group and entire classrooms addressing a span of needs including but not limited to literacy, language comprehension and expression related to listening skills, following directions, study skills, speaking, writing, social skills, fluency of speech and articulation required for effective connection across all contexts. Throughout the last year, I learned the artful practice of virtual learning and firmly believe in the benefits and accessibility it provides. I have strong commitment, motivation and enthusiasm for educating children.
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Name: Anita Franklin, MA
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 23
Favorite Subject: Literature
Hobby: Boating & Fishing
Inspirational Quote:
“A goal without a plan is just a wish" - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Special Education
Tennessee Department of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hello! I am Anita. I am a former special education teacher and district coach with 23 years of public school experience. I currently work as an accessibility specialist with an assessment company. I live with my husband Vic and poodle, Paisley, in Sarasota, Florida. My son is a senior at Wake Forest University and is 22 years old. We have a boat and most weekends you can find us fishing or riding around enjoying the sunshine.
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Name: Kelly Houston, MA
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 11
Favorite Subject: Science
Hobby: Reading
Inspirational Quote:
“All students can learn and succeed, but not in the same day, and not in the same way" - William G. Spady
Reading Specialist K-12
Illinois State Board of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Therapist
Wilson Language Training
Hello! My name is Kelly Houston and I am one of the Dyslexia Practitioners with The LD Expert Team. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Trinity Christian College and my Master of Arts in Education: Reading Specialist K-12 from Olivet Nazarene University both located in Illinois. I am also a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner through the Wilson Reading System. I have worked as a reading specialist in an elementary school setting. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to have gone through training in structured literacy instruction. The growth I am able to see in my students is inspirational and makes me love what I do more each day. I look forward to working with your child.
Name: Marie Johnson, MA
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 27
Favorite Subject: Reading
Hobby: Baking and Going to the beach
Inspirational Quote:
“Happiness is not something ready made, it comes from your own actions.” Dalai Lama
Elementary Education
Connecticut State Department of Education
Remedial Reading & Remedial Language Arts
Connecticut State Department of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hello! I’m Marie Johnson, and I am excited to be part of The LD Expert team! I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and my Master’s Degree in Education both from the University of Connecticut. I have been teaching at the elementary school level for the past twenty-seven years, initially as a kindergarten teacher and currently as a reading specialist serving students in grades K-5. I was grateful to be trained as a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner three years ago and feel strongly about making sure students get the appropriate individualized and targeted instruction necessary for their success. I look forward to working with more students through The LD Expert to help them become confident readers and spellers.
Name: Emily Litchfield, MA
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 9
Favorite Subject: Reading
Hobby: Art & Running
Inspirational Quote:
“Hoping, I’m starting to think, might be the bravest thing a person can do.” - From the book 'Other Words for Home'
Early Childhood Education
Massachusetts Department of Education
Elementary Education
Massachusetts Department of Education
Special Education
Massachusetts Department of Education
English as a Second Language
Massachusetts Department of Education
Visual Arts Education
Massachusetts Department of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hello! My name is Emily Litchfield, and I am excited to be one of the Dyslexia Practitioners with The LD Expert Team. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Art Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and my Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. I am also a Certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. I have been working as a Special Education and English as a Second Language educator for the past 8 years, and I am especially passionate about supporting literacy growth. I consider it a huge privilege to play a role in a student’s development as a reader and writer, and I am so looking forward to getting to know you and your child!
Name: Vicki Landolf, Ph.D.
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 29
Favorite Subject: English
Hobby: Piano, gardening, crafting, cooking, camping, Tae Kwon Do
Inspirational Quote:
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Elementary Education
New Jersey Department of Education
North Carolina Department of Education
Teacher of the Handicapped
New Jersey Department of Education
Special Education
North Carolina Department of Education
English K-12
North Carolina Department of Education
Social Studies 6-8
North Carolina Department of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hi! I am VIcki Landolf. I was raised in a small shore town in the southernmost tip of Ocean County New Jersey. I taught for 18 years in the very school that I attended alongside teachers that had not only me as a student, but my four children as well. One of the highlights that occurred in NJ was that my 4 children, my husband, and myself all received our 2nd degree blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do. However, in 2007 we packed up and moved to the mountains of North Carolina. Here I taught 11 years before retiring. I now spend my time as a floral manager in a grocery store making floral arrangements for customers. I have been married for almost 33 years and enjoy the company of my 3 dogs.
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Name: Marla Martin, M.Ed.
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 23
Favorite Subject: Reading
Hobby: Cooking and Being in Nature
Inspirational Quote:
Master of Education
Wilkes University
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Special Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Wilson Language Training
Hello, my name is Marla Martin and I am a special education teacher of 23 years and live in Pennsylvania. I earned my certification in Special Education N-12 from East Stroudsburg University and then my Master’s Degree in curriculum and instruction from Wilkes University. Teaching reading and seeing the progress students can make using direct and explicit, multisensory reading instruction is my passion. I love to watch my students apply what they have learned and grow into more confident readers. When I’m not talking shop with my husband, who is also a special education teacher, I love cooking, gardening and going on adventures with our 3 teenagers, 2 german shepards and goofy great dane.
Name: Teresa Miller, MS
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 20
Favorite Subject: Lang. Arts/History
Hobby: Reading, Travel, Time with Family & Friends
Inspirational Quote:
“Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don’t have to live forever, you just have to live.” - Angus Tuck from Tuck Everlasting
Elementary Education
Special Education
Middle Tennessee State University
Wilson Dyslexia Therapist
Wilson Language Training
Hello! I am Teresa, and I have been an educator for twenty years. I am fortunate to have experienced a wide variety of educational settings including traditional, special education, and English as a second language classrooms in addition to leading one on one and small group literacy intervention. A highlight of my career has been achieving my certification as a Wilson Dyslexia Therapist. Playing such an integral role in students’ journeys toward a lifetime of reading independence is the most rewarding aspect of my career as an educator. I am delighted to continue this work as a member of the LD Expert team.
Name: Cindy Myers, MA
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 31
Favorite Subject: Lang. Arts/History
Hobby: Reading
Inspirational Quote:
“Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at
different times.” - Unknown
Reading Specialist
New Jersey Department of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hello! My name is Cindy Myers, and I am so excited to be a part of the LD Expert Team! I have a B.S. in Special Education/Elementary Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. I have a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University of Portland, Oregon, where I also became a reading specialist. I am also a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner through the Wilson Reading program since 2006. I had been teaching special education for 30 years in the same school district. Although I recently retired, I wanted to continue to teach children the joy of reading, because reading is my passion. Helping students learn how to read is very rewarding to me!
Name: Christina Neilio, M.A.
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years Teaching: 9
Favorite Subject: Language Arts
Hobby: Cooking and Reading
Inspirational Quote:
“There are opportunities every day to be kind." -Barbara Walters
Special Education
New Jersey Education Department
Elementary Education
New Jersey Education Department
Wilson Dyslexia Therapist
Wilson Language Training
Hello! My name is Christina Neilio and I am thrilled to be a part of the LD Expert team. By being a part of the LD Expert team, I am able to continue my passion and help promote and foster a lifelong love of reading. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Rowan University and Master’s Degree from Fitchburg State University in Special Education with a concentration in dyslexia. I also have my Wilson Reading Certification. I have worked as a special education teacher for the past 9 years at Monroe Township School District in New Jersey. I am excited to share my enthusiasm for literacy with more children and families hereon.
Name: Belinda Sinopoli, M.A.
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years Teaching: 19
Favorite Subject: Language Arts
Hobby: Going to the beach, spending time with family and her Yorkies
Inspirational Quote:
“Your mind believes what you tell it, so tell it postitive things" - unknown
Elementary Education
Massachusetts Education Department
Reading Specialist
MassachusettsEducation Department
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
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Wilson Language Training
Hello! My name is Belinda Sinopoli. I am certified in Elementary Education and as a Reading Specialist in the state of Massachusetts. I have been teaching for almost 20 years! Since childhood, I had wanted to be a teacher, and decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in reading from the American International College due to my brother’s struggles with Dyslexia. My undergraduate degrees are from Berkshire Community College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. I currently work full-time as a reading interventionist with students in grades K-6. I have tutored students from grades 1-12 in phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, and writing skills. I am certified in Fundations, Wilson Just Words, and Wilson Level 1, and I have been trained in other reading programs, such as Keys to Literacy and Heggerty. I have taken several workshops and classes on how to teach students of varying abilities. I love teaching, and I love helping students succeed in their learning. I tailor my lessons to meet each student’s individual needs. I am excited to work with your child, and give him/her the skills needed to succeed.
Name: Christine Stremme, M.A.
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 33
Favorite Subject: Reading
Hobby: Reading, Cooking, the Beach
Inspirational Quote:
“Maybe 'I’m having trouble' is not the same as 'I can’t.'"
- Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Fish In A Tree
Teacher of English
New Jersey Department of Education
Elementary Education
New Jersey Department of Education
Educational Media Specialist
New Jersey Department of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hello! I'm Christine Stremme, and I am so excited to be part of the LD Expert team! I earned my Bachelor’s degree in English / Elementary Education from Rutgers University and my Master’s degree in Library Science from Rowan University. I am also a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. I have been teaching in the same school district for over 30 years and have taught Wilson, Just Words, Basic Skills, Library, and virtual 5th grade. When my daughter was struggling to read, I experienced first hand the profound impact Wilson can have, and it is my privilege to now help other students and families. When I am not in school or tutoring, I enjoy spending time with my three children, going to the beach, and reading the Harry Potter series over and over.
Name: Rebecca Summers, B.A.
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years Teaching: 16
Favorite Subject: Reading & History
Hobby: Reading, Walking, and Running with my dog
Inspirational Quote:
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank
Generalist: EC-8
Texas Education Agency
Special Education: EC-12
Texas Education Agency
Hello! My name is Becky Summers and I am so excited to join the amazing team at LD Expert. I have a true love for teaching students with learning differences, and I have been teaching for over 16 years in both public and private school settings. I have a Bachelor’s degree in both Elementary Education and Special Education from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Recently, I have taken some time away from the traditional classroom to have more time with my three sons, and I have decided to become certified as a Wilson Reading Instructor. I am most looking forward to being able to share my love of reading with others. I believe that every child has unique and valuable abilities and deserves to be confident in their learning.
Name: Olivia Tran, M.A.T.
Focus: Dyslexia Intervention
Years of Teaching: 7
Favorite Subject: Reading & Government
Hobby: Book Club & Kayaking
Inspirational Quote:
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -C.S. Lewis
Special Education
Virginia Department of Education
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Wilson Language Training
Hello! My name is Olivia Tran and I have extensive experience in virtual tutoring & reading intervention. My students would likely describe me as energetic, kind, & consistent. I have high standards for myself & the students I work with because I passionately believe that every child can learn to read when taught correctly! My students and their families know that I am dedicated to seeing each child grow in confidence & reading skills. With my M.A.T. in Special & Elementary Ed. from The University of Virginia, my Wilson Reading certification, & my experience teaching in public schools & tutoring, I bring the knowledge, skills, & dedication needed to effectively teach reading to ALL types of learners…and I promise we will have fun in the process!
Subject-Specific Tutoring Team
Name: Tim Burk
Focus: Subject Specific Tutoring
Years Teaching: 31
Favorite Subject: Math/Science/History/
Sociology/Music
Hobby: Reading/Discovery
Inspirational Quote:
“It doesn’t matter how you start; what matters is how you finish.” The Tortoise
Elementary Education
State of Washington Education Department
K-12 Music Education
State of Washington Education Department
Hello! My name is Tim Burk, and I am excited to be a part of the LD Expert Team! My passion is to help students move from survival to competence in their academic subjects, and share with them how fun and fulfilling learning can be. I have a B.A. in Music Education from Northwest Nazarene University, and an M.A. in Music from Seattle Pacific University. My primary instrument is Trombone, which means I am interested in how things work, and basically any subject (just try me). I was a substitute teacher for a number of years, pursuing higher education in various subjects, and have experience in helping students gain understanding in all the K-12 academic subjects. Because I’ve been fortunate to spend part of my career in various classrooms as a substitute, I was able to learn how to quickly develop meaningful relationships with students in order to teach them in engaging and flexible ways in all subjects. It matters to me to meet each student where they are at and build from there. I look forward to helping your student gain confidence in Iearning!
Name: Rhonda Green, MA
Focus: Subject Specific Tutoring
Years of Teaching: 27
Favorite Subject: History
Hobby: Cooking
Inspirational Quote:
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." Benjamin Franklin
Permanent Teacher
New York Education Department
Hi, my name is Rhonda Green, and am excited to be working with LD Expert. I have been teaching students of all ages and abilities for the past 26+ years in both the private and public sector. I have my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Mt. Mary University, and my Master of Arts degree from the University at Albany. Quickly in my teaching career, I found my passion and niche for teaching students with LD at all levels. As a mom of 2 sons with LD diagnoses ( ADHD and dyslexia), I understand the complexities of being a parent of children with LD. When you combine those experiences as a parent with those of a teacher who loves to teach this population…you a get me, a teacher who loves to go the extra mile to make sure every child builds not only their academics, but also their self-confidence.
