Meet Our Tutors
Online tutors only at this time. Check back for future local in-person tutors.
Stacia Rosenau – MAT, MSW
Orton Gillingham Academy Associate
Founder & Literacy Tutor
Stacia is the founder and owner of Bright Words Learning LLC. She is an Orton Gillingham Academy Associate that specializes in individualized instruction for kids struggling with reading, spelling, and writing. Stacia was a classroom teacher for ten years, teaching 2nd Grade, 2nd/3rd, and Pre-K. During her classroom teaching, she realized some students needed more explicit instruction in order to learn reading and spelling, and so she started her journey into how best to teach all kids to read. She eventually developed and ran the intervention reading program at her school before making the leap to start Bright Words Learning LLC. She is also currently working as a Literacy Coach for a local school district, trying to help bring the Science of Reading to even more learners!
Stacia lives in Oregon City, Oregon, and has raised three kids, two of which are still in college and come home on breaks. Her whole family enjoys playing board games, which is one reason she loves to make games for her tutoring students to help make learning fun and engaging.
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Stacia works with students from Kinder – High School.
OPENINGS: Consultations & reading evaluations. I am happy to schedule a phone/zoom time to consult with you about your child’s learning needs and discuss available resources. I also conduct informal reading evaluations with students of any age to help identify learning gaps and skills to focus on for reading success. Let’s talk!
Heather Hemmelgarn, BA
Certified – Dyslexia Training Institute
Literacy & Writing Tutor
Heather is a credentialed teacher in California and is certified in Dyslexia and Orton-Gillingham instruction through the Dyslexia Training Institute in San Diego, CA. She is also trained in the SRSD writing approach and offers structured, step-by-step writing lessons to help students gain confidence and clarity in their written expression.
In her teaching, Heather guides students in many aspects of structured literacy, including phonemic awareness, letter-sound relationships, syllable patterns, morphemes, vocabulary, sentence structure, paragraph structure, fluency, and reading comprehension strategies. She works with students who have dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other learning challenges, always adapting instruction to meet individual needs.
With over 25 years of teaching experience, Heather combines expertise with creativity, often using games and activities to make learning engaging. She is passionate about helping students from second grade through middle school build the skills and tools they need to succeed.
Heather lives with her family in central Texas, where she enjoys watching deer, squirrels, and birds around her home.
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Heather works online with students from 2nd to 8th Grade.
New: Heather offers structured writing lessons using SRSD for 2nd-8th graders.
OPENINGS (Pacific Time/PT):
- 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. Mon/Tues/Thurs
Susan Chukker – MA
Certified IMSE Tutor
Literacy Tutor
Sue is trained and certified in the Orton Gillingham approach to reading and writing through the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education, IMSE. She has completed her Masters Degree in Education from the University of Central Florida, where she also earned endorsements in Reading and Educating Students of Other Languages. She is also a certified teacher in Florida, with 10 years of experience teaching students in Kinder-6th grade. She also has several years of experience teaching students with disabilities and is certified to teach Exceptional Student Education,(ESE). Sue has 3 years of online tutoring experience and is currently teaching students online.
Sue’s family has a love for nature and all animals! Sue loves to spend time with her husband and 2 children going on outings to the zoo, the park, the beach or staying home and spending time in their own little petting zoo. She enjoys traveling and spending her free time working in her butterfly, flower and vegetable gardens when the Florida weather is merciful!
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Sue works online with students from Kinder to Middle School.
OPENINGS (Pacific Time/PT):
- 8:00-9:00 a.m. Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs
- 12:30 Mon/Wed
- 4:30 p.m. Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs
Amy DeFeo, MAT
Certified IMSE Tutor & Instructor
Literacy Tutor
Amy is trained and certified in the Orton Gillingham approach to reading and writing through the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education, IMSE, as well as a Level 4 IMSE Master Instructor.
Amy is a dedicated and passionate educator with over 14 years of experience teaching children in grades Pre-K through 3rd. She is a certified teacher in the state of New Jersey, and a CERI certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist which enhances her ability to support diverse learners using research-based, multi-sensory approaches.
Throughout her career, Amy has created nurturing, inclusive classroom environments where young learners feel safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. Her teaching philosophy centers around building strong relationships with students and families, fostering a love of learning, and promoting early literacy and social-emotional growth.
Outside of the classroom, Amy enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring new destinations through travel, and relaxing at the beach. She’s happiest when outdoors, whether soaking up sunshine, hiking, or discovering nature with her children.
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Amy works with students K-5th Grade.
OPENINGS (Pacific Time/PT):
- Wait list for November
Marlisa Giacone, MS, SLP
Literacy Tutor, IMSE
Marlisa is a Speech-Language Pathologist and has been trained in the Orton Gilliam approach through the Institute for Mutli-Sensory Education (IMSE). She has been working as an SLP for 13 years and a reading specialist for 2 years. She has worked in the school setting for a number of years as well as online for 3 years. She has had the exciting opportunity of working overseas both in Shanghai and in Hong Kong as an SLP with a focus on reading difficulties.
Marlisa enjoys traveling and exploring the world and various cities in the US. She has family and friends that live across the country and enjoys visiting them. She is a big Disney fan and has been to 5 out of the 6 parks.
FALL SPECIAL! Initial reading evaluation and two 50 minute reading lessons for $100!
OPENINGS (Pacific Time P/T):
- 2:00 Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs
- 3:00 Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs
- 4:00 Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs
Future Tutor
Literacy Tutor
Looking for after-school tutors for fall 2025
Openings: After-school
