ReadSource Staff

Executive Director

Dr. Kara A. Loftin

Dr. Kara A. Loftin, Ph.D. is the Executive Director at ReadSource and Head of School at The Schenck School. She has 25 years of experience as an educator and school administrator as well as specialization in dyslexia and learning disabilities.

Prior to her role at The Schenck School, Dr. Loftin was the Head of School for The Craig School in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. At the Craig School, which serves 130 students with dyslexia from second through 12^th grade, Dr. Loftin oversaw the strengthening of enrollment and capital improvements and orchestrated a strong financial management system. Prior to The Craig School, Dr. Loftin served as Dean of Parent and Student Support Services, and, later, as Assistant Head of School for Academic Support at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah. In those roles, she oversaw the creation and growth of a highly successful Learning Support Center, or a “school within a school,” for students with learning disabilities.

Dr. Loftin brings a comprehensive and varied educational background to the job. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Houghton College in Houghton, New York; an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland; an M.Ed. in Special Education Dyslexia Specialization Track, from Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts; and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. In addition, Dr. Loftin was chosen as a Klingenstein Heads of Schools Fellow, a prestigious program at Columbia Teachers College.

Click here to get to know Dr. Loftin in her welcome video.

Interim Director of Operations

Loretta Edmond

Originally from New York, Loretta has lived in the Metro Atlanta area for over 20 years. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and an MBA, Loretta began her career as a Software Engineer. A PMI Certified Project Management Professional with over 15 years of experience in the recruitment industry, Loretta is a multifaceted leader with experience in accounting, operations, project management, process improvement, quality assurance, talent development, organizational development, team building, software engineering, and product development.

As a Dekalb County resident, Loretta has served the community in various capacities, whether through her place of worship, place of work, or directly through a local volunteer organization. Truly invested in the success of her community, she currently serves on the Dekalb County Community Council Board for District 4, a volunteer citizen advisory group appointed by the Board of Commissioners to review rezoning, special land use permits (SLUPs), and land use amendment requests.

As an enthusiastic member of the community, Loretta enjoys being a part of a running city participating in local running and walking events. Her favorite place to visit is Stone Mountain Park. She also enjoys being with family and friends, reading, meditation, yoga, and gardening.

Fellow and Director of Teacher Training

Janet Street

With two decades of experience in education, plus two Master’s degrees in Independent School Leadership and School Counseling, Janet Street has outstanding expertise and a desire to teach the next generation of educators. Janet taught reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, math, and social studies at The Schenck School from 2001 to 2017 and applied the Orton-Gillingham Approach every day in the classroom and in tutoring sessions. While teaching at The Schenck School, Janet simultaneously spoke, facilitated, and led Orton-Gillingham teacher training courses starting in 2015. Janet is currently a Fellow with the Orton-Gillingham Academy. In addition to her work as a teacher, Janet has also served as the Director of Student Services and the Director of Outplacement at The Schenck School.

Director of Community Engagement

Ellen Hill

Fellow of The Orton-Gillingham Academy

Ellen Hill is an advocate for students with dyslexia. Since 1987, she has worked at The Schenck School developing and implementing strategies that help struggling students succeed. While at The Schenck School, Ellen has served as a tutor, teacher, Lower School Principal, Admissions Director, Outplacement Director, and currently as Director of Community Engagement. Ellen has an B.A. in learning disabilities from Mercer University and a master’s degree in learning disabilities from Georgia State University. Ellen has presented numerous educational sessions locally and nationally for educators, parents, and other professionals at conferences presented by the International Dyslexia Association, the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, the SSATB, and Georgia Independent School Assocation. Additionally, she has given presentations at community events, independent and public schools, and several universities in Georgia. Ellen likes to say that she has continued her education by living with her dyslexic husband and children. She is very proud to be the lucky parent of two dyslexic sons.

Administrative Assistant

Ericka Smith

Ericka Smith is an early childhood education advocate and California native who has lived in Georgia for more than 20 years. With decades of administrative, event management, finance, and advocacy experience, Ericka is proud to share her skills as a part of the administration team at ReadSource. In addition to her work experience, Ericka holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Clark Atlanta University and is an advocate at the National Council for Learning Disorders. She is also a member of the International Dyslexia Association and is actively involved with Decoding Dyslexia Georgia and the National Center for Civil & Human Rights International Human Trafficking Institute (IHTI). Ericka is the mother of two boys and is proud to work with other parents to emphasize the importance of early intervention in childhood education and empower the next generation of students.

Project Coordinator and Instructor / Fellow in Training

Jen Burch

Jen began her career as a molecular biologist at Emory University. It wasn’t until 2011, when her then second grade daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia, that she began her training in the Orton-Gillingham approach to better understand her child’s needs. Since then, Jen has become a Fellow in Training with the Orton Gillingham Academy. Jen is a teacher trainer for ReadSource and a Project Coordinator, specifically working to remediate students in an underserved public school in Atlanta.

Project Coordinator

Erika Afeman

Erika holds a B.A. in Psychology from Washington College in Chestertown, MD, and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from New York University. She also holds a Professional Certificate in Educational Therapy from the University of California at San Diego. She has been a classroom teacher and a Learning Specialist for schools specializing in learning disabilities as well as behavioral challenges. Most recently she was a Literacy Specialist at The Howard School in Atlanta, GA. She has been trained in various Orton-Gillingham programs and is a past board member of the Georgia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. 

Remediation Specialist

Nancy Christensen

As a parent of a dyslexic son and former Schenck student, Nancy has first-hand knowledge on the lifetime benefits and impact Orton-Gillingham can have on young lives. Based on that experience, Nancy is trained on the Associate Level and is now a remediation specialist at Slater Elementary School where, as part of ReadSource partnership with Purpose Built Schools, she has the opportunity to work with underserved students to develop the fundamental reading skills needed for their future academic advancement. Nancy has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mercer University. Prior to her current position, Nancy served as a long-term substitute teacher at Schenck, Atlanta Speech School, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School and as a teacher’s assistant at St. Benedicts’ Episcopal School.

Remediation Specialist

Tiana Jones-Cannady

With a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Minor in Social Work from Western Carolina University, Tiana Jones-Cannady has always had a passion for working with students. She followed in her father’s footsteps to become a teacher and began her career in special education in North Carolina, first as a paraprofessional and then as a teacher at the high school level. Tiana is thrilled to be working with students in the Atlanta area and can’t wait to see the impact that she will have on her students (and that her students will have on her).

Remediation Specialist

Christina Pack

Christina Pack graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 and then began her teaching career in North Carolina. After moving to Atlanta, Christina started teaching for KIPP Metro Atlanta as a kindergarten and 1st grade teacher. Christina also taught 3rd grade, worked as a Learning Specialist, and served on the leadership team at the Atlanta Youth Academy. Additionally, Christina completed the Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator course in 2018. When she’s not working, Christina enjoys spending time with her family, doing CrossFit, and reading.

Remediation Specialist

Caroline Pasternak

As an alumnus of The Schenck School herself, Caroline Pasternak knows the benefits of the Orton-Gillingham Approach firsthand. Caroline completed her Orton-Gillingham Associate Level training through ReadSource in 2018 and has been privately tutoring students in kindergarten through 5th grade ever since. She is currently a Remediation Specialist with ReadSource and loves working with students in underserved Atlanta-area schools. She is also a Data Analyst for the Purpose Built Partnership. Caroline graduated from Colgate University with a degree in Geology and spent over eight years working in environmental consulting before starting with ReadSource.

Remediation Specialist

Anna Terry

Anna Terry began her career teaching literature and writing to college and high school students at Emory University, St. Pius High School, and Wesleyan School. She then transitioned to ESOL instruction, teaching refugee women and children at Refugee Family Literacy in Clarkston. Additionally, she has tutored adults and kids of all ages in writing, literature, German, ESOL, and test preparation. Having a son diagnosed with dyslexia has fueled Anna’s interest in reading instruction, and she has received training in Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy. She is grateful to be a part of the ReadSource staff and really enjoys working with elementary and middle schoolers.

Remediation Specialist

Jordan Bizzell

Jordan Bizzell comes to ReadSource with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Minor in Sociology from Hampton University and began working in the communications and advertising departments for organizations related to education and youth development. She then decided that she wanted to have a direct impact on youth and shifted her passion for writing to the classroom. For seven years, Jordan was the lead 7th grade ELA teacher at a public charter school in Northern California where she fell in love with teaching. She recently moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University’s Master of Arts in Creative and Innovative Education program. She is excited to continue her journey as a remediation specialist with ReadSource.

Remediation Specialist

Courtney Robinson

Courtney Robinson loves reading and has had a long interest in helping people become enthusiastic readers and learners. In 2008, she left work as a trainer and content developer in the corporate world to obtain a MAT at Georgia State University in Reading, Language and Literacy/ESL. After this, she taught English literature, reading, and ESOL at Lakeside High School for ten years, and then ESOL to women at Refugee Family Literacy in Clarkston. Courtney is thrilled to have completed Orton-Gillingham Associate level training and to begin using OG strategies to work with students in Atlanta city schools.

Instructor / Fellow in Training

Beth Mares

Beth Mares is a Fellow-in-Training with the Orton Gillingham Academy. She has a BS in Wildlife Zoology from the University of Georgia and a M.Ed in Reading from Mercer University. Earlier in her career she worked as an elementary school teacher in first, third, and fifth grades. She has been an Orton-Gillingham tutor for 12 years and was one of the co-founders of TAP Learning Services in Atlanta which works with students with learning challenges from kindergarten through high school. Beth is currently living in South Carolina and is the owner/manager of Beth Mares Educational Services which provides OG tutoring and teacher training services. She has been working with the Dyslexia Resource Trust for the last three years.

Instructor / Fellow in Training

Kelly Kirkland

Kelly, originally from Birmingham, AL, now considers Atlanta her home. She holds a B.A. in English from The University of Georgia, holds a M.A. in Counseling, and is a Fellow-in-Training with the Orton Gillingham Academy.

In addition to joining the ReadSource staff, Kelly owns and operates TAP Learning Services, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia, where she addresses the needs of the dyslexic community. As the owner of TAP Learning Services, and in collaboration with ReadSource, Kelly provides tutoring to students, guidance to parents, mentorship to tutors, and training to teachers in both private and public schools. She is also a member of the International Dyslexia Association and the Center for Effective Reading Instruction.

Kelly’s expertise has led her to present at the Orton Gillingham Academy Conference on the social and emotional components of learning disabilities and continues to work with students and parents in this realm today. On a personal level, Kelly proudly mentions that she has had the privilege of raising three sons alongside her wildly dyslexic husband.

Staff Accountant

Cara Laurie

Cara Laurie is our Staff Accountant at ReadSource. With a bachelor’s degree in social entrepreneurship from Georgia State and over 20 years of experience in accounting, operations, and sales, Cara brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization. Her passion for using business as a force for good is a driving force behind her work, and she is eager to apply this ethos at ReadSource.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Cara is deeply committed to making a difference in the community. Over the past 18 years, she has dedicated her time and efforts to volunteering at various organizations throughout Atlanta. Her volunteer work includes contributions to Open Hand Atlanta, Atlanta Pet Rescue, Jerusalem House, and Trees Atlanta.