Meet Our Team
Our presenters bring decades of experience working with students and teachers while reflecting the most up-to-date research in their training sessions.
PTI trainers have no conflicts of interest. They have no vested personal and/or financial considerations that could compromise professional judgment.
Lisa M. Brooks, Ed.D.
Lisa M. Brooks Bio
Lisa M. Brooks, Ed.D.
PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE
Lisa Brooks is Principal Director of the Professional Training Institute. She holds a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership, a Master’s degree in Special Education, and licensure in several states in elementary education, reading, special education K-12, English as a second language, and adult education. Previously, she worked as a special educator in public schools in New Orleans and Tucson and served as Director of Commonwealth Learning Center’s Needham office from 1999 to 2008. Lisa trains, observes, and mentors teachers, serves as a district dyslexia consultant, and oversees the daily operations of the training department. She is a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, serving on the Academy’s National Board of Directors and chairing its Accreditation Committee.
Principal Director, Professional Training Institute
Lisa M. Brooks Bio
Lisa M. Brooks, Ed.D.
PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE
Lisa Brooks is Principal Director of the Professional Training Institute. She holds a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership, a Master’s degree in Special Education, and licensure in several states in elementary education, reading, special education K-12, English as a second language, and adult education. Previously, she worked as a special educator in public schools in New Orleans and Tucson and served as Director of Commonwealth Learning Center’s Needham office from 1999 to 2008. Lisa trains, observes, and mentors teachers, serves as a district dyslexia consultant, and oversees the daily operations of the training department. She is a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, serving on the Academy’s National Board of Directors and chairing its Accreditation Committee.
Mary J. Briggs, M.Ed.
Mary J. Briggs Bio
Mary J. Briggs, M.Ed.
DIRECTOR, ORTON-GILLINGHAM TRAINING PROGRAM
Mary Briggs is the Director of the Orton-Gillingham Training Program. She is a Fellow and Board Member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy and serves on its Standards Committee. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and licensure in elementary education, special education, and school administration. Mary previously worked as a special educator and staff developer in Cambridge Public Schools. She trains and supervises teachers in the Orton-Gillingham Approach and spearheaded the Center’s Orton-Gillingham accreditation process. She is the author of two workbooks that many reading teachers use in their classrooms.
Director, Orton-Gillingham Training Program
Mary J. Briggs Bio
Mary J. Briggs, M.Ed.
DIRECTOR, ORTON-GILLINGHAM TRAINING PROGRAM
Mary Briggs is the Director of the Orton-Gillingham Training Program. She is a Fellow and Board Member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy and serves on its Standards Committee. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and licensure in elementary education, special education, and school administration. Mary previously worked as a special educator and staff developer in Cambridge Public Schools. She trains and supervises teachers in the Orton-Gillingham Approach and spearheaded the Center’s Orton-Gillingham accreditation process. She is the author of two workbooks that many reading teachers use in their classrooms.
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
FORMER DIRECTOR, COMMONWEALTH LEARNING CENTER
Shadi Tayarani is the former Director of the Commonwealth Learning Center in Danvers, where in addition to her administrative and supervision duties she offered 1-to-1 tutoring to students of all ages, diagnostic evaluation, school consulting, and teacher training. She holds a Master’s degree in administration and social policy, and licensure in special education K-12. Previously, Shadi worked as a special educator in Houston, TX.
Multisensory Training Presenter
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
FORMER DIRECTOR, COMMONWEALTH LEARNING CENTER
Shadi Tayarani is the former Director of the Commonwealth Learning Center in Danvers, where in addition to her administrative and supervision duties she offered 1-to-1 tutoring to students of all ages, diagnostic evaluation, school consulting, and teacher training. She holds a Master’s degree in administration and social policy, and licensure in special education K-12. Previously, Shadi worked as a special educator in Houston, TX.
Ellen Wallace, M.Ed.
Ellen Wallace
Ellen T. Wallace, M.Ed.
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Ellen Wallace is a Clinical Supervisor at the Professional Training Institute and a Certified member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She holds a Master’s degree in reading and has licensure in both reading and elementary education. Previously, Ellen worked as a classroom teacher and a literacy specialist in the Quincy Public Schools and also worked as an educator in several other states earlier in her career. In addition, she was an Adjunct Professor at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy. Ellen works 1:1 with students and supervises and mentors teacher trainees in the O-G Approach.
Orton-Gillingham Clinical
Supervisor
Ellen Wallace
Ellen T. Wallace, M.Ed.
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Ellen Wallace is a Clinical Supervisor at the Professional Training Institute and a Certified member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She holds a Master’s degree in reading and has licensure in both reading and elementary education. Previously, Ellen worked as a classroom teacher and a literacy specialist in the Quincy Public Schools and also worked as an educator in several other states earlier in her career. In addition, she was an Adjunct Professor at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy. Ellen works 1:1 with students and supervises and mentors teacher trainees in the O-G Approach.
Lauren Mitsis, M.Ed.
Lauren Mitsis
Lauren Mitsis, M.Ed.
Orton-Gillingham Specialist
Lauren Mitsis is an Orton-Gillingham Specialist at the Professional Training Institute. She holds a Master’s degree in education with specialties in reading (K-12) and early childhood (preK-3 with and without disabilities). She is currently a Fellow-In-Training with the Orton-Gillingham Academy. Additionally, she is a National Teacher Trainer. Having worked in public and private education for more than 20 years, she brings experience as a classroom teacher and Reading Specialist. Lauren trains, mentors, and observes teachers in the Orton-Gillingham approach.
Orton-Gillingham Specialist
Lauren Mitsis
Lauren Mitsis, M.Ed.
Orton-Gillingham Specialist
Lauren Mitsis is an Orton-Gillingham Specialist at the Professional Training Institute. She holds a Master’s degree in education with specialties in reading (K-12) and early childhood (preK-3 with and without disabilities). She is currently a Fellow-In-Training with the Orton-Gillingham Academy. Additionally, she is a National Teacher Trainer. Having worked in public and private education for more than 20 years, she brings experience as a classroom teacher and Reading Specialist. Lauren trains, mentors, and observes teachers in the Orton-Gillingham approach.
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