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.
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
Director, Professional Training Institute
Shadi Tayarani is an accomplished educator with more than 25 years of experience spanning public schools, private schools, and the nonprofit sector. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to advancing equitable access to education and improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Specializing in the application of universal design principles and research-based interventions, Shadi has led numerous school improvement initiatives and facilitated countless professional development sessions for teachers and school leaders. A licensed special education teacher for grades K–12 in three states, she has always stayed close to the classroom and continues to work directly with students and school leaders, grounding her efforts in the realities of daily teaching and learning. Shadi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Tufts University and a Master’s in Education with a focus on Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University.
Director, Professional Training Institute
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
Shadi Tayarani, M.Ed.
Director, Professional Training Institute
Shadi Tayarani is an accomplished educator with more than 25 years of experience spanning public schools, private schools, and the nonprofit sector. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to advancing equitable access to education and improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Specializing in the application of universal design principles and research-based interventions, Shadi has led numerous school improvement initiatives and facilitated countless professional development sessions for teachers and school leaders. A licensed special education teacher for grades K–12 in three states, she has always stayed close to the classroom and continues to work directly with students and school leaders, grounding her efforts in the realities of daily teaching and learning. Shadi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Tufts University and a Master’s in Education with a focus on Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University.
Lauren Mitsis, M.Ed.
Lauren Mitsis
Lauren Mitsis, M.Ed.
Director, Orton-Gillingham Training Program
Lauren Mitsis is Director of the Orton-Gillingham Training Program at the Professional Training Institute. She is a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She holds a master’s degree in education with specialties in reading (K-12) and early childhood (preK-3 with and without disabilities). Having worked in public and private education for more than 25 years, she brings experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and coach. She passionately empowers educators to develop their practice through thoughtful guidance, evidence-based and practical tools, as well as ongoing support. Lauren serves as administrator for PTI’s OGA-accredited training program and trains, mentors, and observes teachers learning the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
Director, Orton-Gillingham Training Program
Lauren Mitsis
Lauren Mitsis, M.Ed.
Director, Orton-Gillingham Training Program
Lauren Mitsis is Director of the Orton-Gillingham Training Program at the Professional Training Institute. She is a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She holds a master’s degree in education with specialties in reading (K-12) and early childhood (preK-3 with and without disabilities). Having worked in public and private education for more than 25 years, she brings experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and coach. She passionately empowers educators to develop their practice through thoughtful guidance, evidence-based and practical tools, as well as ongoing support. Lauren serves as administrator for PTI’s OGA-accredited training program and trains, mentors, and observes teachers learning the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
Mary J. Briggs, M.Ed.
Mary J. Briggs Bio
Mary J. Briggs, M.Ed.
Orton-Gillingham Fellow
Mary Briggs is a Fellow and former Board Member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy who served as the Director of PTI’s Orton-Gillingham training program for 25 years. 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. She is the author of two workbooks that many reading teachers use in their classrooms.
Orton-Gillingham Fellow
Mary J. Briggs Bio
Mary J. Briggs, M.Ed.
Orton-Gillingham Fellow
Mary Briggs is a Fellow and former Board Member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy who served as the Director of PTI’s Orton-Gillingham training program for 25 years. 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. She is the author of two workbooks that many reading teachers use in their classrooms.
Kate Olmsted, M.Ed.
Kate Olmsted Bio
Kate Olmsted, M.Ed.
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Kate Olmsted 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 Education, a C.A.S in reading, and has licensure in both reading and elementary education. For the past 12 years, Kate has worked as a reading specialist at Codman Academy Charter Public School in Dorchester, MA. Previously, she worked as a reading specialist at the Chestnut Hill School and at Boston Renaissance Charter School, and had her own tutoring practice. She began her career as a classroom teacher in grades 2 and 3 at The Learning Project Elementary School in Boston. Kate now coaches and mentors teacher trainees in the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Kate Olmsted Bio
Kate Olmsted, M.Ed.
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Kate Olmsted 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 Education, a C.A.S in reading, and has licensure in both reading and elementary education. For the past 12 years, Kate has worked as a reading specialist at Codman Academy Charter Public School in Dorchester, MA. Previously, she worked as a reading specialist at the Chestnut Hill School and at Boston Renaissance Charter School, and had her own tutoring practice. She began her career as a classroom teacher in grades 2 and 3 at The Learning Project Elementary School in Boston. Kate now coaches and mentors teacher trainees in the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
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