Meet our Dedicated Learning Specialists
At the Joy of Learning, all of our teachers are experienced professional educators who have dedicated their careers to effective reading, writing, and math instruction for students with diverse learning styles. They have classroom teaching experience, advanced degrees in education, and are well versed in methods specific to supporting students with learning differences. Our specialists hold advanced training in Orton Gillingham Reading Instruction, which is the gold standard for teaching students with Dyslexia and struggling readers, as well as extensive training in teaching writing and math. All of our teachers are background checked and vaccinated for Covid, and Learning Specialists working in person can wear masks if requested.
In Person: Boulder Metro area, or Virtual anywhere
Education:
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M.S. in Literacy with Dyslexia Endorsement, Univ. of Central Arkansas, 2024
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Professional Certificate in Educational Therapy, University of CA Riverside, 2020
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B.A. in Psychology and Education, Gonzaga University, 2011
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IMSE Orton Gillingham Training 2019
Jordan Burns-Founder
Experience:
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Educational Therapist specializing in Dyslexia, 2019 - present
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2nd/3rd grade Teacher, Aurora School Oakland, CA 2018-2020
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1st/2nd grade Teacher, Helios New School, Sunnyvale CA 2015-2018
I started the Joy of Learning because I am passionate about supporting students who learn differently.
As a classroom teacher, it broke my heart to see students struggle with frustration and low self esteem because they couldn't access the classroom curriculum, and I became dedicated to learning how how to support these students. I got a Certificate in Educational Therapy through the University of California Riverside, trained in Orton Gillingham through IMSE, and pursued my Masters in Literacy and Dyslexia through the International Dyslexia Association Accredited program at the University of Central Arkansas.
The other Learning Specialists on the team and I have devoted our careers to effectively teaching students with learning differences, and approach our work with genuine enthusiasm, expertise, and warmth.
Providing your child with the tools they need to succeed academically is a gift that will last them a lifetime. Speak to us today about setting your child up with a learning specialist who can help them thrive.
Kristin Mullen
Education:
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Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, University of CA Davis, 1991
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B.A. in Economics, University of Illinois 1989
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IMSE Orton Gillingham Training - Comprehensive and Morphology
Experience:
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Literacy Interventionist, Boulder, 2022- present
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Title 1 Reading Teacher, Nashua School District, 2008-2022
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Classroom Teacher, K, 1st, and 3rd, 1991-1995 and 2004 - 2007
My name is Kristin Mullen and I have been a Credentialed Classroom teacher for over 20 years. I have worked as both a K-5 classroom teacher and a literacy interventionist. I graduated from the University of California-Davis and I have been trained in the IMSE (Institute for Multi-Sensory Education) Orton-Gillingham for the Comprehensive and Morphology training. I am passionate about literacy and helping to create successful readers.In my free time, I enjoy biking, walking, reading, and hiking. I am available to tutor in person in the Boulder Valley area.
Jaime Updegraff
My name is Jaime Updegraff. I have 15 years of teaching experience, and currently work at a middle school in St. Vrain as a literacy teacher and math interventionist. I have a BA in English, an MA in literacy, and am certified to teach elementary school, secondary language arts, and special education. I taught high school English for five years early in my career; then after ten years of staying home with my three children, I returned to the classroom as an elementary special education teacher and now as a literacy teacher.
I have completed several OG trainings and have created resources to work on these skills with secondary students in an appropriate and engaging way. My passion is designing and tailoring lessons that meet students' individual needs and cater to their unique interests and learning styles. Ultimately, my goal when working with students is not only to improve their skills but also to build their confidence and foster a love of reading.
When not in the classroom, I enjoy gardening, swimming, and spending time with my husband, my beagle Louie, and my three teenagers (whenever they will let me).
In Person: Denver Metro area, or Virtual anywhere
Laurel Fowler
I look forward to working with your student. I have a background of teaching preschool for 10 years and elementary for 10 years, K-5th grades. I have a BS in Elementary Education and a Colorado Teacher’s License. I use the Wilson Fundations curriculum and am certified in the Science of Reading. I look forward to helping your student make progress. I hope to partner with you to help your children bloom and grow. We have three wonderful children Emily 29, Ben 26, Joel 22. We also have a lovable dog Lily. I enjoy being outside in the mountains hiking, and biking. I also love to share God’s creation in photographs.
Fort Collins
Scott Barret
I have been a special education teacher for over 10 years, Throughout my teaching career I have worked with students in grades K-5. The students I work with have varying degrees of disabilities. I love helping students that struggle to learn be able to succeed in school.
I graduated from the University of Montana with Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, an elementary education degree, an endorsement in special education, and a special endorsement in teaching students with low incidence disabilities.
I taken many trainings and classes on reading and math. Last year I was certified in Orton Gillingham, and I just finished the level 1 math recovery class.
My teaching philosophy is work with a child's strengths to build confidence. I used multiple learning styles/strategies within a lesson. I think multisensory education is important. I also think its critical to understand where the student is at in the development of a skill, and systematically teach the skills a student needs to progress to the next step in the learning progression.
Bay Area
Maryann Doudna
Education:
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B.A. in English, Loyola Marymount University, 2015
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M.A. in Urban Education and Social Justice, University of San Fransisco, 2017
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M.A. in Reading Education, CA State Fullerton, In Progress
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Reading Intervention Specialist
Experience:
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Reading Interventionist, 2016 - present
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3rd Grade Teacher, Berkeley 2018 - present
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4th Grade Teacher, Oakland 2016 - 2018
Maryann is an experienced elementary educator who has supported students in the Bay Area as a classroom teacher and private tutor for the past 9 years. She holds a M.Ed. from USF and is currently completing a masters degree in reading instruction. She has completed extensive training in both structured literacy and Orton Gillingham instruction. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in the science of reading and she is passionate about providing individualized instruction to meet the unique needs of each learner. When not supporting students, she enjoys spending time with her 14 year old dog Jackie and trying new recipes.
Virtual Only
Brenna Blazis
Brenna Blazis is a passionate educator who loves to utilize her experiences and tools to develop successful lifelong learners. Brenna will work alongside your child's strengths and interests to create engaging virtual lessons to address their learning needs to build all content area skills.
Her career in education stemmed from her own successes and struggles in elementary and middle school. To better serve the needs of all students regardless of setting, Brenna received my bachelor's degree in Special and Elementary Education from the University of Evansville.
As a continual learner, she has refined her practices through programs like Reaching All Reader, PilotEd Curriculum Fellowship, Rollins Center for Language, and more. Brenna worked in different capacities within education over the last 12 years in both the United States and abroad.She especially loved sharing her passion for quality education for all, as a curriculum writer and teacher trainer with the Peace Corps Liberia and the Dominican Republic. In the United States, Brenna holds multiple teaching certificates from the state of Georgia in both elementary and special education P-12. In the US, Brenna has taught all subjects in various inclusive and self-contained special education settings. As an educator, she works with her students to build not only social, emotional, and academic skills but also self-advocacy.
Brenna's lessons are rooted in self-advocacy, a growth mindset, and research-based practices to best meet the needs of each learner. Over her time with Joy of Learning, she has developed a skill set to work with older learners, especially on spelling, reading, writing composition, math, and organizational skills. Brenna currently has availability to work with students during the day. Brenna is excited to work with your child to build their skills together through virtual lessons!
Kristel Turnquist
My name is Kristel Turnquist and I have 22 years of teaching experience in the field of Elementary Education. I have a BS in Elementary Education and a MA in Special Education.I began my teaching career as a Special Education teacher in 4th and 5th grade and then transitioned to a 1st and 2nd grade classroom teacher. I have a passion for teaching children how to read. I am certified in Orton Gillingham and received my training through the Institute of Multisensory Education. With my years of working in the classroom, I understand student's needs and strive to find the best approach to make a child successful in whatever they are learning. I am an interactive and supportive tutor using a multisensory approach to learning to ensure that a student's needs are met and that their learning experience is both fun and informative.