MEET OUR TUTORS

JENNIFER DANNENFELSER, M.ED.

JENNIFER DANNENFELSER, M.ED.

CEO/FOUNDER

Jennifer was a Montessori elementary teacher for over a decade. She knew that each and every one of her students was learning in their own way, yet many could not show their knowledge or gain knowledge through the written word despite adequate instruction. Like most classroom teachers, she didn’t have the tools that one in five children need to master our language: systematic, multi-sensory direct instruction. In 2013, Jennifer took Orton-Gillingham training in with the intention to better serve these children in the classroom. She also studied different techniques to support children with specific learning disabilities in math  to better inform math instruction.  Her passion for helping these different learners turned into Mindguide Learning, and she has never looked back. 

Mindguide now serves elementary and middle school students who attend all kinds of schools in person and online throughout the Portland metro area and beyond

ANAÏS ALEXANDER

ANAÏS ALEXANDER

MATH TUTOR

 For the last two decades Anaïs has worked as an educator. For twelve of those years, she taught grades 1-8 at a Waldorf school.  In addition, she has also served communities and schools as a parent educator, a nutrition educator, educational consultant and teacher trainer for programs in the U.S., Mexico, and, as a Peace Corps Volunteer, in Southern Africa.

Curiosity has always been at the center of Anaïs relationship with students. She believes that each child has an innate desire to learn, and our task as educators is to find the key that enables them to find joy in learning. Creative and multisensory experiences have always been at the cornerstone of her teaching.

As a mother of a child with dyslexia, Anaïs has seen firsthand the tremendous impact that one on one, multisensory instruction can have on non-traditional learners. “It feels like such an incredible gift to be able to design and tailor lessons that truly meet him, allow him to understand all the ways he is smart and capitalize on his gifts.” 

SAMANTHA PISANO

SAMANTHA PISANO

LANGUAGE TUTOR

Samantha Pisano has worked in education both as a special education teacher and reading specialist.  She graduated from King’s College with certifications in elementary and special education.  After working for several years in a junior high public school, she realized that many students were still struggling to read at that level.  Samantha graduated from Kings College again with a Masters in Reading education and a reading specialist certification.  She also holds certifications in middle level math and a supervisor of special education certification in the state of Pennsylvania. Samantha is currently pursuing  an Ed.D. from Wilkes University and is anticipated to graduate in 2022. Samantha began tutoring privately in 2016 and likes the individualized attention and instruction she can provide during tutoring sessions.

 

Darlene M. Geddes ED.D

Darlene M. Geddes ED.D

LANGUAGE TUTOR

Darlene Geddes has been an Oregon public school teacher PK-12 for 17 years and a school administrator for 7. She is currently a Professional Literacy Coach for NWRESD.  Darlene is certified in elementary education with endorsements in ECE, Reading Intervention and Language Arts.  She tutors in reading, writing and study skills.  Having taught high school for a decade, Darlene can provide support in preparing for high school and college.  Darlene also offers special education (IEP and 504) consultation and advocacy.

 

DENISE PEPPERS, PH.D.

DENISE PEPPERS, PH.D.

MATH TUTOR

Dr. Denise Peppers is a retired math teacher from Alabama who has 22 years of classroom teaching experience and five years experience providing professional development to K-12 math teachers. She has taught a variety of math courses in grades 7-12, as well as at the community college level and is familiar with the challenges facing children who struggle to learn math. In addition, Dr. Peppers has taught mathematics courses for elementary teachers and math methods courses for middle grades teachers. She has presented numerous times at the local, state, and national levels at conferences for math educators. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family & friends, and cooking.

BRYAN BLACK, B.A. ENGLISH

BRYAN BLACK, B.A. ENGLISH

LANGUAGE TUTOR

After graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in English, I worked with children as an ice skating instructor and as a volunteer in my children’s schools. With over twenty years in production management positions, I decided to make a career change to a field that would appeal to my educational background and also make a direct and positive impact on the lives of young people learning to read. I completed the classroom educator series at the Blosser Center for Dyslexia Resources in 2019. Since then, I have been tutoring several students in Portland. I recently passed the Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction  (KPEERI), an exam that measures an educator’s knowledge of the principles and practices of Structured Literacy. tm

Stephanie Mayoral, M.Ed

Stephanie Mayoral, M.Ed

LANGUAGE TUTOR

As a child, Stephanie had difficulty learning to read. Growing up in New Orleans and visiting family in Puerto Rico for holiday breaks helped her see the need for quality literacy and education programs firsthand.  When Stephanie became a teacher, zie sought out training in a quality Orton Gillingham program.  While living in Austin, Texas for 13 years, Stephanie has served in a variety of roles: Talented and Gifted Specialist, STEAM Specialist, ESL Teacher, Tracking Teacher or Case Manager and Reading Specialist for Dyslexia Services.

 

Stephanie’s favorite pet is a Xolo, or Mexican Hairless dog. Her favorite pastimes include: yoga, organic gardening, making new recipes in the kitchen, dance, history, visiting the beach or the forest, art and reading.  Zie is also interested in the evolution of the English Language with each band of tribal influence conquering Britain and how this has influenced reading and spelling patterns.

Stephanie is an enthusiastic, collaborative educator. Zie looks forward to helping each student enjoy making the best progress in all aspects of their lessons together!

 

Jan Brown

Jan Brown

LANGUAGE TUTOR

Jan Brown has been a Massachusetts public school teacher at both the elementary and middle school levels for 15 years. She is currently working as a reading specialist at the elementary level and loves to share her passion for learning with her students. Jan is a certified reading specialist who is an Orton Gillingham associate as well as being certified in the Wilson Reading Program.  She is certified as a reading specialist, a special education teacher, and as an elementary teacher. As a parent of a dyslexic daughter, Jan offers the perspective of an educator as well as a caring parent. Jan holds a masters degree from Lesley University and a CAGS in language and literacy from Mass General Institute of Health Professions. Outside of school, Jan loves to spend time with family, garden, and spoil her pets. 

 

Lisa Houdek

Lisa Houdek

MATH TUTOR

Lisa has been an educator for the last thirteen years.  She has taught all subjects for elementary students, Pre-algebra, Algebra 1, and Geometry. During her time as an elementary school teacher, she co-taught with a special education teacher to meet student’s individual needs. She earned her Master’s in Teaching and Learning with a focus in Differentiated Instruction in 2019 and has been tutoring for the past few years. Throughout her teaching career, planning lessons for students as individuals and scaffolding learning has been the most effective way to see growth.  
Lisa enjoys building positive relationships with her students and making learning engaging and simple. She loves baking, exercise, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. 

 

Let’s Learn Together!