Meet Our Dedicated Professionals!
The team at Inside Out Learners share a passion for providing instruction through engaging activities that are tailored for the unique learner. Our state-certified teachers have special training and experience of the area in which they provide instruction, whether it be for academic tutoring and/or neurodiversity-affirming social programming. Inside Out Learners's teachers and specialists regularly attend professional development events delivered by some of the most highly respected leaders in the science of reading and in lived experience neurodivergent people including: Louisa Moats, Maryann Wolf, Matt Lowry, Melanie Heyworth, and Sarah Ward. This dynamic learning center also has a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner to help your learner with dyslexia.
|
|
|
Terrie Livingston has been a Hampton Roads native for the latter part of her life. Her passion for working with the neurodiverse population has led Terrie through a variety of settings over the past 30+ years including: residential, vocational, community, social, and public education. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education with special education endorsements from Old Dominion University (ODU). Terrie is a Certified Autism Specialist and has earned a certificate of completion for coursework in applied behavior analysis. As a Virginia state licensed teacher, she has a variety of professional experiences including the position as a principal for a regional cooperative educational program serving autistic students. Terrie's overwhelming desire to educate neurodivergent thinkers in ways that are not readily available in traditional settings is what inspired her to open this most unique learning center. She strongly believes that practicing nonjudgmental acceptance and making meaningful connections with learners is key to being an effective educator. Terrie’s most recent area of study is in the Science of Reading and she is a Certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. As a voracious learner, Terrie continuously attends professional development events to ensure that Inside Out Learners is providing the most up-to-date, research-based instruction for those who struggle with making friends and reading challenges. She has three children of her own and in her spare time, enjoys studying about various topics in education, playing tabletop games, reading, and spending time with her family. She has been an active PTA board member for the schools that her children attend and is a proud member of the Tidewater Autism Society of America (TASA) and the International Dyslexia Association (IDA).
|
Danielle Carpenter, M.S. in Special EducationSpecial Education Teacher/Virtual & In-person Tutor/Social Media Specialist
|
Danielle Carpenter has been a Virginia licensed educator working with children since 2015. She studied Special Education - General Curriculum at Longwood University, graduating with a B.S. in 2014, an M.S. in 2015 and a graduate certification in Autism Spectrum Disorders in 2015. Her teaching career has brought her through numerous educational settings with a wide range of students. She started as a substitute teacher in Fairfax County during college, then was hired on as a special education teacher upon graduation. She spent 3 years teaching in the public school self-contained settings in FCPS and VBCPS. Needing a change, she shifted to working with middle and high school students in the residential program at Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health for about 2 years. After a few years in corporate America, Danielle is excited to be returning to education and working with students again. She and her husband recently welcomed their daughter, Elena Grace, into the world. They enjoy reading, visits to the library, and exploring local parks in their free time together.
|
Rachel Giugliano, M.Ed. Special Education Teacher/Social Programs Facilitator/Virtual & In-person Tutor
|
Rachel Rogers is a special education teacher with Chesapeake Public Schools, in a LEAD classroom. She works predominantly with children autistic students. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in K-12 Special Education from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina in 2018 and just completed her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Before earning her teacher certification, Rachel worked with children with many disabilities throughout high school and college. She worked with therapeutic horse back riding, tutoring for children with special needs, and as a peer buddy. She especially enjoys working with students to help develop their social skills and emotional regulation abilities.
|
Christen Gordon, M.Ed.General Education Teacher/In-person Tutor
|
Christen is a Pennsylvania native who moved to Virginia in July 2022. She teaches in Chesapeake Public Schools as a 4th grade classroom teacher. She has experience working with students who are English language learners and autistic students. Christen graduated in 2019 with her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education K-8 and earned her Masters in Education for Instructional Design at Western Governors University. Christen has taught in a self-contained autism preschool program with children ages 3-5 and has also taught Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grades. She has experience teaching for the Philadelphia school district, private/charter schools, and Norfolk Public Schools. Christen has held coaching positions in basketball, cheerleading, and soccer. She has a passion for meeting students where they are to help them grow academically and develop a love for learning.
|
Kathryn Harris, M.Ed.General Education Teacher/Virtual & In-person Tutor
|
Kathryn Harris was born and raised in San Diego, CA but has called Virginia home since 1999. She’s been married to her former military husband for 22 years, and together they have three exceptional children. Kathryn started her educational journey at Tidewater Community College, graduating Summa Cum Laude, with an Associates in Social Science. She transferred to Virginia Wesleyan College, graduating Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Arts Degree. Kathryn then earned her Master of Education degree graduating Magna Cum Laude from Averett University and completed her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies with Regent University with the goal being to complete her Ed.D. She began her teaching career in 2006, with Norfolk Public Schools and then transferred to Chesapeake Public Schools where she has been a General Education 5th grade teacher now for 15 years. Kathryn has a personal and professional passion for special needs students, as her own children each have their own unique needs varying from speech delays, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, anxiety, autism, and bi-polar disorder. She also grew up with a special needs brother who she helped homeschool in 8th grade, and then ensured he successfully completed his GED. Kathryn enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and baking, going to the beach, and participating in activities with our local autism community. She also loves and lives off of coffee and music to keep her going. Kathryn is thrilled to join the Inside Out Learners team and looks forward to building positive relationships with students and parents.
Malerie Killen, M.Ed.
Reading Specialist/Special Education Teacher/Virtual Tutor
Malerie Killen graduated from high school in Marlton, New Jersey in 2003. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education at Towson University in Towson, Maryland and received her initial Virginia Teacher License in 2008. She then received her Master’s Degree in Reading Education at Towson University in 2015. Malerie currently holds a Virginia Teacher License with endorsements in the areas of Special Education General Curriculum K-12, Elementary Education PreK-6, and Reading Specialist. Malerie has been working with individuals on the autism spectrum for over 10 years. She served as a Special Education Teacher for Chesapeake Public Schools for several years. During her teaching experience at public school in Maryland, Malerie developed her passion for working with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). For the past 15 years, Malerie has implemented the Wilson Language Program to children in grades 2-5, to help strengthen reading and passage comprehension skills. As a Virginia Certified Reading Specialist, Malerie's passion is in working with learners to enhance literacy skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other related disabilities.
|
Sheldene Martin, B.S. in General Education General Education Teacher/In-person Tutor |
Sheldene Martin grew up in Barbados. She has lived in the U.S. for over 25 years. She is the proud momma of a soon-to-be social worker graduate and her fur baby Max, a 6-year old American bulldog. Sheldene completed her college education at Grand Canyon University. She has been teaching for more than 12 years. She is currently a Pre-K teacher with Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Sheldene has served in the education community for a variety of positions including Principal’s Advisory Committee, Grade Level Chair, PBIS Committee Member, and Teacher of Tomorrow Student Mentor. Sheldene is passionate about teaching people of all abilities and helping others achieve their goals. Before beginning her tenor in
general education, Sheldene worked with children with varying disabilities, and since then worked with students on the Autism Spectrum as a Behavior Technician. Sheldene loves engaging with young minds, and is thrilled to have yet another opportunity here, at Inside Out Learners to help young scholars achieve their true potential, at their own pace.
general education, Sheldene worked with children with varying disabilities, and since then worked with students on the Autism Spectrum as a Behavior Technician. Sheldene loves engaging with young minds, and is thrilled to have yet another opportunity here, at Inside Out Learners to help young scholars achieve their true potential, at their own pace.
|
Jena PangSocial Programs Facilitator/Office Assistant
|
Jena (pronounced "Jee-Nuh") was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and raised in Puerto Rico. She earned her Bachelors of Business Administration with a major in Management at Universidad del Turabo in Grurabo, Puerto Rico in 2005. As a military spouse with residence in Virginia since, Jena attributes her personal and professional passion to work with kids to being a mom to a wonderful 11-year old boy with his own unique needs varying from autism spectrum disorder, speech delays and anxiety. In 2015, Jena earned her Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) certification with the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board in Littleton, CO. After this, she started volunteering at the Mea ‘Alofa Autism Support Center and for the Autism Society of Tidewater. Jena volunteered many more hours in the past several years, including: two years in a Pre-K and Kindergarten classroom at Greenbrier Primary School and Sundays with the Pre-K group at Community Church. As her love for teaching/helping children grew, Jena started working at BrickHeadz in Chesapeake, VA as a camp counselor, followed by working as a Pre-K/Elementary Teacher Assistant at Atlantic Shores Christian Schools in Virginia Beach. At Inside Out Learners, Jena is eager to continue to work with children of all ages and unique needs by developing social clubs. Her debut club of creation is our popular Hangout Clubs. Jena is also developing this year's Summer Camp program with some exciting new themes! When Jena is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, going to the beach, and practicing Zumba. She is a licensed Zumba instructor and holds a diploma in physical fitness (2021). Jena is thrilled to join the IOL team and looks forward to working with children of all ages to help develop their social skills.
|
Marta Owen, M.S. in Special Education Special Education Teacher/In-person Tutor
|
Marta Pilat is a special education teacher in Chesapeake. She mostly teaches students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and has taught students with a wide range of skills and abilities. Marta was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education in 2014 and graduated from Niagara University in 2019 with her Masters Degree in Special Education for grades 1-6. Outside of teaching, Marta enjoys running, cooking, and going to the beach.
|
Brooke Richardson, B.S. in Psychology General Education Teacher/In-person Tutor
|
Brooke Richardson has her Associates in Early Childhood Education from Tidewater Community College as well as her Bachelors in Psychology (with a minor in education) from Norfolk State University. She has been state-certified in elementary education for pre-k through 6th grade since 2020 and currently works for Virginia Beach Public Schools as an inclusion 3rd grade teacher. Brooke's current classroom is composed of students with various special education needs. Brooke stated that her inspiration to work with autistic children stemmed from her mother, who was a special education teacher for 39 years. A quote that Brooke lives by is “If you have a dream, don’t let anyone take it away. Always believe the impossible is possible.” This quote not only serves as her daily affirmation, but also as an encouragement to any child who she encounters.
