The Readable English Team
Ann Fitts
Founder and CEO
Ann Fitts is a Reading Specialist and Entrepreneur and has worked in the field of education for over 25 years. Before developing Readable English, Ann founded and directed The Reading Clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area (since 1997) where she worked with students with reading, writing, language disorders including dyslexia, hyperlexia and ADHD. Prior to The Reading Clinic, Ann worked at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, where she was trained in multi-sensory teaching techniques for children with phonological processing and language disorders. Ann received her Baccalaureate degree in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University.
Tammy Miller
Chief Academic Officer
Tammy Miller is a literacy warrior. Her passion to advance student literacy is evident in her 30+ years in education through her roles as teacher, principal, and director of elementary education in the public schools, and also as a nationally sought after consultant brought in to turn around failing schools in highly complex circumstances. Tammy’s combined knowledge of systemic change, instruction, curriculum, and school operations have provided the tools schools need to improve student outcomes. Tammy received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a reading endorsement at Indiana University and Masters in Educational Leadership at Butler University.
Alex Nugent
Chief Technology Officer
Based in Santa Fe, NM, Alex is a general technologist, algorithm developer, and problem solver with broad technology experience. Prior to joining Readable English in 2021 Alex advised and ran multi-million dollar technology R&D programs for the US Air Force and Navy Research labs as well the Defense Advanced Research Program Agency. He is concurrently the CEO of Knowm Inc, a company that operates at the intersection of emerging nano-electronic devices and artificial intelligence. Alex has numerous publications and over forty US patents. As part of the Readable English team Alex designs, implements and oversees system architecture and new technology capabilities.
Belinda Basca
Chief Operating Officer
Belinda Basca has spent over 30 years in the educational field. She began her career in the classroom and then expanded her knowledge of how students learn as an educational researcher at Harvard's Project Zero. She was a lead author of Science Companion, a hands-on inquiry-based elementary science curriculum, managed the tactical operations of the company, and served as CEO. Belinda is utilizing her expertise in operations, professional development, sales support, and customer support to guide the company as it rapidly expands. Belinda received her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Biology from Penn State University and her Masters of Education from Harvard University.
Emily Wallace
Customer Success Manager
Emily Wallace is our Customer Success Manager with over 10 years experience in customer service and over 5 years providing technical support to customers in both the insurance industry and the K-12 education sector. Emily is passionate about providing high-level technical and product support. She ensures quality for our customers throughout the onboarding and implementation process. Emily has extensive experience with the many software products used to implement Readable English efficiently so that every teacher is prepared to help their students learn to read.
Anna Boyle
Product Manger
Anna Boyle has been an invaluable part in the development and refinement of the entire Readable English program. Anna has conducted research in schools and with universities investigating the effectiveness of Readable English. She has also conducted extensive research on the theories behind its development. Since joining the Readable English team in 2013, Anna has applied her experience and her degree in psychology to developing content for the Readable English program, training and assessment. Anna is also an amazing singer and songwriter and wrote and recorded all our fun glyph songs. Anna holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons 1) from the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Becky Mungle
Director of Professional Development
Becky Mungle is a 25 year veteran of education with an emphasis in research-based interventions and teaching techniques. She spent the first 7 years of her career teaching in both elementary and middle school and has been an elementary principal for the past 18 years. She recently retired from the principalship and now serves as the Director of Professional Development for Readable English. Becky has worked tirelessly to address the literacy problem facing our schools and successfully utilized Readable English to support struggling readers in her former school. She is a current member of IASP and a member of Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society.
Mary Anne Knapp
Sustainability Strategist and Coach
Mary Anne Knapp joined the Readable English team Summer 2021. She holds a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education, a Master's in Educational Leadership, and a Building Level Administration License. During her educational career, she served as a 2nd grade teacher, 6th grade teacher, K-12 Assistant Principal focused on Curriculum and Professional Development, and Jr-Sr High School Principal. Mary Anne is a lifelong learner and enjoys leading and inspiring others while building relationships and trust with those she works with. She is a passionate educator that is always ready to learn, share and encourage others.
Carol Gardiner
Director/Coach/Dyslexia Specialist
Dr. Carol Gardiner has an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Masters in Special Education, and Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education. Carol’s experiences include teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, Title I director, early childhood director, grant specialist and adjunct professor. Mentoring those who are entering the field of education to know and understand best practices in education is Carol’s underlying passion. Her continued work in high education and directing others to know how the reading process can be mastered has been her lifeline after retirement.
Sabrina King
Project Manager/Coach
Sabrina King has 15 years of experience in education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Purdue University and is a licensed English Language Learner teacher. Sabrina spent most of her educational career as an elementary classroom teacher, serving 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade. In her most recent years, she served English Language Learner students in grades K-12. Sabrina’s passion is helping English Language Learners feel confident while learning a new language. She will complete her Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on English Language Learners in December 2022 through Purdue University.
Nicole Christensen
Product Owner
With over 20 years of experience as an educator, Nicole uses her background as a high school English teacher, Interventionist and Reading Specialist in an online learning environment, and leader in a K-8 online program as Principal to work with students, teachers, and administrators using the Readable English Program. Her passion is to ensure their voices are heard and ideas are shared with the Readable English product team. She has a bachelor's degree in Language Arts Secondary Education, a Master’s of Science in Literacy, and has completed all but her dissertation for an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction. However, it was her love for technology and life-long learning that led her to the Product field. Since leaving the classroom, Nicole has completed several technical certifications including Google Project Management, Professional Scrum Master, and Professional Scrum Product Owner.