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., F/OGA
Lauren Mitsis
Lauren Mitsis, M.Ed., F/OGA
Director, Orton-Gillingham Training Program
Lauren Mitsis is Director of the Orton-Gillingham Training Program at the Professional Training Institute (PTI). She is a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She holds a Master of Education degree 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 also serves as a National Teacher Trainer, as 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., F/OGA
Director, Orton-Gillingham Training Program
Lauren Mitsis is Director of the Orton-Gillingham Training Program at the Professional Training Institute (PTI). She is a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She holds a Master of Education degree 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 also serves as a National Teacher Trainer, as 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.
Kate Olmsted, M.Ed., Clinical Supervisor/OGA
Kate Olmsted Bio
Kate Olmsted, M.Ed., Clinical Supervisor/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Kate Olmsted is a Fellow in Training at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She has served as a Clinical Supervisor for PTI since 2022. She holds a Master of Education degree, 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., Clinical Supervisor/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Kate Olmsted is a Fellow in Training at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She has served as a Clinical Supervisor for PTI since 2022. She holds a Master of Education degree, 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.
Sarah Marsden, M.Ed., Clinical Supervisor/OGA
Sarah Marsden Bio
Sarah Marsden, M.Ed., Clinical Supervisor/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Sarah Marsden is a Clinical Supervisor at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical Member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. For over twenty years, Sarah has worked as a special educator and reading specialist, gaining experience in Massachusetts public schools. She holds master’s degrees in Elementary Education (1-6) and Moderate Special Needs (K-8), as well as a Reading license (all levels). In addition, Sarah mentors and coaches teacher trainees in the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Sarah Marsden Bio
Sarah Marsden, M.Ed., Clinical Supervisor/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Clinical Supervisor
Sarah Marsden is a Clinical Supervisor at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical Member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. For over twenty years, Sarah has worked as a special educator and reading specialist, gaining experience in Massachusetts public schools. She holds master’s degrees in Elementary Education (1-6) and Moderate Special Needs (K-8), as well as a Reading license (all levels). In addition, Sarah mentors and coaches teacher trainees in the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
Shawn Lucas, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Shawn Lucas Bio
Shawn Lucas, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Shawn Lucas is a Fellow in Training at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She earned a Master of Special Education, a Master of Applied Anthropology, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. She is a licensed Special Education teacher in the state of Connecticut. Shawn started her career in education as a paraprofessional in elementary school in 2006 and started teaching in 2010. She has experience teaching elementary, middle, and high school students. A self-proclaimed “word nerd”, Shawn shares her curiosity about words and love of reading with her high school and private practice students. She is thrilled to be learning alongside her fellow FiTs and Fellows in the PTI Orton-Gillingham Accredited Training Program.
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Shawn Lucas Bio
Shawn Lucas, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Shawn Lucas is a Fellow in Training at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She earned a Master of Special Education, a Master of Applied Anthropology, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. She is a licensed Special Education teacher in the state of Connecticut. Shawn started her career in education as a paraprofessional in elementary school in 2006 and started teaching in 2010. She has experience teaching elementary, middle, and high school students. A self-proclaimed “word nerd”, Shawn shares her curiosity about words and love of reading with her high school and private practice students. She is thrilled to be learning alongside her fellow FiTs and Fellows in the PTI Orton-Gillingham Accredited Training Program.
Eva Yarger, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Eva Yarger Bio
Eva Yarger, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Eva Yarger is a Fellow in Training at Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She is a multilingual learner teacher at The Hope Academy in Providence, RI. Eva holds a certification in English for Speakers of other Languages and a teaching license in elementary education. She received a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Science in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences from Brown University.
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Eva Yarger Bio
Eva Yarger, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Eva Yarger is a Fellow in Training at Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She is a multilingual learner teacher at The Hope Academy in Providence, RI. Eva holds a certification in English for Speakers of other Languages and a teaching license in elementary education. She received a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Science in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences from Brown University.
Kathryn Mazzucca, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Kathryn Mazzucca Bio
Kathryn Mazzucca, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Kathryn Mazzucca is a Fellow in Training at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She holds a Master of Literacy degree and is licensed in reading, elementary education, and special education. Kathryn currently serves as a reading interventionist in the North Babylon School District on Long Island, NY and she maintains her own private tutoring practice. Previously, Kathryn worked as a literacy specialist and Dean of Special Education at RISE Prep Lower Academy in Woonsocket, RI. She began her career ten years ago in an integrated co-teaching first-grade classroom. Kathryn is deeply passionate about literacy and believes reading is a gateway to confidence, independence, and lifelong learning.
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Kathryn Mazzucca Bio
Kathryn Mazzucca, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Kathryn Mazzucca is a Fellow in Training at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She holds a Master of Literacy degree and is licensed in reading, elementary education, and special education. Kathryn currently serves as a reading interventionist in the North Babylon School District on Long Island, NY and she maintains her own private tutoring practice. Previously, Kathryn worked as a literacy specialist and Dean of Special Education at RISE Prep Lower Academy in Woonsocket, RI. She began her career ten years ago in an integrated co-teaching first-grade classroom. Kathryn is deeply passionate about literacy and believes reading is a gateway to confidence, independence, and lifelong learning.
Mayumi Morash, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Mayumi Morash Bio
Mayumi Morash, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Mayumi Morash is a Fellow in Training at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. A licensed Special Education teacher, she earned a Master of Special Education from Simmons College and a Master of Education Policy and Management from Harvard University. She began her career as a teacher at Landmark School, and she is currently the Director of Learning Skills at Brookwood School in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Mayumi is passionate about helping all students develop their skills and learn what tools and strategies work best for them, so they can reach their full potential.
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Mayumi Morash Bio
Mayumi Morash, M.Ed., FiT/OGA
Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Training
Mayumi Morash is a Fellow in Training at the Professional Training Institute and a Clinical member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. A licensed Special Education teacher, she earned a Master of Special Education from Simmons College and a Master of Education Policy and Management from Harvard University. She began her career as a teacher at Landmark School, and she is currently the Director of Learning Skills at Brookwood School in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Mayumi is passionate about helping all students develop their skills and learn what tools and strategies work best for them, so they can reach their full potential.
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