Thea

Hi! I’m Thea!

I’ve always had a passion for connecting with, teaching, and supporting children who need a little extra support around learning. From the time I was three, I loved playing teacher with my twin sister—and when my younger brother came along, I eagerly added him to my “classroom.”

It’s no surprise that I went on to study at the College of Charleston, drawn by its long-standing commitment to innovative teaching and learning. There, I earned my Bachelor's in Special Education, which set me on the path to becoming a lead teacher in a Special Education program in San Francisco. That role shaped me in so many ways—I learned how to create personalized curricula tailored to each student’s needs, individualize programs for success, lead team meetings, collaborate with colleagues, and advocate for both students and their families. Most importantly, I learned how to make learning feel engaging, meaningful, and fun.

Committed to lifelong learning, I pursued my Master's in Special Education at San Francisco State University while continuing to work in the San Francisco Unified School District with middle school students—many of whom still feel like family to me. My studies also included a certification in Deaf/Blind studies, deepening my ability to support a wider range of learners. 

A few years later, I relocated to Los Angeles and became deeply interested in structured literacy and how it supports students with dyslexia and other learning differences. I worked in classrooms in the Santa Monica–Malibu School District, where I navigated the complexities of public education systems, always advocating for students and striving to create exceptional outcomes. I was also a lead teacher in an autism-focused classroom for many years, where I collaborated with ABA therapists and other behaviorists. I worked closely with these specialists to address challenging behaviors and replace them with more functional, positive ones!

At the same time, I completed training in Wilson Reading Systems and began working with students one-on-one in their homes. This was a turning point—I saw firsthand how individualized instruction in a supportive environment could transform motivation and progress. Working in-home also gave me the opportunity to partner with families more closely and help support students’ emotional and behavioral needs, creating the most effective foundation for learning.

These varied experiences, my love of teaching, and my belief in every child’s potential have allowed me to build meaningful relationships with both students and their families. At my core, I believe that every child is unique, intelligent, and capable of enjoying and thriving through learning—you just have to find a way to ignite that spark!