KELLY STEINKE, M.A. Ed., NBCT 
Founder/President
Dyslexia & Learning Specialist

Kelly Steinke is the founder of READ Learning Educational Services, LLC. Kelly began her career as a special education teacher and taught for almost 20 years in the Midwest, East Coast, and Pacific Northwest. During this time she became a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in Exceptional Needs, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Education (Administration and Leadership), and founded her company, READ Learning Educational Services, LLC. 

Currently, Kelly serves full time as the president of READ Learning and Silver Moon Spelling Rules, LLC. Kelly is a certified dyslexia screener and interventionist and a published curriculum writer. Kelly also teaches part time in the special education department at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh on literacy assessment and intervention. In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending time outdoors with family, friends, and her Brittany Spaniels. Some favorite activities are seeing live music, hiking, biking, boating, family card games during thunderstorms and snowstorms, and campfires.

Karin Alvarez
M.S. CCC-SLP, Dyslexia Reading

Hello! My name is Karin Alvarez, and I am thrilled to be a part of the team at READ! I earned a Master of Arts degree in early childhood special education from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. I have worked in public schools with the youngest learners in early childhood classrooms, as well as with middle and high school-aged students in person and via teletherapy. In my practice, I have become especially drawn to the process of learning to read, and the essential components of reading instruction. I am grateful to be able to engage in this important work! In my spare time I enjoy exploring Wisconsin State Parks with my family, reading nonfiction books, working in my yard, and doting on my cat and dog.

Sammi Block,
Dyslexia Reading Interventionist

A native of Appleton, Sammi loves working with children of all ages and has been teaching private vocal lessons, leading voice therapy, working in schools, with choirs, and theater ensembles for the past 16 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College and is a licensed K-12 music teacher. She spent 14 years in Chicago, furthering her education and vocal training at North Park University. In Chicago as a mezzo-soprano she served as a professional cantor, sang with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and Grant Park Chorus, as well as having various opera roles. In 2020, Sammi moved back to the Fox Cities, where she loves to spend time with her family, practice yoga, and sing whenever given the opportunity. Sammi is excited to join the READ team and bridge her love for music with helping students build stronger decoding skills and phonological (sound) awareness.

Margaret Hucko,
Dyslexia Reading Interventionist

Maggie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from The University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Arts in Special Education from Cardinal Stritch University. She has over 20 years of experience in rural, urban and suburban school districts. She recently retired from Cedarburg School District where she served as both a reading and math interventionist. Maggie is passionate about helping students learn in the way that works best for them. In her free time, Maggie enjoys reading, traveling, and walks with her husband, two sons and Cockapoo, Calvin.

Laura Kalinosky-Sanchez,
Dyslexia Reading Interventionist, BS – Secondary Ed (English/ESL), MA – Reading/Language Arts

Laura has 20 years of experience teaching across K-12 and adult education settings and is very happy to be a part of the team at READ. Laura earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Art degree in Reading/Language Arts from Cardinal Stritch University. While working with English language learners during her years teaching in the public schools, Laura became aware of the need for intensive reading instruction with struggling readers and those who are learning English. As she transitioned into adult education, she noticed continuing concerns with many adult readers and has made it her mission to help others reach their goals through improved reading and writing skills. In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, exercising, spending time with her family, and watching music and theater performances.

Katie Love, B.S.Ed. and M.Ed.
Online (Remote) Dyslexia Reading Interventionist

Katie earned a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown, WI and a Masters in English Education from University of North Carolina at Pembroke. For fourteen years, Katie has taught all ages, teaching primarily English in middle and high schools in North Carolina and Wisconsin and teaching English as a Second Language to children through adults in China. After teaching in China, she moved to Wisconsin to be near family, from whom she heard about READ Learning and Silver Moon Spelling. Having watched older students struggle with learning and not being able to help as a classroom teacher, Katie is excited to teach with READ Learning to help young people be able to grow as readers. In addition to teaching, she enjoys playing and singing classical music, writing adolescent fiction, and sewing historical clothing.

Jill McLaughlin, M.Ed.
Dyslexia Interventionist

Hi! I'm Jill McLaughlin. I have been a Kindergarten teacher in the Slinger School District for the last 12 years and have worked with a variety of students with different needs and learning styles. I received my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and my Masters Degree in Reading from Carroll University. I love teaching and working with children. I am passionate about working with children and supporting children as they achieve their goals. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3 children. I also enjoy walking, hiking, and reading.

Ann Myrold,
Dyslexia Reading Interventionist
BS - Special Education, MS - Educational Psychology, Certified Level 1 Wilson Reading Interventionist

Ann is excited to join the team at READ Learning! She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. With over 25 years of experience as a special education teacher and guidance counselor, Ann has worked with students ages 5-21 in both private and public school settings and has a passion for helping students succeed in their journey to become better readers and writers. In her spare time, Ann enjoys spending time with her family/friends and 3 dogs, getaways to her family cottage in Door County, hiking, landscape projects, reading, and attending theatre/music concerts.

Linda Pigsley, BS – Birth to 6th Grade, MS – General Education: ESL 1st – 12th Grade
Dyslexia Reading Interventionist & Remote Learning Coach

Linda is excited to be a part of the READ Learning team with over 30 years of experience in education, which includes early childhood, elementary education, and English as a Second Language instruction. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville and her Master of Science – General degree, with an emphasis in English as a Second Language, from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Linda’s energy and enthusiasm for teaching coupled with her love and compassion for her students provides a fun, positive, and supportive learning environment for her students. Linda loves to cook, bake and try new recipes. read, listen and sing to music, volunteer, and spend time with friends and family.

Dr. Kate Siekman, BSE / OTD
Dyslexia Reading Interventionist & Remote Learning Coach

Kate joins the READ Learning team with 6 years of experience in education, including special education, alternative education, and bilingual education. With teaching licenses in special education from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and alternative education from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Kate is passionate about creativity in education. Kate obtained her doctoral degree in occupational therapy from Mount Mary University where she continued to develop her skills in alternative access to functional learning with a focus on multisensory approaches. Although she’s pivoted from the traditional classroom, Kate is a champion for using lifelong learning as a means for empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential. Kate loves traveling, yoga, and game nights with family and friends.

Ann Sonkowsky,
Dyslexia Interventionist

Hi! My name is Ann Sonkowsky and I have been a professional educator for 30 years. I have mostly worked with students with emotional and behavioral disabilities but have experience with a wide range of learning differences. I have taught kindergarten through ninth grade. I also have a masters degree in school counseling. I was born and currently live in Appleton though I love to travel and have been to over 20 states in the last two years. I have two grown daughters and four cats that keep me entertained.

Mindy Weichmann,
Dyslexia Reading Interventionist, BSE, O-G Training

Mindy earned a degree in Behavioral Disabilities from UW-Madison. She has over 30 years of teaching experience, including more than 25 years as a Learning Disabilities Teacher (K-12) in the Neenah Public School District. As an elementary teacher for students with learning disabilities she realized that working with dyslexic children was a passion. She acquired training in Orton-Gillingham, Auditory Discrimination in Depth, Nanci-Bell’s Visualization & Verbalization for Language Comprehension, Project READ, and initial training in Wilson Language. In 1994, she was honored to receive “Teacher of the Year” from the State of Wisconsin Learning Disabilities Association.

Mindy has two adult children, a son and a daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her three young granddaughters, participating in outdoor activities, swimming, tennis, working at a local horse stable, and caring for her pets. She is excited to be a part of the team because READ provides research-based reading intervention that has proven to be exceptionally effective!

Jerry Weissbuch
Dyslexia Reading Interventionist

Jerry Weissbuch, B.A. in Liberal Arts, M.S. Mathematics from University of Illinois at Chicago, National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), Golden Apple Teacher Nominee, 2011. He is a 22-year veteran middle school teacher who has taught in Chicago, Illinois and Racine, Wisconsin. He has a current K-8 teaching license in Wisconsin, additionally certified in Special and Gifted Education. Jerry makes his home in Appleton, Wisconsin. In his spare time, he enjoys the fine arts, classical music, and all the Wisconsin State Parks.

Lillian Wenzel,
Executive Functioning Skills Instructor

Lillian Wenzel is currently a second-grade teacher in Appleton, Wisconsin. She has a wide range of personal and professional experiences working with students who have different learning needs including twice exceptional. Lilian has taught bilingual special and regular education, EL, and ELA in monolingual classrooms, all ranging from grades K-6. Lilian is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English.

Natty B.,
Reading Coach

Natty is our reading coach. The best part of Natty’s day is when he gets to see students. Natty has a way of making students feel right at home. He enjoys getting treats and lounging on his dog pillow while students work.