Leadership and Staff
Meet the academic language therapists, teachers, and directors who run the day-to-day life of Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia.
School Leadership
Our leadership team brings decades of experience in dyslexia education, special education, and school administration.
Traci Barrientos, M.Ed., CALT-QI, LDT, CDS
Executive Director
Traci Barrientos started her teaching career in 1994 at St. James Catholic School in Gulfport, MS, after receiving an undergraduate degree in Reading Education from St. Mary's University, San Antonio, TX. She later became a southeastern regional consultant for Total Language Plus of Seattle, WA, and a homeschool consultant for Winsor Learning's Sonday System of Bloomington, MN. In 2014, Traci completed her Master's in Dyslexia Therapy through William Carey University. She founded Coast Reading Solutions, L.L.C., where she piloted dyslexia therapy programs for St. James Catholic Elementary School and St.
Lauren Houston, Ed.S., CALT-QI, LDT
Principal
Lauren Houston is a dyslexic herself from Hattiesburg, MS. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from William Carey University in May of 2014. After teaching for a year in the public school system, she saw that she was unequipped to reach the dyslexic population in her classroom. She began her Masters degree in dyslexia therapy while working for The 3D School, Dynamic Dyslexia Design in Petal, MS. She graduated with her Masters Degree in Dyslexia Therapy from William Carey University in May of 2017. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist & Qualified Instructor (CALT-QI).
Sorrel Duncan, M.Ed., CALT, LDT
Director of Finance, Multisensory Math Practitioner
Sorrel completed her Master's degree in Dyslexia Therapy at William Carey University in 2021. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) with the Academic Language Therapists Association (ALTA) and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist. Sorrel is also a Multisensory Math practitioner through ASDEC and is working toward certification as a qualified MSM instructor. She is one of the founders of Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia and is honored to be part of this amazing team. Sorrel lives in Ocean Springs, MS, with her husband, Kory. Their three children are spreading their wings in area colleges and careers.
Stephanie Hill, M.Ed., CALT, LDT
Marketing & Technology Director, Dyslexia Therapist
Stephanie Hill is from Ocean Springs, MS. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University in 2012. After teaching at a local private school for seven years, she began the Dyslexia Therapy program at William Carey, and completed her Master’s degree in 2020. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and wants to use her knowledge to reach as many students as possible on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. While not teaching, Stephanie spends time with her wonderful family: husband, Jesse and two children, Amelia and Danny.
Kayla Reggio, M.Ed., CALT-QI, LDT
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Kayla Reggio is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor with 14 years of experience in dyslexia education. She spent a decade supporting the growth and development of Louisiana Key Academy, a public charter school system for children with dyslexia, where she played a key role in establishing the Dyslexia Resource Center’s Dyslexia Therapy Training Program, the first accredited training program of its kind in Louisiana. Kayla is currently completing her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Louisiana State University, where she also teaches undergraduate courses in dyslexia.
Classroom Teachers
Every teacher at Lighthouse Academy is trained in evidence-based, Orton-Gillingham grounded instruction. Many of them are dyslexic themselves or are raising a child who is.
Olivia Holley, M.Ed.
2nd Grade Teacher, Dyslexia Therapy Intern
I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from William Carey University. I went on to obtain a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. My career has remained in Elementary education which I love. I am from the Gulf Coast and love to spend time with family. I am blessed to serve our students at Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia.
Lucretia Simpson, M.Ed., CALT
3rd Grade Teacher, Dyslexia Therapist
A resident of Wiggins, MS, Lucretia has been teaching grades K-2 in the public education system for 22 years. She received her Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Literacy Learning in the Content Area from Walden University in 2009. Since learning that her daughter has dyslexia, Lucretia has devoted her time to learning more about dyslexia and wants to help other students who struggle with reading. Lucretia is currently enrolled in the CALT program.
Renee Hooper, M.Ed.
3rd Grade Teacher
Ms. Renee Hooper is from Vancleave, MS. She earned her Associates of Arts Degree at MGCCC- Gulf Coast. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her Master's Degree in Education Technology and Instructional Design Ms. Hooper is also training to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). In her free time, Ms. Hooper loves spending time with her son, Liam and her furbaby, Oliver.
Debbie Powell, M.Ed.
4th Grade Teacher, Dyslexia Therapy Intern
I am from Biloxi, MS. I received Bachelor’s degrees in Special Education and Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. After several years in Special Education, I transitioned to the general education classroom teaching fourth grade. I went on to complete my Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at William Carey University. With 27 years as an educator, I have worked with all grades K-12 in some capacity. In 2024, I was awarded the Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Grant as well as retired from the Biloxi Public School System.
Alex Hill, M.Ed., LDT
5th Grade Teacher, Dyslexia Therapist
I have called Jackson Mississippi home since I was six years old. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development from Mississippi State University followed by a master’s degree in Dyslexia Therapy from Mississippi College. Since 2020, I have been dedicated to providing dyslexia therapy in the Jackson area, helping children overcome challenges and reach their best potential through the Orton Gillingham Method. The past several years I have spent at Magnolia Speech School as a dyslexia therapist and worked with children with a variety of speech and language disorders.
Hope Hardy, M.Ed., CALT, LDT
5th Grade Teacher, Dyslexia Therapist
Ms. Hope Hardy is excited to begin her first year at the Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia! She has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from William Carey University, a master’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi College, and a master's degree in dyslexia therapy from the University of Southern Mississippi. She taught in the Jackson area for five years before staying home with her daughters. She has also taught for four years in Alabama private schools in addition to four years of being a private dyslexia therapist after school.
Melanie Walton, M.Ed.
6th Grade Teacher, Dyslexia Therapy Intern
A Kentucky native, Mrs. Melanie Walton has called the Gulf Coast home since 2004. She holds a Bachelor’s in English and Allied Language Arts from Western Kentucky University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from The University of Southern Mississippi. She also has an endorsement to teach English as a second language. Mrs. Walton has taught students ranging from eleventh grade to PreK3 and has loved every level! In addition to being a classroom teacher, she has experience serving as instructional coach, curriculum director, and preschool director. Outside of the classroom, Mrs.
Christin Breland, M.Ed., CALT
Math Teacher, Psychometrist
Mrs. Christin Breland is from Vancleave, MS. She earned her Associates of Arts Degree at MGCCC, Perkinston Campus, where she was a member of the Women’s Soccer Team. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Mrs. Breland is entering her tenth year as an educator. She began her career in Education by teaching both Math and Science at the Elementary Level in Petal and then in George County. Mrs.
Dee Fury
Math Teacher
Dee Fury is a resident of D'Iberville, MS. Dee lives with her husband and has two adult sons and a grandson. Dee realized she wanted to be a teacher at an early age. When she was in 2nd grade, she remembers having the opportunity to help another student who was having difficulty reading. Mrs. Fury worked in public schools from 1985 as an assistant until 1996 when she received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1996. Mrs. Fury held teaching positions at D'Iberville Elementary School and in the Biloxi School District.
Stephanie Grammar
Specials Teacher
Stephanie Grammar is an art educator from Biloxi, MS. She was raised on the Gulf Coast and from the time she was small, there was one thing she was sure of: that she wanted to be an artist, though she wasn’t sure what kind. Through her school years, she explored multiple areas of art; theatre, visual art, creative writing and many more. She attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and worked toward an A.A. in Art.
John Mundy, Ph.D., NBCT
STEM Teacher
Bio coming soon.
Jenelle Rametta
Movement Teacher
Bio coming soon.
Therapists and Diagnosticians
Our specialists carry the diagnostic and therapy work that sits alongside the school day.
Emily Wielgosz, M.S., CCC-SLP
Diagnostician
Bio coming soon.
Susan Roberson, M.Ed., CALT, LDT
Dyslexia Therapist
Bio coming soon.
Wendy Luscy, M.Ed., CALT
Dyslexia Therapist
Mrs. Wendy Luscy holds a Bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and a Master’s degree in Dyslexia Therapy from William Carey University. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist with over 20 years of experience working with children with dyslexia. Her passion for supporting students with learning differences began when her son was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia. This led her to teach at a specialized school in New Orleans focused on helping students with unique learning needs. In 2005, she and her family relocated to the Gulf Coast, where she continued her work at a local private school.
Front Office and Classroom Support
The people who keep the building running, greet your family at the door, and know every student by name.
Candace Pulley
Office Specialist
Donna Coffman
Assistant Teacher & Records Clerk
Shelby Carlington
Teacher's Assistant
A faculty that shows up for every detail
Our teachers plan together, share materials, and adjust lessons weekly based on what each student needs next. The work is deeply collaborative.
Professional learning never stops here. Faculty continue their Orton-Gillingham training year over year so instruction stays faithful to the research.
One Lighthouse, three ways we help
Every part of Lighthouse works in concert so families can find the right kind of support at the right moment.
Lighthouse Academy
A three to four year remediation school for students with dyslexia, grades two through six.
Lighthouse Diagnostics
Comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for children and adults along the Gulf South.
Outclient Therapy
After-school Orton-Gillingham therapy for students who need targeted support beyond the classroom.
Join Our Team
We're always looking for passionate educators who want to make a difference in the lives of dyslexic learners.