Meet our Dedicated Learning Specialists
At Spectrum School all of our teachers are experienced professional educators who have dedicated their careers to effective reading, writing, and math instruction for students with diverse learning styles. They have classroom teaching experience, advanced degrees in education, and are well versed in methods specific to supporting students with learning differences. Our specialists hold advanced training in Orton Gillingham Reading Instruction, which is the gold standard for teaching students with Dyslexia and struggling readers, as well as extensive training in teaching writing and math. All of our teachers are background checked and vaccinated for Covid, and Learning Specialists working in person can wear masks if requested.
In Person: Boulder Metro Area
Virtual sessions available anywhere
Jordan Burns, Founder
Education:
M.S. in Literacy with Dyslexia Endorsement, Univ. of Central Arkansas, 2024
Professional Certificate in Educational Therapy, University of CA Riverside, 2020
B.A. in Psychology and Education, Gonzaga University, 2011
IMSE Orton Gillingham Training 2019
Experience:
Educational Therapist specializing in Dyslexia, 2019 - present
2nd/3rd grade Teacher, Aurora School Oakland, CA 2018-2020
1st/2nd grade Teacher, Helios New School, Sunnyvale CA 2015-2018
I started Spectrum School because I am passionate about supporting students who learn differently.
As a classroom teacher, it broke my heart to see students struggle with frustration and low self esteem because they couldn't access the classroom curriculum, and I became dedicated to learning how how to support these students. I got a Certificate in Educational Therapy through the University of California Riverside, trained in Orton Gillingham through IMSE, and pursued my Masters in Literacy and Dyslexia through the International Dyslexia Association Accredited program at the University of Central Arkansas.
The other Learning Specialists on the team and I have devoted our careers to effectively teaching students with learning differences, and approach our work with genuine enthusiasm, expertise, and warmth.
Providing your child with the tools they need to succeed academically is a gift that will last them a lifetime. Speak to us today about setting your child up with a learning specialist who can help them thrive.
Jaime Updegraff
My name is Jaime Updegraff. I have 15 years of teaching experience, and currently work at a middle school in St. Vrain as a literacy teacher and math interventionist. I have a BA in English, an MA in literacy, and am certified to teach elementary school, secondary language arts, and special education. I taught high school English for five years early in my career; then after ten years of staying home with my three children, I returned to the classroom as an elementary special education teacher and now as a literacy teacher.
I have completed several OG trainings and have created resources to work on these skills with secondary students in an appropriate and engaging way. My passion is designing and tailoring lessons that meet students' individual needs and cater to their unique interests and learning styles. Ultimately, my goal when working with students is not only to improve their skills but also to build their confidence and foster a love of reading.
When not in the classroom, I enjoy gardening, swimming, and spending time with my husband, my beagle Louie, and my three teenagers (whenever they will let me).
Christopher DeAndrea
My goal is to develop and foster an enthusiasm for learning and applying Mathematics. If you give me the slightest opportunity to discuss math, watch out! Parabolas, Determinants, and Rhombi will be flying around. Fractions and decimals will be hanging out together. Unknowns will be making plans with constants. I have been tutoring math, off and on since the 1980's when I attended the Colorado School of Mines, where I graduated with High Scholastic Honors with a major in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics.During my childhood I was frequently barraged by impromptu science, history, and language arts lessons from my mother, uncle, and aunt - all middle-school teachers. I greatly enjoy the learning I get to experience whenever I am working as a tutor or teacher. There is no teaching without learning, and every student is a teacher, every teacher a student. Professionally, I have worked as a software engineer at several major technology companies in the telecommunications, space imaging, data storage and acquisition, and robotics industries. I have developed a web site for 2-D and 3-D Cartesian graphical displays to supplement high-school math curricula, and a web site for collaborative creative writing.I currently work part time during the day as an Academic Tutor with the Boulder Valley School District where I help students during study hall period, and part time on weekends at the Broomfield Huntington Learning Center tutoring students for ACT and SAT test prep, geometry, algebra, physics and other subjects.
Alexandra Ashworth
Alexandra Ashworth is a passionate educator, literacy interventionist, puppeteer, and arts-integrated educator who strives to create educational environments that empower, embrace, and promote student voice! Working with students across the United States from the urban streets of New York City to the rural hills of Appalachia, Alexandra has taught Multi-Lingual Learners in a wide variety of languages alongside working closely with students who have Tier 3 MTSS needs, neurodivergence, and dyslexia. With a background in Child and Adolescent Development and Family Studies, one of Alexandra’s greatest loves is being a collaborative partner with Student families to not only empower students within their learning, but their families as well! Alexandra has been certified and trained in Orton Gillingham Comprehensive Plus training, Orton Gillingham Morphology Plus Training, as well as Wilson Reading Systems. A lover of bringing literature, writing, and reading to life in playful and creative ways, Alexandra studied at the Graduate level at NYU within Educational Theatre and Arts-Integrated Curriculum and is Currently Pursuing a Masters in Literacy Education with Pre-K through 12th grade Reading Specialist Endorsement and Certification. She couldn’t be more thrilled to get to know your student and foster confidence within their identity as a learner, reader, and writer!
Ryan Rodriguez
Education:
Education:
B.A. in Elementary Education, Arizona State University 2003
IMSE Orton Gillingham Training - 2018
My favorite part about teaching is being a witness when a student has that “AHA” moment. Their face lights up in a way that always leaves a lasting impression. I’ve had the blessing of teaching in some capacity for almost 20 years now. I’ve worked with ages as young as preschool, as old as seventh grade, and all the grades in between. For the past five years, I had the privilege of owning and operating my own one-room schoolhouse. It was this opportunity that allowed me to see the importance of one-on-one teaching moments. I look forward to working with many more students in this capacity.
Virtual Only:
Brenna Blazis
Brenna Blazis is a passionate educator who loves to utilize her experiences and tools to develop successful lifelong learners. Brenna will work alongside your child's strengths and interests to create engaging virtual lessons to address their learning needs to build all content area skills.
Her career in education stemmed from her own successes and struggles in elementary and middle school. To better serve the needs of all students regardless of setting, Brenna received my bachelor's degree in Special and Elementary Education from the University of Evansville.
As a continual learner, she has refined her practices through programs like Reaching All Reader, PilotEd Curriculum Fellowship, Rollins Center for Language, and more. Brenna worked in different capacities within education over the last 12 years in both the United States and abroad.She especially loved sharing her passion for quality education for all, as a curriculum writer and teacher trainer with the Peace Corps Liberia and the Dominican Republic. In the United States, Brenna holds multiple teaching certificates from the state of Georgia in both elementary and special education P-12. In the US, Brenna has taught all subjects in various inclusive and self-contained special education settings. As an educator, she works with her students to build not only social, emotional, and academic skills but also self-advocacy.
Brenna's lessons are rooted in self-advocacy, a growth mindset, and research-based practices to best meet the needs of each learner. Over her time with Joy of Learning, she has developed a skill set to work with older learners, especially on spelling, reading, writing composition, math, and organizational skills. Brenna currently has availability to work with students during the day. Brenna is excited to work with your child to build their skills together through virtual lessons!
Kristel Turnquist
My name is Kristel Turnquist and I have 22 years of teaching experience in the field of Elementary Education. I have a BS in Elementary Education and a MA in Special Education.I began my teaching career as a Special Education teacher in 4th and 5th grade and then transitioned to a 1st and 2nd grade classroom teacher. I have a passion for teaching children how to read. I am certified in Orton Gillingham and received my training through the Institute of Multisensory Education. With my years of working in the classroom, I understand student's needs and strive to find the best approach to make a child successful in whatever they are learning. I am an interactive and supportive tutor using a multisensory approach to learning to ensure that a student's needs are met and that their learning experience is both fun and informative.