About Us
The Literacy Tutoring Collaboration is led by Alyssa, a certified special education and English language learner teacher, and Casie, a certified Reading Specialist and English language learner teacher, to help close the literacy gap by providing targeted, consistent, and intensive literacy interventions at zero cost to schools.
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As former classroom teachers in high need, Title I schools, Alyssa and Casie have always been passionate about literacy instruction and the lack of time available to provide consistent and intensive literacy instruction. They’ve taken their passion for literacy instruction and helping students succeed by founding The Literacy Tutoring Collaboration.
At the Literacy Tutoring Collaboration, our mission is to close the literacy gap to enable all students to read at or above grade level by partnering with schools to provide intensive literacy interventions during the school day. We envision Northern Virginia being a place where every student would become an independent, skilled reader regardless of their school’s funding constraints. ​
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Meet the Team
Alyssa Van Duyn
Alyssa has worked in the field of education for the past 20 years. She began her career by joining Teach for America as a special education teacher in Washington DC. This experience of providing an excellent education for traditionally under served populations fueled her passion for equity in education.
She earned her Masters in the Art of Teaching and is a certified special education and English language learner teacher. She has worked in a variety of settings including public, private, and public charter schools. She has also served as a private tutor. Alyssa is trained in several research based literacy programs including Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, 95% Phonics, and the Lexia Aspire Comprehension program.
When she isn't teaching, Alyssa enjoys cooking, pretending she can knit, and spending time with her husband and three children. When she isn't cheering on her kids at a sporting event, she enjoys family hikes and game nights.
Casie Disantis
Over the last 20 years, Casie has worked in education as a classroom teacher, ESOL specialist, tutor, homeschool mom, and Reading Specialist. It was during her many years as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher in Title 1, high need schools that Casie realized the significant need for early literacy intervention. She worked closely with and learned from the reading specialist and served as a literacy leader in her school.
Casie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Religious Studies and, after several years as a business consultant, Casie earned her Masters in Teaching in Elementary Education and ESOL. She later earned her Reading Specialist degree. Casie is highly trained in reading educations and is trained in several structured literacy programs.
When she isn't teaching, Casie is spending time with her husband, two kids, and yellow lab, Sunny. She enjoys reading, exercising, spending time with her friends and family, and coaching her kid's sports.
