Dr. Shelly Bentley – Owner and Director
Dr. Shelly Bentley has over 19 years of experience in the education field, starting as an elementary school teacher in the Washington, DC suburbs, and subsequently being promoted to a reading specialist. Upon moving back to the Erie area, she has held positions as a Literacy Consultant for McGraw-Hill, a Literacy Coach and Reading Specialist. Shelly had been a full-time professor at Gannon University for the past 6 years in the Education Department, where she taught Early Childhood Education, Early Reading and Literacy, as well as supervised student teachers.
She has presented at many educational workshops across the country, holds 9 certifications between Pennsylvania and Maryland, and has won numerous awards throughout her career.
She received her Doctorate of Education from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Reading and Learning Disabilities from the University of Maryland in 1994, and received her undergraduate degree from Edinboro University in 1989, specializing in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education, with a reading concentration.
Email her at: shelly@readingnowerie.comMr. Chad Bentley – Owner and Business Manager
Chad has 20 years of experience in finance, accounting and management, having worked for the first part of his career for management consulting and CPA firms in the Washington, DC area. He began his career as a staff analyst for a Washington, DC based management consulting firm where he was promoted to senior analyst, and then manager in charge of field audits. Upon moving to Erie in 1997, he has worked as a Director of Finance for Rent-Way, Inc. until 2006, where he oversaw the budgeting and forecasting of the entire company, supervised cash management, and performed financial analysis for senior and executive management. He worked extensively with the Finance Committee of the company’s Board of Directors. He also worked with Rent-Way's bank syndicate and investment bankers for analysis and reporting. He was also involved in the company’s $275 million recapitalization and refinancing.
From 2006 to 2008, he was the Manager of Finance for STERIS Corporation, and handled the financial analysis and review for the company’s supply chain function, and now works full-time for Reading Now ! His goal is to create a company that will be one of Erie's top 10 largest employers within 10 years, by creating a successful franchise operation.
Chad obtained his undergraduate degree in Business Management from Washington College in 1989, and an MBA from Averett University in 1996.
E-mail him at: chad@readingnowerie.com
OUR SUPPORT STAFF
We consider ourselves to be extremely fortunate to have such a passionate, intelligent and dedicated group of these individuals whose sole purpose is to help children!
Colleen Behringer - Reading Specialist
Colleen received her Masters of Reading degree and Reading Specialist Certificate from Gannon University in 2008 and received her undergraduate degree from Gannon University in 2006, specializing in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Colleen has completed a significant amount instructional coursework focused on student needs in reading and literacy. She currently is the Remedial and Developmental Reading teaching at Rolling Ridge Elementary in the Harbor Creek School District.
Megan Rapp - Reading Specialist
Megan is a certified teacher in Early Childhood and Special Education. She received her Bachelor's degree from Gannon University in 2007 where she earned awards for excellence in Early Childhood. Megan is currently a 4th – 6th grade Learning Support teacher in the Harbor Creek School District. While working in Harbor Creek, she has helped implement a web-based PSSA preparation program. She is looking to pursue her Master's Degree in Reading from Edinboro University. She has completed a variety of instructional coursework with a reading and literacy concentration. Megan has also attended several workshops, conferences, and trainings with a focus on literacy. She has also participated in workshops focusing on leadership and classroom management.Sarah Barthelmes - Senior Educational Assistant / Babygarten Instructor
Sarah is currently a member of the class of 2010 at Gannon University, majoring in early childhood and special education. For the past eight years, she has been heavily involved with the Villa Maria Elementary Summer Camp and After School Programs. Most recently, Sarah has worked directly with the Achievement Center summer camp participants at Villa. Her artwork is displayed on the walls of Reading Now! She has also been with us since the very beginning, and was instrumental in getting the business off the ground!
Kristin Stravinsky - Senior Tutor and Instructor
Courtney Gump - Reading Specalist
Courtney is currently emplyed at Springfield Elementary, as the fourth and fifth grade Title One Reading Specialist. She completed her Bachelors degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education,and is currently pursuing her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Reading Specialist Certification. She has completed a variety of course work and workshops in ealry literacy and education, and has been an excellent addition to the staff at Reading NOW! She is currently working with our Kindergarten through 3rd grade groups, and the students love her! Welcome Aboard!
Josh Chiocco - Senior Tutor and Instructor
Josh is currently in his second year as a Title I teacher in the Millcreek School District. You can find him at Ridgefield Elementary teaching Language Arts and Math to Kindergarten through Fifth grade. Before he became a teacher, he worked in the Tool and Die industry for nearly 10 years. During that time he was able to coach football and track and field. While Josh was coaching, he realized how rewarding it would be to become a classroom teacher, and, in his words, “I decided it was time to make a career change. I managed to continue working while taking classes at Edinboro University. Just a short time later I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Edinboro University.” He has completed a variety of instructional coursework with a reading and literacy concentration. He has also attended many workshops, conferences, and trainings with a focus on literacy. In the fall of 2009, he will continue his education at Edinboro University, and begin another goal to earn a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist.
Amarilis (Amy) Rivera - Senior Tutor and Instructor
Amarilis Rivera (Amy) has over 11 years teaching experience. During her career she’s taught grades Pre-K, K, 2, 4, 5, 6, and post-secondary school. The last six years in Texas, she successfully taught to read and write in both English and Spanish students in grades Pre-K, K and 2nd grade. She holds a Standard Texas Educator Certificate in the following areas: Bilingual Generalist- Spanish (EC-4), Generalist (EC-4), ESL (EC-4 & 6-12), Secondary Spanish (6-12), and Life Sciences (8-12). Amy is in the process of obtaining my PA standard certificate in Biology, Spanish, and elementary school. She is also currently pursing her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, Technology. She was a contributor in the “Evaluation of Thermal Acclimation and Altitudinal Variation of Metabolism in a Neotropical Lizard”, Anolis Gundlachi research conducted and published by Dr. Gordon L. Rogowitz, Copeia, Vol. 1996, No. 3 (Aug. 1, 1996), pp 535-542.
She is bilingual in English and Spanish and is a huge asset for Reading NOW, as she will be also working with any ESL students!
Mike McLaughlin - Senior Tutor and Instructor
Michael was born and raised right here in Erie. He was a proud graduate of McDowell High school and is raising his four children in Millcreek with his lovely wife Cindy who is also a teacher. Mike is on the governing board of the Zukor club as well as a member of Parish Council at Our Lady of Peace Church where he had taught Religious Education for 11 years. He is also very active in the OLP Playhouse.
Mike started out his teaching career at the Gertrude A. Barber Center in 1996 after he completed his Bachelor’s Degree from Edinboro University. He was the instructor in the Dual Diagnosis Classroom, where the primary focus was on basic reading, math and social skills to help clients integrate into the Erie work force successfully. His life path took him to GECAC Head Start as the Educational/Disabilities Program Assistant. Mike gave many parent and teacher trainings on Literacy Development strategies and activities. During this time is when Michael continued his education at Gannon University where he completed his Masters in Curriculum and Instruction as well as his Reading Specialist. He completed both degrees in 2003. From there Michael used his degree to teach at St. George School where he taught 7th grade English and 8th grade Literature, with one Advanced Literature class. He is currently teaching at Belle Valley School where he is the Title I Reading Specialist working with at risk students.
In his 14 years of teaching Michael has tutored both before and after school students, tutored privately, and taught summer school both for the Erie Diocese and the Millcreek School District. His goal is to help the students become proficient readers because he feels; if you can read, you can do anything! We call Michael the honorary “Mayor of Erie” since whenever he is out in public, or at Reading NOW, everyone stops and seems to know him!
Amy Leemhuis - Babygarten Instructor
Amy Leemhuis is a graduate of Gannon University, and received her teaching certification from Mercyhurst College, with a Master's Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading from Edinboro University. She is a former Youth/Program Director for the Greater Erie YMCA.
Amy brings over 15 years teaching experience to Reading NOW. She has taught in a private/independent school, the inner city, as well as suburban public schools in the Erie area. She won the distinguished Golden Apple Award for outstanding teacher in 2001.
In addition to bringing a lot of fun to Reading NOW, she is also a volunteer and Board Member of the American Cancer Society, as well as a Volunteer and Chairperson at Fairview Elementary school. She’s the proud mother of two children, ages 7 and 9.
Annette Hotchkiss - Reading Specialist
Annette has been a teacher for 18 years. She received her undergraduate degree from Edinboro University of PA in elementary education with a concentration in early childhood education. She went on to earn her masters degree in reading education and to become a certified reading specialist. Annette has worked several jobs over the years to include 4th-6th langauge arts teacher, private tutor, and teacher for the Intermediate Unit in Edinboro. Annette went on to receive her certification in English as a second language. She now teaches several on-line certification classes for teachers who wish to obtain ESL certification. She is in the process of writng 2 courses for Intermediate Unit 1 on literacy. Annette has taught seminars in California, PA to paraprofessionals. In her free time, Annette enjoys family life with her husband and 4 children, and teaching Sunday school at her church. Annette is excited to be working for Reading Now and is looking forward to serving the children and families of the community.