Reading NOW Staff List
The following information is current as of February 2012. Below you will find information on Reading NOW's: - Owners and Founders
- Reading Specialists
- Math Specialists
Dr. Shelly Bentley – Owner and Director
Dr. Shelly Bentley has over 22 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. Dr. Bentley had been a full-time professor at Gannon University for 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 enjoys advocacy for families, ensuring that their educational rights are being followed, and is passionate about ensuring that every child can read.
She received her Doctorate of Education with honors from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007. She obtained her Master’s Degree wiht honors 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
Chad has 22 years of experience in finance, accounting, management, mathematics and statistics, 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 was the Director of Finance for Rent-Way (NYSE: RWY) 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, as well as quarterly and annual reporting to the SEC.
From 2006 to 2008, he was the Manager of Finance for STERIS Corporation (NYSE: STE), and handled the financial analysis and review for the company’s supply chain function, as well as other analysis for various Departments throughout the company.
Chad obtained his undergraduate degree in Business Management with honors from Washington College (Chestertown, MD) in 1989, and an MBA with honors from Averett University (Danville, VA) in 1996. He has also taught on an adjunct basis at local Erie colleges and universities, teaching Financial Management, Capital Markets, and Accounting/Auditing.
E-mail him at: chad@readingnowerie.com
OUR TEAM!
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!
Courtney Gump - Reading Specialist
Courtney has also been with Reading NOW since our opening in 2008. Courtney is currently employed 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 early 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!
Her email is: Courtney@ReadingNowErie.com
Stefanie Johnson - Reading Specialist
Stefanie Johnson graduated in 2003 with a degree in Early Childhood Education from Notre Dame college. From there, she taught first grade in North Royalton, Ohio and served as an Ohio proficiency test tutor at her elementary school. She and her husband moved to Erie in 2004 where she taught preschool at South Hills Child Development Center in Millcreek. She has since received her Master's in Reading and has obtained her Reading Specialist Certificate. She graduated with honors from Edinboro University of PA. Stefanie has been involved with the International Reading Association and has completed several ACT 48 continuing education hours. She currently stays home with her two children, Lydia 3 and Owen 9 months. She is very excited to begin tutoring again and loves teaching!
Stefanie can be reached via email at Stefanie@ReadingNowErie.com
Haley Kolash - Reading Specialist
Haley has worked with us since early 2009. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary, Early Childhood and Special Education from Gannon University in 2006, and is finishing a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and also her Reading Specialist certification. She is currently teaching in a Pre-K program in Erie. She enjoys teaching young readers the skills they need to become lifelong learners!
Haley excels at working with our younger students in reading. Parents always comment that Haley connects so well with their kids! During times when our young ones need nurturing, and knowing someone “has their back”, Haley does an amazing job! She boosts their confidence and self-esteem as much as their reading levels!
Her email is Haley@ReadingNowErie.com
Natalie Sorge - Reading Specialist
Natalie Sorge obtained her Master's in Reading and her Reading Specialist Cerficate in 1999 from Edinboro University. She has been employed as a K-6 reading specialist with the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit since 2000, and she teaches at Our Lady of Peace School. She is also an assessment consultant for the IU, providing assessment and instructional support regarding early literacy skills for the Diocese of Erie's elementary schools. Natalie continues to attend workshops, conferences, and trainings on reading and early literacy. Natalie has worked with us since early 2010, and she enjoys working with families in the Erie area and being a part of the Reading Now family!Natalie can be reached via email at Natalie@ReadingNowErie.com
Amanda McEldowney - Reading Specialist
Amanda McEldowney obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Slippery Rock University in 2008. She has been teaching for four years. Her first two years teaching were spent at St. Peter Cathedral School. Amanda has experience in teaching 7th and 8th grade science, and experience in teaching 1st grade. She is currently a substitute teacher for various local school districts. When Amanda taught 1st grade, she learned how complex and rewarding it is to see a child learn how to read. Amanda was amazed to see how much her students grew throughout the school year. She is driven by her love and passion for Reading, and hopes to instill those same values into her students. Amanda’s goals include, increasing your child’s confidence, encouraging your child to become a lifelong learner, and to make reading fun! Amanda is excited to be part of the Reading Now team!
More to come from Reading Specialists:
Erin Theisen
Math Specialists:
Meghan O'Brien
Meghan graduated from Edinboro University in 2008 with her Bachelors degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education with concentrations in Math and Literacy. She holds certifications in Elementary K-6, Early Childhood N-3 and Middle School Math. This is her second year teaching Title I Math at Springfield Elementary in the Northwestern School District. Meghan is currently working on her Masters from Edinboro University in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. Meghan has been instrumental in coordinating our math tutoring program.
More to come from Math Specialists:
Beth Askins