About Us > Mission and Team
We're serious about
getting kids reading.
Over 10 years ago, Ann Fitts, a Reading Specialist, and edupreneur, was frustrated by the sheer amount of time and memorization required by students to learn to read. She and her partner Chris Stephen thought there must be a better way, and Ann began examining every aspect of the reading process and the English language.
Inspired to change the paradigm by addressing the underlying problem common to all readers — the overwhelming inconsistencies and complexities of the English language — they created Readable English and got kids reading, fast.
About Us
Readable English, LLC brings an innovative suite of science-based products and services to the struggle against illiteracy, a condition that diminishes the lives of some 800 million people worldwide. This number includes fully two-thirds of our nation’s K-12 students who are reading “below-proficiency,” a situation that has shown no signs of improvement for nearly 30 years. With patented technology, coaching and professional development services, Readable English helps schools and districts boost measured reading proficiency by offering a cutting edge solution to the underlying causes of reading failure. The mission of this fast-growing company is to accelerate reading proficiency and combat the deeply damaging effects of illiteracy so students attain happier, healthier lives that are more productive, fulfilling and rewarding.
Leadership Team
Ann Fitts
Founder & CEO
Ann Fitts
Ann Fitts is a Reading Specialist and Entrepreneur and has worked in the field of education for over 25 years. Before developing Readable English, Ann founded and directed The Reading Clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area (since 1997) where she worked with students with reading, writing, language disorders including dyslexia, hyperlexia and ADHD. Prior to The Reading Clinic, Ann worked at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, where she was trained in multi-sensory teaching techniques for children with phonological processing and language disorders. Ann received her Baccalaureate degree in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University.
Tammy Miller
Vice President
Tammy Miller
Tammy Miller is a literacy warrior. Her passion to advance student literacy is evident in her 30+ years in education through her roles as teacher, principal, and director of elementary education in the public schools, and also as a nationally sought after consultant brought in to turn around failing schools in highly complex circumstances. Tammy’s combined knowledge of systemic change, instruction, curriculum, and school operations have provided the tools schools need to improve student outcomes. Tammy received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a reading endorsement at Indiana University and Masters in Educational Leadership at Butler University.
Tamra Ranard
CTO & COO
Tamra Ranard
Tamra Ranard is edtech wizard with over 25 years experience in K-12 Educational Technology. Having served 15 years as a district-level Technology Director in two separate school districts, Tamra has experience with the unique challenging experiences when introducing new technologies to educators. Tamra holds an MBA and considers herself an edupreneur. She has 10 years experience in growing start-up ed-tech businesses responsible for a wide variety of tasks including marketing, sales, budgeting, human resources, and program management. She was an instrumental member of the leadership team that grew a previou ed-tech startup from 34 employees to over 180 employees in 5 years.
Anna Boyle
Research & Product
Anna Boyle
Anna Boyle has been an invaluable part in the development and refinement of the entire Readable English program. Anna has conducted research in schools and with universities investigating the effectiveness of Readable English. She has also conducted extensive research on the theories behind its development. Since joining the Readable English team in 2013, Anna has applied her experience and her degree in psychology to developing content for the Readable English program, training and assessment. Anna is also an amazing singer and songwriter and wrote and recorded all our fun glyph songs. Anna holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons 1) from the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Dr. Carol Gardiner
Director
Dr. Carol Gardiner
Dr. Carol Gardiner has an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Masters in Special Education, and Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education. Carol’s experiences include teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, Title I director, early childhood director, grant specialist and adjunct professor. Mentoring those who are entering the field of education to know and understand best practices in education is Carol’s underlying passion. Her continued work in high education and directing others to know how the reading process can be mastered has been her lifeline after retirement.
Cynthia Hillenburg
Operations Assistant
Cynthia Hillenburg
Cynthia Hillenburg has strong experience in operations and customer service. Her experience as Operations Director at People & Animal Learning Services (PALS) was instrumental in developing her skills and focus. Cynthia has a great passion for helping people which aligns with her current role and the mission of Readable English. Cynthia graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Liberal Studies, Meeting and Event Planning.
Coaches and Trainers
Sophie Weathers Haywood
School Implementation Coordinator
Sophie Weathers Haywood
Sophie Weathers Haywood, Ms. Ed., has worked in education her entire career. Experiences include teaching at the elementary, middle and high school level, Title I Director, Asst. Principal, Principal, Executive Director of an education foundation that supported five rural schools in southwestern Indiana, Associate Director of the Center for P-16 research and Collaboration and Coordinator of Partnerships and Collaborations in the School of Education at Indiana University. Sophie’s personal mission is to use her gifts and talents to positively impact youth and families through relationships and education. She looks forward to continuing this mission working with the Readable English team.
Becky Mungle
Academic Coach
Becky Mungle
Becky Mungle is a 25 year veteran of education with an emphasis in research-based interventions and teaching techniques. She spent the first 7 years of her career teaching in both elementary and middle school and has been an elementary principal for the past 18 years. She is currently working as an elementary principal in southern Indiana and serves as a consultant for Readable English. Becky has worked tirelessly to address the literacy problem facing our schools and successfully utilizes Readable English to support struggling readers in her school. She is a current member of IASP and a member of Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society.
Kathy Klosinski
Trainer
Kathy Klosinski
Kathy Klosinski is currently a Title I reading teacher. She brings nearly 30 years of experience teaching reading in grades K-6. Thirteen of those years were spent training teachers in an internationally recognized reading program. Kathy started teaching Readable English several years ago, both in-person and online. She is a passionate advocate for students who find learning to read difficult.