About Us
Orton Gillingham trainers and tutors use proven principles to help students become successful readers.
While the industry term is ‘tutor,’ we are much more than that. We are practitioners who have spent time: studying the most recent brain science, reviewing data that supports reading acquisition, understanding orthography, learning methods for being diagnostic and prescriptive, and/while understanding the need for being emotionally sound.
We recognize that struggling readers have parents who are struggling as well. We seek to partner with you by providing a reading path for your child, and support for you in your dyslexia journey.
We see dyslexia as a superpower for our students. We appreciate dyslexic thinking and are excited for the future of our students. We look forward to sharing our enthusiasm with you and your child.
Kelly Kirkland
Owner & Founder | TAP Learning Services
Fellow, Orton-Gillingham Academy
B.A. English, University of Georgia | M.A. Counseling, Liberty University
Kelly Kirkland is the Owner and Founder of TAP Learning Services and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Dyslexia Association – Georgia Branch. As a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, she provides structured literacy training, mentorship, and individualized instruction grounded in systematic, multisensory practice.
Kelly founded TAP to serve students with dyslexia and related learning differences through high-quality, evidence-based instruction. In addition to tutoring, she provides educator training, practicum supervision, and parent consultation across TAP’s instructional programs.
She has presented at the Orton-Gillingham Academy Conference on the social and emotional components of learning disabilities — a perspective that continues to inform her work with students and families. Kelly is the proud mother of three adult sons and shares life with her wildly dyslexic husband, a perspective that deeply informs her professional mission.
​
Beth Mares
Founding Partner
Beth is one of the founding partners of TAP Learning Services. She is a Fellow with the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Georgia and a M.Ed. in Teaching Reading from Mercer University.
As one of the founding partners of TAP Learning Services, Beth provides Orton-Gillingham tutoring to students, guidance to parents, and Orton-Gillingham training and mentorship to tutors and public and private school teachers. In addition to the Orton-Gillingham Academy, she is also a member of the International Dyslexia Association.
Beth has provided in-person and virtual training in the Orton-Gillingham Academy Classroom Educator course and Associate course. She has also provided training in morphology, grammar, and interpreting psycho-educational assessments. Beth and her husband have three adult children and one daughter-in-law.
​
Josie Calamari
Trainer
Josie Calamari is a local in Atlanta, GA, and has been in the field of learning disabilities for 20 years. She has a BA in History and an M.Ed. in Reading Instruction from the University of Georgia. Josie is a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy and has served on the International Dyslexia Association, Georgia Branch’s Board of Directors.
She has worked with dyslexic students of all ages as a classroom teacher, independent tutor, and teacher trainer. In addition to her work with students, Josie has worked with parents to understand a child’s psychological testing and appropriate school or classroom environments. Ultimately, she believes that as practitioners, we offer hope to students searching for understanding and assurance to teachers searching for solutions.
Kris Bracy
Multisensory Math Specialist | Practitioner
B.S. Accounting | M.Ed. Special Education
Kris brings a unique blend of analytical precision and specialized instructional training to her work with students. With a background in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Special Education, she has supported learners since 2017 in building foundational skills, closing learning gaps, and developing academic confidence.
Trained in Orton-Gillingham and Multisensory Math approaches, Kris provides structured, individualized instruction tailored to each student’s learning profile. She specializes in math remediation and homework support for elementary and middle school mathematics, including Algebra I and Geometry, while also supporting reading and writing development as needed.
Kris is committed to meeting students where they are — reducing frustration, building clarity, and helping learners approach challenging material with confidence and resilience.
Lisa Dorsett
Literacy Specialist
B.A. Elementary Education, Clemson University | Orton Gillingham & LMB-Trained
Lisa is a dedicated literacy specialist with a degree in Elementary Education from Clemson University and eight years of experience teaching 4th and 5th grade in DeKalb County Schools. Her classroom experience built a strong foundation in differentiated instruction and supporting diverse learners.
After stepping away from the classroom to raise her children, Lisa discovered Montessori education and served for seven years as an Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher. It was there that she developed a deep passion for helping students with reading challenges unlock their potential.
Lisa specializes in explicit, systematic literacy instruction designed to build strong foundational skills and lasting confidence. In addition to her Orton-Gillingham training, she holds a Gifted Certification and has completed Lindamood-Bell Visualization & Verbalization training. She currently works with students at TAP Learning Services and Oak Grove Elementary School, providing small-group and targeted literacy support.
Kimberly Head Amos
Orton Gillingham Practitioner | Structured Literacy
B.A. Political Science, Southern Methodist University | M.P.P., Georgia State University
Orton-Gillingham Associate-Level Training, The Schenck School
Kimberly Head Amos has served as an Orton-Gillingham practitioner with TAP since completing her associate-level training at The Schenck School in 2019. She brings both professional and personal insight to her work, having supported her own child with dysgraphia through structured literacy intervention.
With academic training in political science and public policy, and a professional background in nonprofit and school fundraising, Kimberly approaches tutoring with organization, precision, and a deep appreciation for language. She specializes in structured, systematic instruction designed to build clarity, confidence, and skill in reading and writing.
Kimberly lives in Decatur with her husband and two teenage daughters and has a particular love for grammar, history, and the intricacies of the English language.
Sarah Wise
Orton-Gillingham Practitioner | Literacy Specialist
B.S. Early Childhood Education, University of Georgia | OGA Associate | Clinical-Level OGA Training in Progress (2026)
Sarah Wise is an Orton-Gillingham practitioner with classroom experience spanning Pre-K, Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 5th grade in both public and private school settings. While teaching in DeKalb County, she earned Gifted and ESOL endorsements and developed a strong foundation in differentiated, evidence-based instruction.
Her path to structured literacy began as a parent. After witnessing the impact of Orton-Gillingham intervention for her own child with dyslexia and ADHD, she pursued formal training and began working one-on-one with students. That lived experience continues to shape her compassionate, structured approach with families.
Sarah is completing her Master of Arts in Reading Science at Mount St. Joseph University (May 2026) and has completed additional structured literacy training through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction. She also serves as a literacy leader with REAP, supporting teachers in evidence-based reading practices. She is committed to helping students build strong foundations, confidence, and independence as readers.
Cindy Stemple
Orton-Gillingham Practitioner
M.Ed., Georgia State University | OGA Associate Member
Cindy brings both personal and professional commitment to her work as an Orton-Gillingham practitioner. After supporting her own child with dyslexia, she pursued formal training and now works primarily with emerging readers who benefit from structured, systematic literacy instruction.
With a Master’s degree in Education from Georgia State University and a background in science-based study, Cindy completed her Orton-Gillingham training through ReadSource at The Schenck School and is a certified Associate Member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She provides explicit, multisensory instruction focused on phonemic awareness, foundational decoding, and early fluency development.
Cindy is passionate about partnering with families to build steady, confidence-growing progress for young learners. Outside of tutoring, she enjoys cooking, running, and spending time with her husband and two nearly grown daughters.
Amy Garcia
Orton-Gillingham Practitioner | Early Literacy Specialist
OGA Associate | Clinical-Level OGA Training in Progress
Amy Garcia has been with TAP since earning her Associate certification with the Orton-Gillingham Academy in 2024 and is currently completing her Clinical-Level training. She serves as a first grade teacher at Intown Community School, where she leads the K–2 Reading Intervention program.
Amy holds a Master’s degree in Reading, Language, and Literacy from Georgia State University and brings over a decade of classroom experience, including five years in DeKalb County. Her expertise in early literacy instruction and intervention informs her structured, multisensory approach to working with young learners.
After supporting her own son through learning differences, Amy felt called to help other children on a similar journey. She is passionate about strengthening foundational reading skills and building lasting confidence in emerging readers.
