The Bilgrav School Faculty
Pam Weldon – Structured Literacy Director/Tutor
Pam Weldon has earned a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential from California State University, Los Angeles, an M.A. in Elementary Education, and an M.S. in the Science of Reading (K-12+). She has a long, distinguished service record to her students and schools in Westchester, NY, where she trained in Orton-Gillingham at the Windward Teacher Training Institute (PAF). Pam received further OG training from the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE), Wilson Reading Systems, Gesell Institute of Child Development (Yale New Haven), University of Oregon (DIBELS), and Slingerland Literacy Institute. After studying research-based practices and developmental stages of handwriting, she earned her certification in the analysis of children’s handwriting. She is CERI / IDA certified as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist and Dyslexia Advocate credentialed by the Dyslexia Training Institute in San Diego. She currently holds a Professional Teaching License in the Science of Reading for the State of Florida.
Heather Coryer – Teacher/Tutor
Heather Coryer joins The Bilgrav School as a faculty member with a B.S. in Human Ecology and Child Development from The Ohio State University and an M.S. in Teaching Early Childhood Education from The University of Charleston.
Heather has more than 20 years of educational experience as a teacher and tutor of elementary and middle school students. Before joining Bilgrav, she served as a teacher at The Cottage School in Roswell, Georgia, for students with learning differences.
Heather is certified in the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching literacy skills to students with learning differences. She is also certified in TouchMath, a multi-sensory approach to teaching math to dyslexic learners.
Elissa Gonzalez – Teacher/Tutor & Admissions Representative
Ms. Elissa Gonzalez is a committed elementary educator with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She is currently working on her Master’s in Education at Western Governor’s University. She was trained by the Orton-Gillingham Academy in reading instruction for students with language-based learning differences in 2025, with her practicum to follow in 2026.
Elissa cultivates a supportive and dynamic classroom environment that fosters social, emotional, and academic growth. She champions experiential learning and uses innovative teaching strategies to ignite curiosity and a love of learning in her students.
Carla Huertas – Director of Operations
Carla graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a B.S. in Psychology. She also has an Associate of Science in Medical Sonography, specializing in Echocardiography and General Ultrasound, from Cambridge Medical Institute & Technology in Delray Beach, FL.
Carla oversees human resources, operations, and serves as the scholarship coordinator. She is available to help families and direct questions to the appropriate person.
Danielle Twist – Multisensory Math Teacher and Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist
Danielle Twist is The Bilgrav School’s Multisensory Math Teacher and Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Franciscan University of Steubenville and brings over 18 years of classroom and leadership experience across elementary and middle school grades.
She received specialized Multisensory Math Level 1 and 2 training from Marilyn Zecher, M.A., CALT, founder of the Multisensory Math Approach. Danielle integrates these research-based strategies into her daily teaching, using hands-on activities, structured routines, and data-driven supports.
Danielle is Orton-Gillingham Level 2 Certified through the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education and a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist through the Center of Effective Reading Instruction.
Dr. Diana Caris – Educational Assistant
Dr. Diana Caris joins The Bilgrav School with 22 years of educational experience. She has served as an Assistant Principal for Pre-K–5th grade students and provided instructional leadership to Palm Beach County teachers in multiple subject areas.
Dr. Caris holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Florida International University.
Dr. Leo Orsino (Dr. O) – Academic Dean/President
Dr. Leo Orsino was appointed by the school board to serve as President of The Bilgrav School in June 2023. During his nearly four decades in education, he has served as a teacher, professor, counselor, consultant, coach, mentor, administrator, Headmaster, Vice President, and President.
Leo earned his Ph.D. in education, counseling, psychology, and human resource management from The Ohio State University in 1984.
As a parent, grandparent, and leader, Leo is passionate about educating and equipping students to succeed in all areas of their learning.
Marcy Reed – Teacher/Tutor
Marcy Reed has a Master of Arts in English and is a certified Dyslexia Practitioner 1 through the International Multisensory Structured Language Educator Council (IMSLEC).
Marcy trained in dyslexia interventions to give other children the same advantage her dyslexic son received when he was tutored. She came to The Bilgrav School from Chicago, where she taught students ages 4–22, most recently in a private school for students with learning disabilities.
Julia Siegel – Afterschool Enrichment Coordinator
Julia graduated from The University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and a minor in Psychology in 2019. She also earned her Cambridge diploma and was in the top 10% of her class.
Julia has years of experience working with children as a camp counselor and dance teacher. Her duties include assisting during after-school activities, administrative support, and helping around the school as needed.
Kathleen Cashette – Academic Consultant
Katie was first trained in Orton-Gillingham by Orton Academy Fellow Diana Hanbury King in 1997. She taught and tutored at The Kildonan School in New York, one of America’s first OG-based schools for dyslexic students. She later earned a Master’s in Cognitive Science in Education from Columbia University Teachers College.
In 2007, she was founding faculty at Joyce Bilgrav’s third OG-based school, the Liberty School in Durango, CO. Katie continues to work with Bilgrav faculty and tutors as a consultant.
Hunter Patterson – Academic Consultant
Hunter brings more than 10 years of experience in dyslexic education. He was a founding teacher and board member at The Chandler School for dyslexic students in Greenville, SC, and a founding teacher, Co-Director, and current board member at The Bilgrav School.
Hunter serves as an Academic Consultant for faculty, tutors, and staff. He provides support in dyslexic teaching methodology, curriculum, classroom management, and teacher development.
