Reading Tutor Rx

Dr. Denise Simonelli holds a Bachelor of Science from Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy (1999) and a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy. Her journey into dyslexia education and intervention began when her own son was diagnosed with severe dyslexia, sparking a deep commitment to understanding language-based learning disorders and supporting students with diverse learning needs.

Driven by this personal experience, Dr. Simonelli pursued extensive dyslexia training, earning both Associate Level & Certified Level credentials from the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners. She has successfully provided one-on-one and small group instruction at both levels, helping students build essential literacy skills. Her dedication to ongoing education ensures she continuously expands her expertise, incorporating the latest research and strategies to support her students effectively.

Beyond her work in dyslexia intervention, Dr. Simonelli served as the director of a private school for three years and is now the founder of Reading Tutor Rx and Accelerate Academy. Through her leadership, she remains committed to creating individualized learning experiences that empower students to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

I believe every student can succeed when they are provided with the right support, patience, and guidance. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is witnessing that “aha!” moment when a concept finally makes sense and seeing how that understanding transforms into confidence.

As an educator, my goal is to create a positive, welcoming, and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and embracing challenges. I strive to make each lesson engaging, meaningful, and tailored to each learner’s unique needs while continuing my ongoing endeavor to make learning feel approachable, enjoyable, and easier to understand.

I provide one-on-one academic support for students from Pre-K through high school in areas including math, reading, writing, homework support, study skills, and test preparation. By taking the time to understand each student’s learning style, strengths, and areas for growth, I develop personalized strategies that help students strengthen their skills, improve academic performance, and become more independent learners.

To me, teaching is developing a mindset that will support them throughout their educational journey and beyond.

It is a privilege to work alongside students and their families, celebrating their progress and milestones along the way. I look forward to encouraging students through their academic challenges and helping them recognize their own potential.

When I’m not working with students, I enjoy exploring the outdoors through hikes with my husband and spending time with my rescue dog, Leia, who brings so much joy into my life.

Janice Lavezzo is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of teaching experience in both general and special education. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Molloy University in 2002 and went on to receive her Master of Science in Special Education in 2006. Passionate about leadership and education, she furthered her studies at Queens College, completing the Educational Administration Program in 2011. She spent the majority of her career teaching in the New York City Public Schools, where she worked with diverse student populations, ensuring individualized learning support for students with disabilities.

Beyond the classroom, Janice has a unique background in competitive figure skating. After years of competing, she shared her love for the sport by coaching skaters of all ages. In 2021, she and her husband, along with their two daughters, relocated from Long Island, NY, to North Carolina, where they have embraced their new home and community. Janice is excited to continue her passion for teaching, mentoring, and making a lasting impact on students at Reading Tutor Rx.

Laurel Davis is a special education educator with more than two decades of experience. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to student success, both through direct instruction and dedicated advocacy. She strives to inspire and motivate students, as well as foster significant growth in both academic performance and social development. Mrs. Davis is certified in the Orton-Gillingham method from the Association of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. Her academic credentials include a B.A. in Educational Psychology and studies toward a Master of Arts in Teaching. Additionally, she has certifications as a Registered Yoga Teacher and a Twist Kids Yoga instructor, alongside specialized training in Brain Gym and Handwriting Without Tears.

Driven by her perspective as both an educator and a parent, she views every child as a unique individual with distinct strengths and talents. Her creative and compassionate instructional style empowers students to build lasting confidence and achieve their personal milestones by celebrating every incremental step toward success.

My name is Theresa Dandona, and I have been working in education since 2005, shortly after moving to the Waxhaw area. Although I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business, I quickly discovered that my true passion lies in teaching young children. Over the years, I have gained multiple certifications in creative curriculum, handwriting, and preschool development. I have had the privilege of teaching students ranging from toddlers to third graders, and I honestly cannot imagine a life outside the classroom.

I have been happily married for 26 years, and my husband and I have three wonderful boys, ages 22, 19, and 12. Our family also includes a rescue dog and cat, and I am currently taking care of my college son’s gecko! We love exploring new places, but our favorite way to spend time together is enjoying the beautiful North Carolina mountains. I am excited to continue making a difference in the lives of young learners at Reading Tutor Rx!

Melissa Malarkey is a dedicated educator with more than 15 years of experience supporting students from diverse academic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University at Buffalo and completed graduate coursework in TESOL at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Melissa is a North Carolina certified teacher with extensive experience in English language development and individualized instruction.

Currently, Melissa serves as an ESL teacher with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where she works with middle and high school multilingual learners. She collaborates closely with classroom teachers in English Language Arts, Biology, and History, providing targeted instructional support, scaffolding complex content, and differentiating lessons to meet each student’s unique learning needs. She also administers state assessments, including ACCESS for ELLs, End-of-Course (EOC), benchmark, and other academic assessments.

Before returning to North Carolina, Melissa served in several leadership roles with The Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference in New York, where she coordinated diagnostic services and worked closely with families, school districts, mental health professionals, and child advocacy teams. This experience strengthened her passion for supporting the whole child and collaborating with families to help students reach their fullest potential.

Throughout her career, Melissa has worked as an ESL teacher, classroom teacher, tutor, substitute teacher, preschool educator, and family advocate. Her broad educational background allows her to build meaningful relationships with students while creating engaging, supportive learning environments where they can develop confidence and achieve academic success.

At Reading Tutor Rx, Melissa provides individualized tutoring for students who need support in:

• Reading comprehension
• English language development (ESL/Multilingual Learners)
• Vocabulary and language acquisition
• Writing and grammar
• Academic support across subject areas
• Homework assistance and study skills

Melissa believes every student can succeed when instruction is personalized, encouraging, and built around their individual strengths. She is passionate about helping students gain confidence, strengthen their communication skills, and become independent learners.

Marissa Fogarty is a dedicated educator with more than eight years of experience providing individualized instruction in both private education and classroom settings. She is passionate about creating engaging, encouraging learning environments where students feel confident, supported, and inspired to grow academically and personally.

Marissa has taught preschool, kindergarten, and elementary-aged students in both traditional classrooms and one-on-one educational settings. Her experience includes developing customized lesson plans, teaching multiple grade levels, adapting instruction to each student’s unique learning style, and building strong partnerships with families to support long-term success.

As a private educator, Marissa worked closely with homeschooling families, designing individualized curricula and managing instruction across multiple subjects and grade levels. This experience strengthened her ability to personalize learning, encourage student independence, and help children build confidence while mastering new skills. Most recently, she served as a Kindergarten and Preschool Teacher at Cornerstone Baptist School, where she created engaging lessons, tracked student progress, and fostered a nurturing classroom built on curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.

Marissa has experience with a variety of Christian-based curricula and enjoys adapting instruction to meet the individual strengths, interests, and needs of each student. She is known for her warm, patient teaching style, exceptional organization, and ability to make learning both meaningful and enjoyable.

At Reading Tutor Rx, Marissa provides individualized tutoring for students who need support in:

• Early literacy and foundational reading skills
• Reading comprehension
• Phonics and fluency
• Elementary math
• Writing and language arts
• Homeschool support
• Homework assistance and study skills

Marissa believes every child learns differently and thrives when instruction is personalized, encouraging, and engaging. She is committed to helping students develop strong academic skills while building the confidence and motivation they need to become lifelong learners.

My name is Avery, and I’m honored to be a teacher with Accelerate Academy.

I am passionate about helping each student grow into their full potential—both in their learning and in their lives. My goal is to empower students to take what they learn and apply it meaningfully, preparing them not just for bright futures, but also for success in the present.

I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business, Bible & Theology, and a minor in Intercultural Studies. My professional background includes three years in Digital Marketing, 13 months overseas as an International Business Intern, and valuable experience as a nanny for children of various ages.