FACULTY AND STAFF
Stellar Academy employs a diverse collection of education professionals, to teach strategies, discover and develop strengths, and foster success for children with dyslexia. Each teacher at Stellar Academy (and several of the support staff) has completed intensive postgraduate work in the Slingerland® approach.
HEATHER LEYVA
Head of School
Heather Leyva holds a BA in Humanities with a focus on Education from New College of California in San Francisco, along with an AA in Liberal Studies (Hons) from Vista College, Berkeley, and another AA in Early Childhood Education with a concentration on Administration in School Age Care from Ohlone College, Fremont. Upon joining the team, she completed the IDA & IMSLEC accredited Slingerland® Level 1 course to enhance her ability to support the Stellar staff and students. Ms. Leyva is dedicated to helping families not just survive, but thrive, and has conducted several workshop seminars covering various parenting topics. As the proud parent of a now-independent adult with dyslexia, her commitment to Stellar Academy is deeply personal, and she aspires to see the program expand so that every dyslexic child in the East Bay and beyond can reach their full educational potential.
ANNE ROBERTS
Teacher, , ELA, Mathematics
Anne has taught at Stellar Academy since 2006. Prior to Stellar, she taught at the California School for the Deaf for 14 years. Mrs. Roberts is fluent in American Sign Language. She holds a MA and a special education credential along with a California teaching credential, extensive IDA & IMSLEC accredited Slingerland® training, and utilizes Making Math Real® - based strategies and methods in her teaching.*
DR. MELINDA MAWSON
Teacher, ELA, Mathematics
Melinda holds a BA (Hons) from Monash University and a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis from the Australian National University. She has presented papers and been published in her field and has taught students from university level through to elementary classroom, individualized homeschooling and tutoring. When her own children struggled in school because of language processing disorders and ADHD, Melinda re-dedicated her own passion for education to becoming trained in the academic and social-emotional needs of intelligent children who learn differently. After completing IDA & IMSLEC accredited Slingerland® Multisensory Structured Language Teaching Level 1, Melinda joined the team at Stellar Academy in 2017. She has since completed Level 2 and the rigorous requirements for Slingerland certification! Over the past four years Melinda has completed nearly 300 hours of instruction in Making Math Real® to incorporate Making Math Real® based strategies and methods for primary grades through middle school.*
VALERIE HEALY
SCIENCE / ART
Valerie Healy holds a B.S. in Biology and is trained in the IMSLEC & IDA accredited Slingerland® Multisensory Structured Language Teaching Level 1. After experiencing the struggles of her own two dyslexic children, Valerie worked to support her own childrens’ learning styles. It was during her daughter’s final year at Stellar Academy that she joined the staff. Valerie has always been passionate about art from a young age, continues to create, and encourages others to gain a deeper understanding of art.
INGERT SVAERD
ADVANCED WRITING / READING,
MATHS, SOCIAL STUDIES
Ingert Svaerd holds a B.S. in Social and Economics Geography, a teaching credential from Sweden, and is trained in the IMSLEC & IDA accredited Slingerland® Multisensory Structured Language Teaching Level 1. After moving to the U.S., she homeschooled her children from elementary through high school. After they went to college, Ingert brought her passion for education and understanding of learning differently students to Stellar Academy. She is thrilled to expand her students' reading and writing abilities and provide a worldwide perspective and a bit of Swedish as well!
BRENDA HUCKABY
Office Manager
Brenda has over 19 years of experience in customer service. She enjoys connecting with people and providing assistance. With a strong affinity for numbers, Brenda also has experience in financial management. This position is her ideal job, as it combines her passion for customer service with her interest in finance and accounting.
If you're an educator dedicated to supporting dyslexic students, we may be the place for you. We value neurodiversity and aim to foster an inclusive environment that reduces stigma. If this aligns with your teaching philosophy, let's connect. Reach out to discuss potential collaboration and create a brighter future together.