Bright Minds Tutoring offers tutoring in Wilmington, NC for all students and all ages in reading and writing. We also offer math tutoring for students in K-8th grade.

The company began because of one bright child with dyslexia who was struggling academically, and one parent who was searching for a solution. It was a frustrating search, with more questions than answers, and more misconceptions than facts. Through that search came a passionate desire to help other families who found themselves in a similar situation.

APRIL COGGINS

For over twelve years, April Coggins has been helping ‘out of the box’ learners achieve success in the classroom. She is a Dyslexia Specialist and has been trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach for both reading and math, as well as other evidence-based teaching methodologies. April has an MS in Special Education with a Specialization in Learning Disabilities and a BA in English. In 2019, April was featured in Forbes as Runner Up for Tutor of the Year. She stays abreast of the latest research and advancements in the field and shares her expansive personal knowledge base through the free resource library. April enjoys the challenge of uncovering each child’s unique strengths and gifts. She combines those strengths with evidence-based strategies to help a student overcome their limitations and reach their full potential. April has also authored two self-esteem journals for children with dyslexia.

TONI O’STEEN

Toni O’Steen is a graduate from Meredith College. There, she completed her education license as a Teaching Fellow and also graduated with a BA in English. She is trained in Orton-Gillingham and has years of experience teaching children of all ages. In addition to teaching reading, she also has experience working with students in math, science, writing, and literature. Her classroom is a safe place for all students to make mistakes, grow their confidence, and celebrate all the successes along their way to meeting their learning goals.

AUDREY MONTEITH

Audrey Monteith brings eight years of teaching experience with students from kindergarten through fifth grade. After retiring from a career in software development, she went on to earn a master’s degree in Elementary Education in addition to her bachelor’s degree in Physics. She is certified in Project Read, an Orton-Gillingham based, explicit, systematic, multi-sensory approach to teaching reading. Audrey helps students gain self-confidence and encourages students to reach their full potential through the development of strong reading and mathematical skills. She knows the importance that both sound educational foundations and encouragement play in academic success and reinforces them in her tutoring sessions. When not teaching Mrs. Monteith enjoys reading, gardening, and exploring all that Wilmington has to offer with her husband of 30 years and their dog Luna.

SUE SHEPARD

Sue’s educational career has spanned over 45 years with experience in both the general and special education classroom. She has an M. Ed. in Special Education from Marshall University and a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in English from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. Sue has received training in Language! and Wilson Reading, both multi-sensory, explicit programs based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. She is also certified to teach the visually impaired and blind. Sue believes all children can learn when given the right opportunity and is passionate about helping her students experience success.

MICHELLE LAVALLEE

Michelle grew up in Alexandria, Virginia with her parents and two brothers. She graduated from George Mason University in May 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Sport Management. She then moved to Wilmington to attend UNCW and graduated with a Master’s in Elementary Education in December 2017. Michelle is in her sixth year of teaching at a local elementary school. She is certified to teach grades Kindergarten through sixth grade. She is also trained in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRs) by Lexia Learning along with Wilson Language Training and Heggerty Phonological and Phonemic Awareness.

In her free time, Michelle loves watching sports (all the Washington teams – especially the Caps!), walking on the beach, going to kickboxing classes, traveling, and hanging out with her friends.

TYLER ROHRBACK

Tyler Rohrback is a graduate of UNCW’s Elementary Education program and has been a classroom teacher in grades 3-5 for the past six years. He is LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) trained, and has direct teaching experience with Wilson’s Fundations, an Orton-Gillingham based foundational reading and writing program currently used in many local classrooms. He brings plenty of experience in teaching math, science, writing, and social studies as well. Whether one on one, or leading a classroom of 20+ students, Tyler strives to make each learning experience safe, fun, and unique for to each individual while working through challenges and celebrating successes with his students.

TERRI CATRON

Terri Catron is a dedicated, creative, and goal-driven professional educator with over 16 years of classroom experience. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education and an MA in Early Elementary Education. Terri specializes in helping children in K-3 develop core competencies in reading and math. She is a resourceful and committed teacher, able to quickly assess a student’s needs and differentiate instruction as necessary. Terri is passionate about helping all children achieve success and believes that one-on-one tutoring allows her to better meet that goal.