Our Team
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Sarah Melland
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
INSTRUCTOR
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Julia Jackley
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
INSTRUCTOR
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Leslie Jenson
INSTRUCTOR
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Heather Ransom
INSTRUCTOR
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Jack Fulwiler
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
INSTRUCTOR
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Donna Bishop
INSTRUCTOR
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Beth Peckham
INSTRUCTOR
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Judy Wadley
INSTRUCTOR
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Marquie Arnold
INSTRUCTOR
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Allison Newton
GUEST INSTRUCTOR
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Alex Warren
GUEST INSTRUCTOR
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Allison Scheubrein
SEASONAL INSTRUCTOR
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Maggie Sullivan
SEASONAL INSTRUCTOR
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Maria Doser
SEASONAL INSTRUCTOR
Sarah Melland, M.A.T
Licensed Educator, Certified Dyslexia Practitioner, Structured Literacy Consultant
Founder and Director, Reading and Writing Instructor
Sarah began her career in education after receiving her M.A.T. from Lewis and Clark College in 2009. Since then, Sarah has worked in an independent school, two charter schools and a larger district school. She has experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist and instructional coach. Sarah has extensive education and experience in providing foundational literacy skills through intensive intervention. She is expected to complete her Dyslexia Therapist Certification by Fall 2025.
Julia Jackley, MA
Writing Instructor
Administrative Director
Julia Jackley received her Masters Degree from Simon Fraser University in 2012. She is a recognized, published research author whose teaching experience includes preschool and collegiate level courses. Julia has extensive professional development in teaching writing curriculum.
Leslie Jenson, M.A. Curriculum and Instruction
Licensed Educator
Reading Instructor
Leslie is a licensed educator with over 15 years of classroom teaching experience and 4 years as a dyslexia instructor prior to joining Forge Education. She has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, an endorsement in Early Childhood Education, along with a strong background in recognizing and understanding dyslexia. Leslie's training includes Orton Gillingham techniques by the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education. Her passion and advocacy for supporting children to “break the alphabetic code” on their road to becoming successful readers and writers is what drives her teaching.
Heather Ransom, M.A.T.
Licensed Educator
Reading Instructor
Heather Ransom received her Master’s in Teaching in 2010. As the parent of a child with dyslexia, Heather is familiar with the academic challenges that students may face. She also knows the incredible impact that structured literacy can provide and the success that students can experience. Heather has a strong background in providing multi-sensory, intensive intervention for students with dyslexia and language based learning differences. Prior to joining Forge Education, Heather worked for 2 years as a literacy instructor specializing in dyslexia.
Jack Fulwiler, BA Writing
Writing Instructor
Curriculum Development
Jack graduated with honors from Johns Hopkins University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in both creative writing and English. He has worked as a freelance copywriter for entrepreneurs and as a sports journalist. A former college baseball player, Jack has extensive experience working with kids as a coach at youth camps and clinics. He also has experience tutoring high school and college students in writing. Jack intends to teach high school and college level writing courses, and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in writing.
Donna Bishop, M. Ed.
Licensed Educator
Reading Instructor
Donna is a licensed educator with over 25 years of classroom teaching experience, ten of which include working as a reading specialist. In 2009, she received her Masters of Education in reading along with an endorsement in literacy. She has considerable experience in providing intervention for students needing structured literacy support. Donna is excited to not only help students strengthen their skills in reading, but to also help them gain confidence in seeing themselves as lifelong readers.
Beth Peckham, M.S., CCC-SLP
Licensed SLP
Reading Instructor
Beth is a licensed speech-language pathologist with over five years of experience supporting children with speech, language, and literacy disorders. She received her MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Pacific University and a BA in Elementary Education with a reading endorsement from Pacific Lutheran University. Beth has worked in private practice, clinical, and school settings, providing services for students from early childhood through adolescence. She has completed Orton-Gillingham training through the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education and is a skilled educator. Beth is passionate about helping each learner build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
Judy Wadley, M.A. Sped.
Licensed Educator
Reading Instructor
Judy is an experienced educator with a strong background in both general and special education, having taught in elementary classrooms in California and Oregon. A graduate of Cal Poly, she earned her Master’s in Special Education, holds a literacy endorsement and an Orton Gillingham certification. Judy specializes in developing and implementing IEPs, delivering targeted reading interventions using evidence-based practices, and fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments. She is committed to student growth, collaboration with families, and culturally responsive teaching. At Forge, Judy’s mission is to make a positive impact in each child's journey by building confidence, closing learning gaps, and fostering independence.
Marquie Arnold, M.A.T
Licensed Educator
Reading Instructor
Marquie is a licensed educator with twenty years of experience in elementary classrooms. She received her Master’s of Art in Teaching from George Fox in 2006 and holds a Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Plus Certification from the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education. Throughout her teaching career, Marquie has also been an adjunct professor in the MAT program at Concordia University and a private tutor for PreK-5th grade students. She finds great joy and fulfillment in seeing her students grasp new concepts, overcome challenges and, most importantly, have fun!
Allison Scheubrein, M. Ed.
Licensed Educator
Writing Instructor
Allison began her career in education in 2008 after receiving her M. Ed. from the University of Oregon. Allison has worked in three different middle schools around Oregon, teaching 7th and 8th grade Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies classes. She currently teaches at a middle school in the Tigard-Tualatin School District.
Alex Warren, MAT
Guest Instructor
Alex received her Master’s of Arts in Teaching from George Fox in 2011 and spent six years at the University as an adjunct professor, teaching courses in the Foundations of Elementary Literacy and Literacy Pedagogy. She has extensive classroom experience, including some time at Stafford Primary, where she was Sarah’s teaching teammate. Alex taught in the classroom for 10 years before taking time off to be home with her young children. She is looking forward to sharing her love of literacy with the kids at Forge!
Allison Newton, M.A.T.
Licensed Educator
Reading Instructor
Allison's passion for education began while working in a preschool shortly after graduating from the University of Oregon in 2007. She went on to earn her Master’s in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College in 2010, which set the stage for a diverse career in education. Currently an Instructional Literacy Specialist in the Lake Oswego School District, Allison has over a decade of experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and instructional coach in several large school districts across the Portland Metro Area. She is particularly skilled in supporting struggling readers using evidence-based literacy instruction to help build confidence and proficiency. At Forge Education, Allison continues to merge her love of teaching with her specially honed skill set to provide a warm, rewarding and successful experience for all students.
Maria Doser, M. Ed.
Licensed Educator
Reading and Writing Instructor
Maria Doser is a licensed educator with 4 years of classroom teaching experience and 2 years as a dyslexia instructor. She has a Masters of Education and extensive training using multi-sensory, evidence-based learning strategies to support students with language-based learning disabilities. Maria is well versed in providing differentiated instruction to meet her students’ specific needs.
Maggie Sullivan, BA Education
Licensed Educator
Reading Instructor
With a degree in education and six years of classroom teaching experience, Maggie is dedicated to supporting literacy development for all students. She is a licensed teacher, LETRS certified and completed a 2 year Structured Literacy course. Maggie specializes in delivering evidence-based reading intervention strategies tailored to the needs of struggling readers; including those with Dyslexia. Through a combination of classroom experience and focused literacy training, Maggie is passionate about helping each student build a strong foundation in reading.