Saraland Location
Julie Rentz
Founder and Executive Director, Mobile
Julie Rentz founded Read-Write The Learning Center in 2011. She has nearly 30 years of experience working with children with learning differences. Julie served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Alabama Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. Julie was named an “Unsung Hero” in the International Dyslexia Association’s “Honor a Teacher Campaign.” Additionally, she is the founder of the Mobile Bay group of the Alabama International Dyslexia Association. She is also a member of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET) and the Learning Disability Association. Julie has made presentations on dyslexia for local groups, including schools, professional organizations and the Bay Area Speech and Hearing Association.
Julie received a Master of Education degree from the University of South Alabama. Julie has also completed extensive additional graduate work in screening for dyslexia. She is a certified Barton Tutor and earned the designation of Dyslexia Consultant and Tester. She is trained in various Orton-Gillingham based programs for academic language therapy including handwriting, creative writing, and math. In addition, Julie received training from the Institute of Multisensory Language Education, AIM-Pathways to Proficient Reading and Writing, Neuhaus Multisensory Grammar, and Neuhaus Reading Readiness.
Julie has a passion for struggling students. Identifying why a student is struggling with certain areas of school and helping parents understand those struggles is her professional specialty. Julie is a member of Dauphin Way Methodist Church. She enjoys living in Mobile because the people are so friendly. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting her children and grandchildren, cooking, gardening, biking and boating.
McRae Dugger
Outreach Coordinator
McRae joined Read Write in February 2024. She has been teaching for numerous years in Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade. McRae attended the University of Alabama studying Early Childhood Development. She went on to receive her masters degree in Elementary Education from the University of Mobile. McRae loves working with children and she stated, “I love watching a student light up when a concept ‘clicks.’ The joy and how proud they are is priceless!” Aside from working at Read Write, McRae is involved in Outback America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast, Magic Moments, and St. Ignatius Church. In her spare time, she enjoys running and going to be beach with her family. McRae and her husband, Davis, have three children and a precious chocolate lab.
Genny Fain
Director
Genny Fain is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) and a Certified Orton-Gillingham Dyslexia Specialist who began her career with Read Write in 2016. She is also a board member of the International Dyslexia Association of Alabama (IDA). She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of South Alabama in 2010. Genny is a certified Class B Elementary, K-6 teacher and previously taught fourth grade at J. Larry Newton School. Genny achieved her certification as an Orton-Gillingham dyslexia specialist and is also certified through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction. Genny’s additional training includes being a Barton Reading and Spelling System Certified Tutor, Handwriting Without Tears, Neuhaus Reading Readiness, Neuhaus Multisensory Grammar, Neuhaus Advanced Multisensory Grammar, Neuhaus Developing Accuracy and Fluency, Foundations in Sounds, Phonics First and Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). Genny’s favorite thing about working at Read-Write is the warm and welcoming atmosphere that allows her to get to know each student individually. During her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little boys, Wallace and Wells.
Jennifer Herrington
Assistant Director & Academy Facilitator
Jennifer Herrington is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). She is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi where she received a dual degree in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (K-12). She holds a masters degree in Dyslexia Therapy from The University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to working at Read-Write, Jennifer served as a Special Education Teacher at Martin Bluff Elementary in Gautier, MS. Jennifer is a member of the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA). Her training includes Neuhaus Multisensory Grammar, Handwriting Without Tears, Neuhaus Reading Readiness, Brainspring’s Phonics First, Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and Barton Reading and Spelling System. Jennifer enjoys working one-on-one with her students. Seeing children who were once struggling become more confident is her favorite part about teaching at Read-Write. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside with her husband, Trent, and two sons, Brooks and Rivers.
Traci Smith
Traci began teaching at Read-Write Learning Center in 2022. She graduated from the University of Mobile with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She also received her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Mobile. Traci has 27 years of teaching experience. Traci has 27 years of teaching experience. She is currently employed at Saraland Early Education Center as a Reading Intervention teacher. Her training includes Barton Reading and Spelling System Tutor Training and Phonics First. Traci’s favorite thing about Read-Write is getting to know the friendly staff and knowing that she is playing a small part in a struggling student’s journey to become a better reader. She is very involved in her church in Saraland. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends. The beach is her favorite place to be. Traci and her husband have four children, Natalie, Madison, Colten and Karson, as well as two precious grandchildren, Carson and Tenley.
Lucy Williams
Lucy Williams began teaching at Read Write in 2013. Lucy previously worked as a first grade assistant teacher at St. Ignatius Catholic School. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina- Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and is pursuing a Master of Education in Elementary Education from the University of South Alabama. Her training includes Barton Reading and Spelling System Tutor Training, DuBard Association Method, Neuhaus Reading Readiness, Neuhaus Multisensory Grammar, Neuhaus Written Composition, Handwriting Without Tears, Phonics First, Institute for Excelling in Writing (IEW) and the Shelton School Study Skills course. Lucy is also certified through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction. Lucy is a member of the International Dyslexia Association. Her favorite thing about teaching at Read Write is working one-on-one with students to help them progress, improve, and become able to accomplish more in school.
Claire Denton
Claire began teaching at Read-Write Learning Center in 2023. Claire grew up in Mobile, AL, but attended college in Nashville, TN. She graduated from Belmont University in December 2022 with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. Her training includes Barton Reading and Spelling System Tutor Training and Phonics First. Her professional speciality is helping students to realize their abilities and potential in all areas. Claire’s favorite thing about Read Write is being able to provide individualized instruction to a variety of students at different locations. She also loves working with a dynamic team of educators who are passionate about teaching and helping students to become independent readers. In her spare time, she enjoys singing and playing the piano. She also loves living close to the water and going fishing and hunting with her family.
Donna Muscat
Donna began teaching at Read-Write the Learning Center in 2021. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Prior to joining Read Write, she taught preschool, kindergarten and third grade in Mobile, AL for twenty-seven years. She was a Nappie Award Finalist for Best Preschool Teacher in 2019. Her training includes Barton Reading and Spelling System Tutor Training, Neuhaus Reading Readiness, Phonics First and Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW).
Carolyn Neese
Carolyn joined Read Write in November 2023. Carolyn has over 20 years of teaching experience, through homeschooling her own children as well as teaching in the Mobile County Public School System. She is currently teaching Cyprus Grove Academy. Her degree is in History, and she is successful in making learning relative to life. Her training includes Barton Reading and Spelling System Tutor Training. Carolyn’s favorite thing about Read Write is spending time with children in a one setting and experiencing their love and eagerness for learning. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her 11 children and 12 grandchildren.
Medea Taylor
Medea began teaching at Read-Write Learning Center in 2022. She has a Master of Science, Speech Language Pathology and Bachelor of Science, Speech and Hearing degree from the University of South Alabama. She has over 20 years experience as a Speech Language Pathologist serving in a variety of locations. Her speciality is phonemic awareness and reading comprehension skills. Her training includes Barton Reading and Spelling System Tutor Training. Medea’s favorite thing about Read-Write is working with the students and watching them make progress toward their goals. She also enjoys working alongside so many talented teachers and instructors. In her free time, Medea loves to read, travel and participate in local theater. She has three sons and one grandson, and she can’t imagine living anywhere else than by the Gulf of Mexico.
