Our Staff and Board of Directors
Krista K. Gauthier - Founder, Executive Director/President
Krista became a passionate advocate for those who are neurodivergent when, as a parent of a child with dyslexia, she noticed that the access she was able to provide her daughter in both remediation and STEM enrichment was denied to so many. From that experience, Krista created this one of a kind program that provides reading intervention and STEM enrichment to students in the Washington, DC region. Her latest venture, The Leading Edge, works towards her ultimate goal of creating Kindergarten to Workforce pathways for those who are neurodivergent. Krista has over 15 years of experience in education, both as a teacher and as a researcher in educational theory and curriculum development as well as non-profit management. Krista is one of the founding members of National Security Neurodiversity Network with partners INSA, MITRE, Enabled Intelligence, and Social Grace.
Most recently, Krista was appointed to be the Executive Director of the IMSE Foundation. Read more here!
Jennifer Baker - Program Director
Jen Baker is delighted to join the Dyslexic Edge team as Program Director for its after school STEM partnership. She is from Elgin, Texas, where she began working with children as an afterschool learning center director after graduating from Southwest Texas State University.
Jen further pursued a career in education, earning her Master of Arts in Teaching from The Citadel School of Graduate Studies; she has previously taught high school Chemistry, Biology, and Algebra. Her experience in working with dyslexic students during that time in the classroom was invaluable and has prepared her for this new role; she’s eager to give back again in making those connections with our local youth!
Jen has spent the past several years volunteering and serving as an Air Force spouse alongside her husband, Blaine, while raising their daughters, Samantha (11) and Alexandra (8). Recently, she has been back in the classroom of her daughters’ elementary school as a substitute teacher.
Jen enjoys connecting and bringing people together, and has served on boards for multiple Air Force groups. She currently volunteers as Welfare Treasurer for the Air and Space Forces Spouses Club of DC. As part of the Dyslexic Edge team, Jen hopes to share and exemplify her personal educational motto, “connection before content” in developing relationships with students and staff. Jen is eager to learn from the team and, together, take the Dyslexic Edge mission to new heights!”
Carly Swanson - Reading Specialist
Carly joined the Dyslexic Edge family as a volunteer in the summer of 2018. She was drawn to the program because she is dyslexic and has ADHD. After she graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, she became a first grade teacher and Dyslexic Edge tutor. She has completed the Comprehensive Virtual IMSE Orton-Gillingham Training, IMSE’s Phonological Awareness Training, and Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) Training. Carly joined the Dyslexic Edge family as a volunteer in the summer of 2018. Now she is working on her Masters from George Mason University in Literacy Leadership for Diverse Schools: K-12 Reading Specialist Concentration. As a child, Carly struggled in school. With the help of teachers, tutors, and her wonderful parents she was able to develop coping strategies and use accommodations to be successful. Since the, she has been deeply interested in how people learn literacy skills and best practices for instruction. She has a passion for helping all dyslexics find success and grow to love their wonderful dyslexic brains.
Kim Amatucci - Master Tutor
Kim Amatucci joined Sliding Doors in 2017 and is currently the site manager of the after-school program at St. Bernadette Catholic School. Kim began her professional career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, specializing in neurological and orthopedic disorders. She became interested in the Sliding Doors program following the dyslexia diagnoses of her two older children. She understands the educational struggles of dyslexic students firsthand and trained to become a Sliding Doors tutor in order to help young children achieve their potential in an environment that welcomes their unique and diverse learning styles. Kim has a clientele list that focuses on early elementary school through middle school-aged children. Kim brings enthusiasm and compassion to every child she works with and sincerely believes in the importance of empowerment.
Barbara Dalmut - Secretary, Board Of Directors
Barbara comes from a family dedicated to education and community service. Her career in education spans 21 years. She taught elementary and middle school for 8 years and served as Principal of St. Ambrose Catholic School (Annandale, VA) and St. Bernadette Catholic School (Springfield, VA) for a combined 12 years. She was also an Adjunct Professor in the Catholic School Leadership Graduate Program at Marymount University in Arlington, VA for five years. Schools can be a vibrant places that shape young hearts and minds, but they can’t do everything for everyone. Families who are challenged with their children’s special learning needs deserve our support. She is proud to be a part of this innovative program. It is her hope that Sliding Doors will provide the opportunity for these brilliant young people to thrive.