Our Team
Ryan Groft
Founder/Director
Ryan's passion to help students with literacy began in 2004, when he started his first year teaching. While working with a 4th grade student, who, despite possessing excellent vocabulary, math skills and problem-solving skills, couldn’t seem to recall letters or basic words. This very capable student was overwhelmed with the basic foundations of reading.
Our understanding of dyslexia in 2004 was not as advanced as it is today. Working to find the most effective interventions for this individual, Ryan researched reading curriculums and began working with the student one-on-one. The interventions worked--the student made great strides in phonemic awareness—and Ryan watched his confidence grow.
Ryan earned his Masters in Education with a degree in School Psychology in 2007. He has worked with students, teachers, and parents in assessing for learning disabilities and tailoring educational interventions and support for students for the last 17 years. Prior to founding the Reading Excellence Center, Ryan trained future School Psychologists in the graduate school program at Fresno Pacific University. These experiences provided Ryan the opportunity to work alongside amazing teachers, administrators, and psychologists who increased his knowledge of reading disabilities.
In 2023, he began providing reading intervention privately to students and wanted to make a larger impact and founded the Reading Excellence Center (REC). REC works with elementary schools providing quality reading instruction/intervention, as well as providing individual reading intervention to students after school.
Ryan enjoys working with all ages of students. He's passionate about watching younger children get excited as they learn new reading concepts and grasp previously frustrating and difficult concepts, and coming alongside older students (7-12 grade) to overcome their fear and difficulties with reading.
Sarah Melton
Reading Excellence Center Staff Professional Development Coach/Reading Interventionist
In her nineteen years as a California educator, Sarah Melton has had the privilege to work with both students and teachers in diverse educational settings. She has worked as a classroom teacher, reading intervention specialist, district content specialist and mentor for new teachers. For her undergraduate program, teaching credential and M.A., she attended both California State University, Fresno and Fresno Pacific University. As a classroom teacher, Sarah’s goal was to implement engaging, research-based literacy programs which supported student reading success. One of her core values is that her classroom should make students feel at home and welcomed. In her current role, Sarah strives to inspire her love of literacy, learning and student engagement with the next generation of educators.
She is excited to be a part of Reading Excellence Center providing ongoing support and coaching of our Reading Interventionists and students!
Rhianna Gutierrez
Behaviorist
Rhianna, with 15 years as a behavior Intervention Specialist/Consultant, supports students from preschool to highschool, addressing diverse academic, social, and behavioral challenges. Her experience spans specialized learning centers, community day schools, in-home ABA, and reading recovery programs. She advocates for positive learning environments and top-notch educational resources to promote student success.
At the Reading Excellence Center, she works to find what motivates students and uses positive reinforcement strategies to push kids to the next level. Rhianna is available to all Reading Excellence Center families to help create a way to maximize reading intervention time and continue growth!
With one of our school partners, Aspen Public Schools, Rhianna has been working to develop behavioral interventions to allow students who struggle with reading, encouraging motivation and pushing them forward in their reading progress.
Isabel Renteria
Reading Interventionist
Isabel Renteria was born and raised in Visalia, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching credential from Fresno State University. For over two decades, she taught first grade, including a combined first-second grade class for 4 years, followed by 3 years of second grade with the Visalia Unified School District/Oak Grove Elementary School.
Her love of reading, experience, and training has been the base of the reading success of her students. She creates a learning environment that fosters confidence, develops skills, and imparts strategies in phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency.
She is currently in her first year of retirement. She considers teaching to have been her true calling, a passion that has been deep in her heart since childhood.
The saying "If you do what you love, you won't work a day in your life" perfectly encapsulates her experience as an educator.
Even before becoming a teacher, she was immersed in the world of education - first as an active parent volunteer and PTA member, then as a teacher's aide for 11 years. Growing up in a large family of 12, she’s been surrounded by children for as long as she can remember.
In addition to her love of teaching, she is also deeply passionate about world cultures, which has inspired her to travel to many countries. Photography and collecting children's books are two of her other cherished hobbies.
She looks forward to the opportunity to work with you and your child!
Emily Pennington
Reading Interventionist
Emily has worked with children for many years. She began her career working with children and nutrition at UC CalFresh and various afterschool programs. She then earned her teaching credential and began teaching English Language Arts down south to a diverse classrooms with various reading needs. Emily grew up in the Central Valley and has returned to Kingsburg. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading a good book, spending time outdoors, and going for walks. Emily has a gift in working with students and is excited to work at the Reading Excellence Center!
Cheri Penner
Reading Interventionist
Cheri is a lifelong resident of Reedley. She grew up on a farm and has a strong love of animals! Cheri received her degrees from California State University, Fresno, and National University in Interdisciplinary Studies which prepared her to teach at General Grant Middle School in Reedley .
Abby Hicks
Reading Interventionist
Hi! My name is Abby and I am about to finish my bachelors in Education at California State University, Fresno and pursing my elementary teaching credential. I have worked in classrooms as a lead paraprofessional and love helping kids with reading challenges. I have come to appreciate the Barton method of teaching Reading Excellence Center uses. I look forward to working with your child soon!
McKenzie Kiefer
Reading Interventionist
McKenzie is both a dedicated tutor, and will soon be a elementary school teacher! She has extensive experience working with children that have learning disabilities (as well as students with Autism and ADHD). Having participated in student counseling groups focused on emotional regulation and behavior management, she knows how to foster a supportive and nurturing environment for students of all ages.
Currently she is pursuing a degree in elementary education, driven by a passion for helping young learners thrive. Her approach to teaching combines professionalism with a fun-loving spirit, ensuring that students not only achieve academic success but also enjoy the learning process.
Outside of reading intervention and attending school, McKenzie loves to explore the outdoors, whether it’s fishing, hiking, or swimming. She enjoys traveling and loves to cook and bake as well.
Abigail Sharon
Reading Interventionist
Hi, my name is Abigail, and I love doing virtual tutoring!
Support Team
Kaitlyn Casteneda: Accounts Payable/Staff Human Resources kaitlyn@valleyrec.org
Kurt Jost: technical/virtual support, kurt@valleyrec.org
Alex Maciel: Bilingual Reading Intervention/Spanish Interpreter alex.valleyrec@gmail.com
Kelley Wellman: Client Scheduling Coordinator kelley.valleyrec@gmail.com