Laurie J. Cousseau
Great Barrington
Summary
Accomplished education professional with over 35 years of experience dedicated to advancing literacy and ensuring equitable access for all students. Demonstrated success in collaborating with school districts nationwide and delivering internationally recognized training programs. Expertise in providing impactful professional development, particularly in Orton-Gillingham methodologies, while excelling in stakeholder engagement and project leadership. Committed to enhancing client relationships and organizational development through a balanced approach to the inclusion of evidence-based practice and impactful application of strategies resulting in a sustainable literacy-based program.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant and Trainer
The Southport CoLAB
Southport
06.2014 - Current
- Deliver professional development workshops and customized Orton-Gillingham training for district-wide implementation to support the needs of diverse learners.
- Enhanced educational programs through professional consultation and innovative curriculum design.
Owner and Executive Director
Green River Literacy and Learning Center
Great Barrington
- GRLLC is a A Community based Reading Clinic committed to supporting and enhancing the lives of individuals with dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities.
- Deliver customized OG trainings at all levels including Classroom Educator, Associate, Certified and supporting Fellows-in-Training
- Conduct literacy audits, mentoring, and consultation around literacy programming, evidence-based curriculum, assessment, and the development of phased initiatives.
- Deliver tailored Professional Development sessions focusing on the Science of Reading to district clients.
- Provide Record Reviews and Language-Based Evaluations
- Authored three Scholastic Books focused on phonics
Adjunct Faculty
Baypath University
Longmeadow
06.2018 - 06.2020
- Provided OG Associate Level coursework and Practicum Supervision in a Reading and Graduate Level Degree Program
Guest Faculty Member
The Reading Institute
Williamstown
06.2014 - 05.2018
- TRI is a non-profit teacher training center focused upon the Science of Reading
- Provided Associate Level OG Training and Practicum Supervision
Director of The Language Training Institute
The Kildonan School
Amenia
06.2012 - 05.2017
- Fellow of Record for the school and summer camp
- Supervised and mentored accredited teachers providing OG remediation
- Provided Associate and Certified OG Level Training and practicum supervision
- Developed Professional Development Workshop and Seminar Series
Reading Specialist
The Long Trail School
Dorset
09.2007 - 06.2012
- Instituted regional Associate Level OG training
- Provided remediation and academic support services
- Case managed students with an IEP or 504
Associate Director of Teacher Training
The Key School at Carolina Day School
Asheville
06.2002 - 05.2007
- Established in 1997 to support students with learning disabilities and dyslexia
- Provided group-based OG remediation
- Supported teachers through personalized coaching and structured in-service programs.
- Provided graduate level coursework and practicum supervision at the Associate and Certified levels
- Directed "The Tutoring Connection," a community-based resource
Reading Specialist
Brevard Academy, a public charter school
Brevard
09.1999 - 05.2002
- Provided OG-based remediation to students with identified language-based disabilities
- Provided evaluations based upon referral of "Care Team"
- Designed and implemented a K-5 Spelling Program to augment core literacy Tier I programming
Executive Director
Transylvania Literacy Council
Brevard
08.1999 - 08.2000
- A community-based non-profit that offered confidential and free reading support to county residents
- Successfully managed the program with volunteer recruitment, training efforts, and consistent grant-based funding.
Lead Instructor
Blue Ridge Community College
Brevard
08.1996 - 08.1998
- Taught Life Skills courses to adults identified by Social Services and Schenck Job Corps
- Provided individualized curricular instruction, lesson plans and record management for students pursuing and Adult High School diploma
Educator
Shelburne Farms
Shelburne
06.1989 - 08.1993
- Nonprofit educational entity focusing on natural resource stewardship.
- Led K-6 educational field trips
Career Services Resource Librarian
Amherst College Republicans
Amherst
- Managed resource library, part of five college consortium
- Coordinated career workshops and internship program
Education
Accredited Training Fellow -
The Orton Gillingham Academy
Amenia, NY04-2009
Certified - Language Arts K-12
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC06-2005
Master of Arts - Concentration in Clinical Reading
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC05-2005
Certified Dyslexia Therapist -
International Dyslexia Association
Certified Academic Language Therapist -
Academic Therapy Language Association, ALTA
01-2014
Skills
- Project leadership
- Training and development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Analysis & evaluation
- Organizational development
- Team leadership & development
- Verbal and written communication
- Client relationships
- Public speaking
- Team collaboration
Accomplishments
- Awarded the Uberto Price Memorial Scholarship for Academic Excellence, 2004
Guiding quote and inspiration
"We must try as best as we are able to give our children words that will shape their minds so that they can make those miraculous leaps of imagination...in the living of this life that will reveal the little truths.”
Katherine Paterson, The Gates of Excellence
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Adjunct Faculty
Baypath University
06.2018 - 06.2020
Consultant and Trainer
The Southport CoLAB
06.2014 - Current
Guest Faculty Member
The Reading Institute
06.2014 - 05.2018
Director of The Language Training Institute
The Kildonan School
06.2012 - 05.2017
Reading Specialist
The Long Trail School
09.2007 - 06.2012
Associate Director of Teacher Training
The Key School at Carolina Day School
06.2002 - 05.2007
Reading Specialist
Brevard Academy, a public charter school
09.1999 - 05.2002
Executive Director
Transylvania Literacy Council
08.1999 - 08.2000
Lead Instructor
Blue Ridge Community College
08.1996 - 08.1998
Educator
Shelburne Farms
06.1989 - 08.1993
Owner and Executive Director
Green River Literacy and Learning Center
Career Services Resource Librarian
Amherst College Republicans
Accredited Training Fellow -
The Orton Gillingham Academy
Certified - Language Arts K-12
Western Carolina University
Master of Arts - Concentration in Clinical Reading
Appalachian State University
Certified Dyslexia Therapist -
International Dyslexia Association
Certified Academic Language Therapist -
Academic Therapy Language Association, ALTA
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