Advocate Program

Molly grew up in a military family experiencing a wide array of school systems from inner city public busing schools, Department of Defense schools, and private boarding schools.   Graduating with a BS in Finance from Virginia Tech, Molly went on to continue her travels living in 5 states/countries before settling in Park City in 2007 where she lives with her husband, two kids, a dog, a cat, and two rabbits.   Her children, one of whom is dyslexic, attend private schools.   Molly’s passion to keep learning and help her children do the same has led to forays as a ski instructor, bike mechanic, nordic ranger, kids soccer coach, board member of Friends of the Library, and a certified dyslexic advocate.   She is passionate about offering guidance and sharing what she has learned with others as they navigate through the resources, accommodations, and action plans available for those with learning differences.

Elissa Aten is Co-Founder and Executive Director of PC READS. She is also a Certified Dyslexia Advocate and assists families with developing action plans to ensure that their children receive the support and resources necessary to succeed in school. She and her husband have lived in Park City for 10 years and have two children, one of whom is dyslexic. Elissa is a strong proponent of public education and previously served as a Park City Education Foundation (PCEF) Board Member. Her involvement with PCEF included volunteering as Fundraising Chair for Running with Ed, a 38-mile annual relay race held in Park City. Originally from upstate New York, Elissa graduated from Dartmouth College and then spent two years teaching middle school math in Baltimore, MD with Teach for America. After teaching, she received her J.D. from Boston College Law School, practiced law in Boston and later worked as an Associate Director of Career Services at Boston College Law School. Elissa enjoys being an active Dartmouth alumna and is currently serving on her Class Executive Committee. Elissa and Elliott spend most of the winter weekends on the ski slopes, either watching their children ski race or looking for hidden powder stashes.

A native of Alberta, Canada Stacey move to Utah in 1991 to work as a pediatric nurse at Primary Children’s Hospital and enjoy the Utah powder. Stacey has been a nurse at PCH since 1991 and currently works as a clinical education instructor.  She also is a substitute nurse in the Park City school district Stacey lives with her husband and 12-year-old daughter who was identified as dyslexic in second grade. Stacey has been involved with PC READS since 2014 as and is excited to help families navigate the system as a certified dyslexia advocate.

I have been lucky to call Park City my home, since 2004. I am originally from the San Diego area, but like many…came to Park City for spring break in 2004, & realized that this is where we wanted to be, so after being a Californian all of my life, we made the move here that summer. My husband and I both work at Parley’s Park Elementary. I have spent 12 years helping struggling readers to be more successful…first at Jeremy Ranch Elementary, & just this year, making the move to Parley’s. It was a former Reading Specialist who inspired me to learn more about dyslexia, & to go on to get my Wilson Reading Certification from the University of Utah Reading Clinic. I tutor privately after school hours, & just recently earned my Dyslexia Advocate Certificate, thanks to a grant from PC Reads. I have also been trained in the Barton Reading program. My passion is helping families through the maze that is often associated with dyslexia, & in turn, to make sure that their children receive the proper instruction & accommodations that will make them more confident, & more successful. I am proud to have this opportunity to advocate through PC Reads.

Christine Tiranno is the Program Manager of our Advocate Program. She became a Certified Dyslexia Advocate is 2017 and has assisted many families with developing action plans to ensure their children receive the support and resources necessary to succeed in school. Christine, her husband and two children, one of whom is dyslexic moved to Park City in 2014. Originally from a suburb of New York City, Christine graduated from Lehigh University with a BA in Economics and International Relations. A Madison Avenue veteran, she spent nearly 20 years as a national television buyer working with numerous Fortune 500 companies including AT&T, Dell, 3M and MetLife at WPP’s GroupM. Christine enjoys working with children and has taught alpine skiing to kids for ten years, both in Vermont and most recently at Park City. Her passion for kids and sport is evident as she can frequently be seen in the stands at local high school lacrosse and football games.