Our Story
The Literacy Corner was founded by Dana Haynes, a linguist and educator passionate about helping children unlock the joy of reading. With a top degree in Linguistics from Simon Fraser University and over 20 years teaching experience, Dana’s deep understanding of language and the Orton-Gillingham approach shapes everything we do.
A Life-Changing Discovery
Dana’s journey took a pivotal turn when her stepson learned to read in just 10 days, thanks to two hours of daily tutoring. The approach his tutor used—a blend of linguistics, multisensory engagement, and structured practice—was strikingly familiar to Dana. Inspired, Dana dove deeper into these techniques.
When she began applying them, the results were immediate and astonishing: children who had struggled for years advanced by leaps and bounds, sometimes in mere weeks. This ignited Dana’s passion to make this transformative instruction widely available, especially for families seeking affordable options.
Building The Literacy Corner
Determined to help more children, Dana founded The Literacy Corner, assembling a team of dedicated tutors skilled in one-on-one support and passionate about connecting with learners.
Starting with in-person sessions, the program quickly expanded online to meet growing demand. Dana’s innovation ensured that virtual tutoring remained engaging and hands-on, delivering powerful results from anywhere.
When the pandemic hit, The Literacy Corner was already delivering online tutoring, allowing for a smooth transition for families. Parents were amazed at how much their children enjoyed and benefited from the sessions, reinforcing Dana’s commitment to quality and adaptability.
Our Mission Moving Forward
As CEO, Dana is dedicated to making high-quality, affordable tutoring available to every child, fostering confident, independent readers. Her vision is to empower children to succeed so fully that one day, her job will be done.
Meet the Team
The Literacy Corner is more than just one person—it’s a passionate, skilled team dedicated to helping every child shine. Get to know the educators and tutors who make our mission possible
Roanna Khun
Product Manager
Roanna has 14 years of experience in one-on-one tutoring and homeschooling, with a strong background in administration. Starting as a tutor at The Literacy Corner, she now oversees client consultations, tutor recruitment, and daily operations, ensuring that every family finds the right support.
Shanice Shmyr
Tech Support Liaison & Resource Developer, Tutor
Shanice keeps our virtual classrooms running smoothly by connecting clients, tutors, and tech support whenever issues arise. As Resource Developer, she designs creative games and learning tools for our digital programs—and brings these same fun activities into her own tutoring sessions with students at The Literacy Corner.
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Candace Stark
Accounts Manager
Candace first connected with The Literacy Corner as a parent, after seeing her daughter’s remarkable progress. Now, as Accounts Manager, she oversees our financial operations and keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Brigette McIlmoyle
Administrative Assistant
Brigette supports our Client Services Manager by keeping our tutoring schedule organized and up to date. Her love of organization and passion for helping students with learning differences make her an essential part of our team and helps keep everything running smoothly for families.
Lisa Bewley
Assessor
Lisa is a BC-certified public school teacher with 24 years of experience. She started as a tutor at The Literacy Corner and now focuses on assessments, helping students feel comfortable as she evaluates their literacy skills and recommends the best tutoring plan. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Education, a Master’s in Education, a TESL certificate, and is also a certified life coach.
Karen Pearson
Assessor & Tutor
Karen has been a dedicated tutor with The Literacy Corner for many years and now also serves as one of our assessors. With experience as a social worker, respite caregiver for children with disabilities, and educational assistant, Karen brings compassion and insight to every assessment and tutoring session. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a Minor in History from the University of Victoria.
Kennedy Stevens
Administration Support
Kennedy has been part of The Literacy Corner team since her high school days, assisting with everything from onboarding new tutors to sending birthday emails to students. She brings positive, youthful energy to our office and helps keep our community connected.