Kimberly McCotter
Owner, Program Director
Owner and private reading instructor Kimberly McCotter has been working with individuals of all ages struggling with dyslexia and other learning disabilities for 12 years. She has a passion for education and believes that every person has the ability to overcome his or her academic struggles. She opened Turning Leaf Literacy Center in July 2005 and has been serving on the Alaska Branch of the International Dyslexia Association since 2008.
Kimberly has a fantastic husband and two wonderful boys who all play an important role at Turning Leaf. Her hobbies (other than work) include baking, exercise, and spending time with her family. Her passion for helping others find success is the foundation for Turning Leaf Literacy Center.
(907) 373- 2888
Denisha Christiansen
Instructor and Clinical Manager
Denisha was born and raised in Alaska. She has been a key member and trainer at Turning Leaf for one year. In her dynamic experiences as a swim instructor and childcare provider, she came to the realization that the important training and connection with students allowed her to make a huge impact on their lives. In her spare time, she loves taking walks and bike rides with her loveable dogs; she also enjoys the side-work of being a photographer.
Kaitlynn Miller
Instructor and Supervisor
Kaitlynn was born in Texas but has lived all over the world. She moved to Alaska in 2013, and now considers it her home. She has known from a very young age that she wanted to be a teacher. She recently graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from UAS. Kaitlynn has a passion for the families and the many students at Turning Leaf. She has been supporting Turning Leaf families, staff development, and equipping students for academic success for over 3 years! When she is not diligently working, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family!
Elizabeth France
Instructor and Clinical Manager
Elizabeth was born in Nevada but raised in Alaska. She is a part-time student at the University of Alaska – Anchorage. Since starting her work at Turning Leaf Literacy Center, Elizabeth has developed a new found passion for speech and language development. She loves working with children and watching them master new concepts. When she is not studying or working Elizabeth enjoys: reading fantasy novels, painting, and hanging out with her two rambunctious Pomeranians.
Kristin Winsor
Instructor
Kristin moved to Alaska in 2013 from her home state of Vermont where her love of working with children has grown exponentially. Her hands-on experience as a teacher’s aide as well as a figure skating coach has led her to realize how important it is for children to feel confident in themselves and their learning capabilities. As a clinician at Turning Leaf, she hopes to continue to share her love of learning with others. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, figure skating, and going on walks with her fiancé and puppy.
Kristin Willberg
Instructor
Kristin Willberg moved to Alaska in the fall of 2020 from northern Minnesota. After earning a B.S. in Elementary and Middle School Education at the University of North Dakota, she taught for twenty-five years. Kristin’s education experience includes working as a substitute, teaching junior high language arts and social studies, tutoring, coaching extracurricular speech, and advising numerous activities. Kristin enjoys reading, crafting, watching hockey, and fishing. She lives in Wasilla with her husband, three daughters and two golden retrievers.
Eulalie Ainsworth
Instructor
Eulalie started teaching at Fairhill Christian School in Fairbanks, Alaska, but spent most of her career in a one-room school house in North Pole, Alaska. She earned her master’s in educational leadership at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. For the past 10 years, Eulalie has worked as a private tutor for an international business couple, teaching their daughter and traveling the world with them as needed. Eulalie is a thrice published author, with one educational work on how to teach writing and two Christian works on the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Kelly Kendall
Instructor
Kelly has enjoyed teaching children over the last 30 years as a homeschool mom, co-op director, school substitute teacher, preschool teacher, children’s ministry director, and youth leader. She enjoys spending time with her best friend (who happens to be her husband of 33 years), studying the Bible, hiking, playing guitar, and dabbling with water color painting. One day Kelly hopes to have grandchildren to help teach and spend time with.
Maddee Severson
Clinician
Maddee is a born and raised Alaskan who grew up in the beautiful area of Palmer. Although she loves traveling to other states, she finds Alaska the most beautiful. Maddee has a strong desire to help kids and families achieve confidence and growth through their personal learning journey. Her love and passion for what she does at Turning Leaf brings her such joy. When Maddee is not at Turning Leaf, she enjoys spending time with family and exercising.
Brooklyn Keller
Instructor
Brooklyn is a current student at the University of Alaska pursuing her degree in biology. She always feels fulfilled when she is working with students. When Brooklyn is not working with her many students she enjoys reading, hiking, paddle boarding, and crocheting. Brooklyn hopes to help kids discover that reading is not just something to learn because of expectations, but a tool to transport them into the wonderful stories they are reading and the opportunities that come with learning.
Elise Hietala
Clinician
Elise is a lifelong Alaskan who was homeschooled for the majority of her schooling career. She is a current college student working to achieve many degrees in higher education. When she is not working with students at Turning Leaf, she loves painting, sculpting, and all things made of clay. She is also currently writing a book and loves animals. Elise is passionate about helping kids gain confidence in their own abilities and watching them achieve their fullest potential.