Director of Instruction

Michelle Szabo, M.S.Ed., Director of Instruction, directs the instruction program for the Stern Center’s staff of 20+ teachers who instruct 400 students each year. She brings more than 30 years of teaching experience to her supervisory role ensuring program efficacy for all students, while continuing to offer individualized and customized instruction both in-person and online to students. In addition to her instruction and management roles, Michelle serves as a collaborative consultant working with families and schools to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). As part of the collaborative consultation model, Michelle is a Professional Learning provider for the Stern Center, leading teacher workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics, including multi-sensory structured literacy intervention, executive functioning, written expression and reading comprehension/critical thinking. Michelle earned her Orton-Gillingham Associate Level certification, as well as Level I Certificate as a Wilson Reading Program Provider, and is certified through Lindamood-Bell® as a LiPS® provider for students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Human Services from Vermont State University (formerly Lyndon State College) as well as a Master of Science in Education from Simmons College, where she focused on the needs of students with specific learning disabilities. Michelle taught language arts and reading at a private high school for students with language-based learning disabilities prior to joining the Stern Center. When she is not directing instructional programs, Michelle enjoys amateur photography, reading science fiction, playing card and board games with friends and family and, most importantly, supporting her family near and far.