About Us

What We Believe

Every child has the right to learn to read. The quality of reading instruction a child receives should never depend on what their family can afford. When we equip public school teachers with the right training and support, we expand access, close gaps, and change trajectories.

Our History

In 2019, The Orton-Gillingham Center of Charleston was founded to elevate the approach in the Lowcountry and make training more accessible to teachers and instruction more accessible to students. In 2024, the organization launched the Lowcountry Literacy Project. That name change reflected a bigger shift: from serving individual students to training the teachers who reach hundreds of them.

Lowcountry Literacy Project Timeline

2018

First OGA Training Cohort with Fellow, Sheila Costello (held at Charleston Day School)

2019

Became a 501 c 3 and set up training space in Mt Pleasant. Lindsey Ballenger and Renee McCaslin were founding board members. Catherine Hagberg became the first Director of The Orton-Gillingham Center of Charleston until Covid closed operations in 2020.

2021

Fellows, Susan Nyman and Catherine Hagberg founded Lowcountry Orton-Gillingham Training LLC and trained the first cohort of 7 teachers at James B Edwards Elementary School.

2022

Training expanded to Jennie Moore Elementary and St Andrew’s School of Math and Science

2024

The Orton-Gillingham Center of Charleston partnered with Jennie Moore to fund the remaining training through philanthropy, after ESSER funds were exhausted

2025

The Lowcountry Literacy Project officially launched and expanded into 2 title 2 schools

Our Values

Believe in Every Child. Believe in Every Teacher.

We believe 95% of children can learn to read, and every educator can grow with the right preparation and support.

Be Clear. Be Kind.

Kindness includes honest, direct, and respectful communication. We address issues early, communicate expectations clearly, and provide feedback that helps people succeed.

Seek to Understand

We ask questions before offering answers. We listen, stay curious, and seek to understand context before making assumptions.

Assume Positive Intent

We extend grace, build trust, and believe people are doing their best with what they know. We coach with empathy, not judgment.

Commit to Growth

Learning never stops. We continually strengthen our knowledge, refine our practice, and help others do the same.

Meet Our Team

Our team brings together Orton-Gillingham Academy trained professionals united by one belief: every child deserves the opportunity to learn to read. Together, we train, coach, mentor, and support educators across the Lowcountry, building lasting literacy expertise inside public schools.

Lindsey Ballenger

Executive Director
OGA Associate

Catherine Hagberg

Director of Training & Implementation
OGA Fellow

Susan Nyman

Trainer & School Coach
OGA Fellow

Tricia Caddell

School Coach
OGA Associate

Kristen Flynn

Multisensory Structured Literacy Coach
OGA Clinical

Jennie Garris

School Coach
OGA Fellow in Training

Danielle Geberth

School Coach
OGA Fellow in Training

Katie Reel

Parent Coach
OGA Associate

Learn More About
The Reading Reel

Stacy Rubin

School Coach
OGA Associate

Casey Welsh

Trainer & School Coach
OGA Fellow

Learn More About
Savannah Dyslexia

Julia Wood

Multisensory Structured Literacy Coach
OGA Clinical

Vicki White

Trainer & School Coach
OGA Fellow

We believe every student has the right to read.

Our Board

Our Board of Directors provides the governance, financial oversight, and strategic leadership that ensure the organization remains strong, accountable, and positioned for long-term impact.

Craig Ascue

Community Leader & Business Owner

Sean Coughlin, J.D.

Entrepreneur

Carter W. Dandridge

Brand Growth Consultant

W. Barnwell Holt

Retired, College of Charleston Foundation

Renee McCaslin, M.Ed, A/OGA

OG & Multisensory Math Practitioner

John Mattmuller

Treasurer
Controller, Spinx

Daniel Stern

Partner, Calloway Stern

Tony Tripeny

Chair
Retired, CFO of Corning, Inc.

Advisory Council

Our Advisory Council brings together educators, business leaders, philanthropists, and community advocates who open doors and help expand the reach of our mission.