Our Team
Chrissy Faccas
For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about becoming an educator and making a difference in children’s lives. After graduating college with honors, I entered the education field, where I have proudly worked for the past nine years. I am Wilson certified and have spent the past two years working with students in structured literacy, phonemic awareness, and writing. In addition, I hold a New Jersey K–8 Mathematics Certificate, allowing me to support students across a variety of academic areas.
I work to create a fun, engaging, and safe learning environment where students feel supported and excited to learn—because when students feel comfortable, they can make the progress we want to see. I am thrilled to continue working with students through Anchor Literacy and Learning, helping them grow in confidence, develop their skills, and achieve their goals. Watching each student make strides—whether big or small—is the reason why we do what we do!
I am an experienced educator with over 20 years of teaching in a variety of educational settings. I hold both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Teaching, along with New Jersey certifications as a Teacher of the Handicapped (K–12) and as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant.
Early in my career, I was trained in Project Read and Linguistics, which sparked my interest in dyslexia and Structured Literacy. Wanting to deepen my knowledge, I pursued training in the Wilson Reading System, earning Level 1 Certification. I have been using Wilson with students ever since and continue to expand my expertise through Fundations Level 1 Certification, 30 hours of training with IMSE’s Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Plus program, and ongoing training toward Wilson Level 2 Certification.
Teaching has always been a personal passion. Growing up with a brother who had special needs gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges that come with learning differences. Since beginning my career in 1994, I have worked in a variety of roles including in-class support, pull-out replacement, and self-contained classrooms, teaching reading, writing, math, and science. After 15 years of classroom teaching, I earned my Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant certification, which allows me to assess learning profiles, identify strengths and needs, and create individualized learning plans.
As a dyslexia practitioner, I work one-on-one with students to strengthen their literacy skills, build confidence, and help them develop a love of learning. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a student’s face light up when a new concept finally clicks.
Ann Gradman
For more than 25 years, I have dedicated my career to helping students unlock their potential as confident, capable readers. Since 2010, my focus has been on teaching reading to students with dyslexia, using structured literacy approaches that are evidence-based and highly effective. In addition to a Master’s Degree in Reading and Learning Disabilities from NYU, I am a certified Wilson Reading System instructor and have spent the past 14 years guiding students through the program with patience, skill, and a deep understanding of how each child learns best.
In addition to my classroom work, I recently helped launch a school designed specifically for students with dyslexia and ADHD, creating an environment where their strengths are celebrated, and their challenges are met with proven strategies. Now, through my work at Anchor, I am expanding this mission to serve more families by offering evaluations, personalized tutoring, and resources that empower both students and parents.
I believe every child can learn to read and thrive academically when given the right tools, guidance, and encouragement. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where students build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Dawn Pakrul