Emily Solomon (Franks), M.Ed

Founder + Educational Therapist

Emily is the founder of Soleil Education Collective and an Educational Therapist specializing in literacy intervention and individualized support for students with diverse learning profiles. Her work is grounded in the Science of Reading and evidence-based instructional practices.

  • Literacy intervention, including reading and spelling; reading comprehension; written expression; elementary math; executive functioning; and individualized academic support

  • Autism, dyslexia, ADHD, learning disabilities, language-based learning differences, and other neurodivergent learning profiles

    • Education: B.A. in Elementary Education, Elon University; M.S. in Reading and Literacy, California State University, Fullerton

    • Credentials: Reading & Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential; Associate Educational Therapist through the Association of Educational Therapists

  • Former classroom teacher, Curriculum Division Head, and Lower School Division Head, with experience in public schools, private schools, and private practice

  • Individualized, data-informed, relationship-driven, and neurodivergent-affirming, with social-emotional safety as the foundation for building academic skills, confidence, and independence

Davinia Parton, Ed.S., NCSP

School Psychologist & Educational Specialist

Davinia is a credentialed school psychologist and educational specialist who supports children and adolescents with diverse learning, executive functioning, and academic needs. She brings a school psychology lens to her work, considering learning, development, behavior, psychological functioning, and the educational environment when designing individualized support.

Outside of work, Davinia is a devoted mother who loves planning new experiences with her son. She appreciates architecture, art, and interior design and especially enjoys spending time at the Getty. When she slows down, she is happiest with a delicious coffee and a fashion magazine, usually with her pup Rosie and cat Starbuck nearby.

  • Executive functioning, learning strategies, academic and behavioral intervention, written expression, progress monitoring, and strengths-based intervention design

  • ADHD, autism, specific learning disabilities, executive functioning challenges, and diverse learning profiles

    • Education: Ed.S. in School Psychology and M.A. in Educational Psychology, Loyola Marymount University; B.S. in Psychology with a Minor in Child Development, summa cum laude, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

    • Credentials: California Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology; Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)

  • School psychology and individualized educational support across preschool, elementary, and secondary settings, including schools, homes, and community-based environments

  • Warm, collaborative, strengths-based, and student-centered. Davinia looks beyond an immediate academic challenge to understand each student’s broader learning profile and select evidence-based strategies that build skills, confidence, and independence.

Alison Marie (Guydan)

Educational Therapist & Marriage & Family Therapist

Ali is an Educational Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who supports middle school students through adults with academic, executive functioning, and social-emotional needs.

Outside of work, Ali enjoys Pilates, cooking, and walking her dog.

  • Executive functioning, writing, academic planning, study skills, college applications and essays, parent coaching, and math through geometry

  • ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, twice-exceptional learners, and students experiencing school-related stress

    • Education: B.A. in Psychology, UC Berkeley; M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, USC; graduate-level coursework in Educational Therapy

    • Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Associate Educational Therapist, and coaching certifications

  • 11+ years in therapy and self-development; 7+ years in educational therapy

  • Approach: Individualized, person-centered, and solution-focused, with an emphasis on independence and self-advocacy

Sue Torf

Academic Tutor & Reading Specialist

Sue is a Reading Specialist with more than 25 years of experience in education, specializing in early literacy and intervention for kindergarten through fourth-grade students.

Outside of work, Sue enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling. She has also completed more than 50 marathons.

  • Early childhood and lower elementary literacy intervention, foundational reading skills, and support for struggling readers and students with dyslexia

  • Autism, dyslexia, ADHD, learning disabilities, language-based learning differences, and other neurodivergent learning profiles

    • Training & Programs: Wilson Reading System, IMSE Orton-Gillingham Plus, IMSE Dyslexia Overview, Montessori Early Childhood and Elementary Science of Reading

    • Credentials: American Montessori Society Associate Credential in Early Childhood, UCLA Early Childhood Certificate, and AMS Elementary Reading Certificate

    • Education: B.S. in Computer Science, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

  • 25+ years in education across private school and tutoring settings

  • Holistic and child-centered, meeting each learner where they are and building confidence alongside skills

Kristi Contreras

Educational Specialist

Kristi is a former special education teacher with more than 30 years of experience providing individualized academic intervention and learning support to students across K–12.

Outside of work, Kristi enjoys gardening, Sudoku, working out, and spending time with her family and dogs.

  • Individualized academic intervention, literacy, writing, math, executive functioning, and learning-plan development

  • Dyslexia, ADHD, learning disabilities, and executive functioning challenges

    • Training: Multiple structured literacy and multisensory reading programs, along with evidence-based writing and math intervention approaches

    • 30+ years in special education across elementary, middle, and high school settings

    • Special Education Background: Extensive experience developing individualized educational plans, implementing accommodations, and collaborating with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams

  • Personalized and strengths-based, with an emphasis on building academic skills, confidence, and independence

Anissa Bush

Academic Tutor

Anissa is an educator with more than 10 years of experience supporting elementary students in both public and private school settings.

Outside of work, Anissa enjoys traveling with her family, spending time with her dog, and seeing live music.

  • Executive functioning, ADHD support, reading, writing, and math

  • A wide range of learners, including students who benefit from individualized academic and executive functioning support

  • B.A. in Liberal Arts, California State University, Fullerton; M.A. in Education, Pacific Oaks College

  • 10+ years in education across public and private school settings

    • Approach: Warm, relationship-driven, and individualized to each student’s learning style

    • Focus: Creating a safe, trusting environment while building academic skills, confidence, and engagement

Mary Ann Avila

Educational Specialist

Mary Ann brings more than 40 years of experience in education, with extensive expertise in special education, literacy intervention, and supporting students with a wide range of learning profiles across K–12.

Outside of work, Mary Ann enjoys reading, traveling, water aerobics, and researching new ideas in education.

  • Literacy intervention, decoding, fluency, comprehension, written expression, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and functional elementary math

  • Dyslexia, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, gifted learners, and twice-exceptional students

    • Training & Programs: Wilson Reading System, Lindamood-Bell, and REWARDS Reading Program

    • Education: B.A. in Liberal Arts and M.S. in Education with an emphasis in Special Education, Mount St. Mary’s University

    • Credentials: Valid Single Subject English Credential and Education Specialist Credential – Mild/Moderate Disabilities

  • 40+ years across special day classes, inclusion, resource support, and general education settings

    High school English instruction through a university-affiliated academic enrichment program, as well as special education advocacy and expert witness work related to special education laws and procedures

  • Direct, multisensory, and individualized, with an emphasis on confidence, independence, self-advocacy, and practical skills

Join Our Team!

Coming Soon

We’re always seeking passionate, skilled professionals who align with our boutique, integrative approach to education and wellness. Please reach out if you’re interested in collaborating with us.