About our Founder
Our founder Samantha Semlitz brings over 15 years of experience in diverse educational settings, including public, private and charter schools, from kindergarten through college. She has worked in inclusive classrooms, integrated co-teaching environments, self-contained programs, and specialized settings supporting twice-exceptional learners.
Samantha was the founder and led the learning support department at an independent private school in New York City. What began as providing services for a few students grew into a comprehensive program supporting more than 70 students and staffed by 9 learning specialists. This leadership role involved building systems, training and supervising staff, collaborating with administrators, teachers and families, and ensuring that academic rigor and student support developed together.
Throughout her career, Samantha has worked with students across a broad spectrum of learning profiles - students who are gifted, have intellectual disabilities, are on the autism spectrum, and have various learning differences, such as dyslexia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges. She has supported students with assistive technology and academic accommodations.
This breadth of experience has provided Samantha with a profound understanding of how different schools function, and how students with a wide range of needs are supported (or not) within them. She has seen first-hand how overwhelming it can be when a child is struggling academically, socially or emotionally. Families often receive recommendations and evaluations from teachers and providers, but are left stressed and wondering how to implement them. That is where ThriveWise Educational Services can help.
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NYS Certified Childhood Education & Childhood Special Education
MST (2013): Childhood Special Education & Childhood Elementary Education (Fordham University)
BS (2011): Major Psychology, Minor Education, Certificate in Developmental Disabilities and Human Services (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)
Wilson Reading System Level 1 - Wilson Reading
Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist - CERI
Dyslexia Coach - Efficient Coach
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Highlights of over 15 years of training
Structured Literacy and Math
Orton Gillingham Intermediate Training - IMSE
Preventing Academic Failure
Project Read: Phonics, Linguistics, Framing Your Thoughts, and Report Form
Secret Stories
Wilson Reading System Level 1
Visualizing and Verbalizing
Teaching Basic Writing Skills/Hochman/Writing Revolution
Multisensory Math I & 2 with Marilyn Zecher
Meeting the Needs of Children
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
Collaborative & Proactive Solutions
Mindful Schools: Fundamentals, Curriculum Training, and Difficult Emotions
Meeting the Needs of Twice Exceptional Children
Sensory Needs in the Classroom
Assistive Technology in the Classroom
Assessments
Dyslexia Screening Course - Dyslexia Training Institute
NWEA Essentials Reports and MAP Administration
Carious Normed Educational Assessments
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Everyone Reading - Elevating Every Learner: Strategies for 2e Success, 2026
Breakthroughs in Twice Exceptional Education - Writing: Why is it so Hard?, 2022
Knowledgehook Roundtable, 2021
2e W&M - Approaches and resources for Engaging Students with Learning Disabilities During Remote/Hybrid Learning, 2021
Remote K-12 - Approaches and Resources for Engaging Students with Learning Disabilities During Remote/Hybrid Learning, 2021
Tutoring in Schools, Umass Amherst - Tutoring ‘in’ Schools, 2021
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Samantha is Dyslexic and is an example of how early intervention and the right support system can help you thrive.
In her spare time, Samantha is a multimedia artist. You can view her work on Instagram @certifiabledoodler.
She has also published a children’s picture book, Through Coda’s Eyes, and Color me Gemetrix, an adult coloring book.
