The teachers at Bridges are some of the most qualified and caring teachers specializing in teaching reading and writing. Unlike many other tutoring companies that hire tutors whose experience is outside the education field, we only employ teachers who have a teaching credential issued by the California Department of Education and at least 4 years of teaching experience. All of our teachers also hold a single subject teaching credential in English. However, the ability to teach and care for students is a gift. In addition to being experienced and certified teachers, each teacher has also been blessed with this gift of teaching and a genuine care for students. With this balance, we give uncompromising, top-quality instruction to students to help them reach their academic potential and gain a strong sense of self-confidence. In addition, at Bridges, your child will always have the same teacher. Each of our students will be assigned only one teacher who will consistently work with them until they finish their program. This will ensure that the teacher gets to know your child on a very personal level and will know how to best teach your child. In a recent customer survey, all of the families at Bridges strongly believed that Bridges is doing an excellent job teaching reading and writing, and the assigned instructor demonstrates genuine concern for the student.

We also conduct a comprehensive background check of each of our teachers including a reference check, employment verification, credential verification and a criminal records search along with our interviewing process.

Our Teachers

Jeanne K. Wu is co-founder and the Vice President of Education. She handles the training of teachers and the development of the curriculum. Jeanne attended the University of California at Berkeley where she received her Bachelor's degree in English Literature and cultivated her deep love for literature and composition. At Berkeley, she began her teaching career as an assistant teacher and workshop leader for the Freshman College Writing Program and Bridge Program. From there, Jeanne went on to two different high school teaching positions, in Beijing, China and Pittsburg, California. After receiving her teaching credential with honors at the University of California, Irvine, she began teaching for the Santa Clara Unified School District. She continues to refine her teaching methods, curriculum and assessment development as the head tutor for Bridges, thus making her one of the most sought after tutors in Orange County. In all her experiences with teaching, Jeanne has had to teach students from all walks of life, coming from various countries, socio-economic and educational backgrounds. She has learned to adapt her reading and writing curriculum to meet the needs of her students and has been mentored by some of the most well-respected and experienced teachers in California. She is accustomed to creating lesson plans that adhere to the content standards outlined by the state and continues to hone her skills as a teacher through tutoring and professional development. She was born and raised in Irvine, California and understands the pressures and lifestyle of the children who go to school here in Orange County.

Allison Valla joined Bridges in June 2008 and has been a teacher for over 6 years.  She holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential issued by the California Department of Education.  Prior to joining Bridges Reading & Writing Institute, Allison was a 3rd grade teacher in the Paramount Unified School District.  She has also taught within the Laguna Beach Unified School District, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, and Fountain Valley School District.  Allison has also worked with Project Success, an after school program sponsored by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Allison believes that every child learns differently and her ability to help students find their own unique and perfect path to excellence fuels her love for teaching. 

Melissa Kitterman specializes in helping students in the pre-kindergarten through fourth grade cultivate a genuine love of reading and writing.  She has thirteen years experience in Early Childhood and Elementary Education including six years as an elementary school teacher in the Garden Grove Unified School District.  Melissa received a Bachelor of Arts from the California State University of Fullerton and earned her Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and CLAD (Crosscultural, Language & Academic Development) certificate issued by the California Department of Education.  In her off hours, and, for the past three years, Melissa also spends time as a Title I tutor for the Orange County Department of Education helping students covered under social services or the probation system, and living in group homes, shelters, and drug rehabilitation facilities.  Recently, two of her students’ poems were selected to be included in the annual publication of Inkwell, a collaboration of writings by students receiving services under Title I.  Finally, Melissa is writing her first children’s book which will be illustrated by her husband.  Melissa has two sons.