About Education Mavericks
Hi, my name is Ellen O’Brien. I am the co-founder and CEO of Education Mavericks.
After facing the pain of not knowing how to help my child read and write, I set out to learn how. I was delighted to find a community of people who had oriented themselves to the science of reading and were able to help me learn how to apply it. Eighteen years and four children later, three of whom are dyslexic, I can say that it changed my life and my children’s lives.
My learning curve wasn’t just about my child’s dyslexia. I was left wondering, “How is it that I went to university with the intention of teaching children to read and write, but didn’t know what to do?” Perhaps you are there too — you know a child or a group of children who are struggling to read and write, and you don’t know what to do.
Not knowing, and yet believing you ought to know is a situation that sucks the joy out of parenting and out of teaching.
Education Mavericks exists to enlarge educator joy by equipping them to skillfully apply structured literacy principles with their students and to courageously develop their practice. We train educators for work with elementary, secondary, post secondary, and multilingual students.
We exist to serve parents and their children by assessing literacy needs and uniquely applying the science of reading so their children build pathways for incremental and transformative growth. We provide tutors who are growing in their practice of structured literacy and bring delight and joy to each session.
We provide services that create pathways of learning through the Orton-Gillingham Therapeutic approach, structured literacy strategies, educational consultancy, and customized workshops.
No matter whether you are an educator or a parent, we want to joyfully create pathways for learning with you and your students!
Connect with us today.
Meet the Team.
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Co-Founder and CEO
Ellen O’Brien brings a wealth of experience and deep personal convictions to Education Mavericks. As a co-founder with her husband, Craig, she believes that learners grow best when accompanied by joy and delight. Learners are being asked to do hard things. While there may be tears, there can also be trust-fuelled curiosity and perseverance so that each student creates pathways for learning.
Ellen is an Accredited Training Fellow (ATF) of the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA)—a respected distinction recognizing her advanced competence in literacy instruction of educators. She has expertise in assessing their literacy needs and supporting students with dyslexia and other language-based challenges.
Ellen holds a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education (Social Studies & Spanish) from the University of Georgia and a Master of Divinity in Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a seasoned communicator and has led community groups in Vancouver and online.
As well Ellen has extensive experience in training and mentoring educators in the Orton-Gillingham approach. While at Fraser Academy for 16 years, Ellen has trained educators in both the public and independent school systems and has coached them for work with older and younger students.
Ellen’s dream for Education Mavericks is to impact education and transform the lives of students in Canada and around the globe by building a community that trains educators in structured literacy strategies for the classroom and for one-on-one tutoring.
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Co-Founder, OperationsAs co-founder of EMI - Education Mavericks Inc., Craig partners with his wife, Ellen, to advance a shared vision of joyful, highly skilled, responsive educators making a difference in student’s lives.
Craig currently serves as a pastor with Origin Church in Vancouver.
Craig has a BA in Speech Communications from the University of Georgia, a Masters of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Gateway Seminary.
Craig is a father to four children, three with dyslexia. This personal journey fuels his dedication to EMI’s mission: joyfully creating pathways of learning for both educators and students. His experience as a parent navigating dyslexia firsthand has given him insight into the needs and concerns of families—especially those seeking effective educational strategies for language-based learning differences.
Craig is in awe of educators skillfully applying structured literacy and affectionately says, “They are doing brain surgery!”
Our mission is to joyfully create pathways for learning through the skillful application of the science of reading.
“Never underestimate the accumulative effect of small steps taken in the right direction.”
— Ellen, Co-Founder of Education Mavericks
