Michelle Vallene is a National Board Certified Teacher (the highest, advanced certification that a teacher can achieve), with a specialty in literacy. She lives in Redmond, Washington, with her husband and three children. She has been in the teaching field for over 20 years. When she took time off to raise her children, she started a successful education company, Learners Lane, which specializes in enrichment learning programs, as well as offering dynamic educational products. During this time, she worked to develop an unparalleled reading curriculum that she started teaching out of her home to groups of young children. The classes became so successful that she hired additional teachers to help her with the growing demand. The classes then moved out of her home and into local community centers where they still continue to help young children get a jump-start in learning to read. Michelle is the author of "What Children Need to Learn to READ - The complete parent's guide to ensuring literacy, a love of reading, and school readiness - Birth through the early grades edition" (Learners Lane Publishing, 2010). She and her daughter, Briana, also recorded a music CD with all the rhymes and songs that are in the book. In addition to being a teacher, author, and public speaker in the field of education, Michelle is also on the Board of Directors for Thrive by Five/Foundation for Early Learning along with other Board members, Bill Gates, Sr. and Jackie Bezos, just to name a few. They strive to provide the best foundation for children and families in the state of Washington.Photo Copyright Photographer Name: David Randallwww.LearnersLane.comCheck out her YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/LearnersLaneBecome a fan on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Learners-Lane/116020068425096?ref=sgmFollow her on Twitter:http://twitter.com/LearnersLane