About Us
Nicki Merry, M.Ed, C-SLCT, CALP
Optimize Learning was founded by a certified teacher who wanted to reach children beyond her classroom. She is passionate about helping children, teens, and adults be successful and develop a love of learning. Nicki grew up struggling to read and was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult. She has overcome her personal challenges with reading and is eager to help others who are facing similar struggles. She has spent years researching child development, language development, communication disorders, and learning differences. She is a certified Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher (C-SLCT) and a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP). She has taken over 300 hours of Orton-Gillingham coursework, passed certification exams, and completed a year-long practicum. Nicki continues to pursue advanced credentials in the field of Dyslexia Intervention. Through the Orton-Gillingham Academy, Nicki has a clinical supervisor who is an OGA Fellow. This partnership ensures that Nicki upholds the highest quality of instruction to her clients. Nicki is eager to share her expertise and help optimize the learning and the future of many more children, teens, and adults!
Certified Teacher
Kindergarten-8th Grade
Washington OSPI, 2017-present
Master's Degree
Elementary Education
Whitworth University, 2017
Bachelor's Degree
Speech, Hearing, & Communication Disorders
Eastern Washington University, 2016
Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher (SLCT) Certificate
International Dyslexia Association's (IDA) Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), Feb 2024
Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist (SLDI) Certificate
IDA's Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), To be completed October 2025
Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Plus Training and Fidelity Certificate
Institute for Multisensory Education (IMSE), April 2024
Morphology Plus Training Certificate
Institute for Multisensory Education (IMSE), July 2025
Multisensory Structured Language - The OG Approach
Certified at the Teaching Level
International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC), July 2025
Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) Certificate
Lexia Learning Company, August 2024
Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP)
Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA), October 2025
Orton-Gillingham Academy Certified
Subscriber Level, Dec 2023
Associate Level, August 2025
Certified Level, In Progress
INW Dyslexia Alliance
Preferred Provider
'Champions for Dyslexia' Member
ALTA Academic Language Therapy Association
Member since 2025
Decoding Dyslexia Washington
Member since 2023
International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
Member since 2023
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Member since 2023
National Tutor Association
Member since 2023
