About the Author

LuAnn Santillo is the creator of Half-Pint Readers and founder of Half-Pint Kids, Inc. She has recently retired after 38 years of teaching at Riverside Beaver County School District where she taught kindergarten students and pre-k students. LuAnn earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Edinboro University. She completed her graduate work in the master’s program at the University of Pittsburgh, studying Early Childhood Education. In addition, LuAnn received intensive teacher training from the Orton-Gillingham Institute for Multi-Sensory Education and is certified to teach struggling or dyslexic readers using the Orton-Gillingham approach.

Teaching has always been her passion. As a kindergarten teacher, LuAnn saw the important role that preschools play in a child’s development. In 1977, she became the owner and director of the Chippewa Early Learning Center and opened the first preschool in North Sewickley Township, the Riverside Early Learning Center. These centers are still in operation today under new ownership. Because of her achievements in education and dedication to her students, LuAnn was chosen as a finalist in 2006 for the Teacher Excellence Award in Western Pennsylvania.

LuAnn resides in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania with her husband, Raymond Santillo, a retired Elementary Principal. They have four grown children, three son-in-laws and three adorable grandsons and two precious granddaughters.