All of the instructors at Reis Learning Center are professionals eager to help in whatever way will best serve our students. Click below to learn about the unique backgrounds of the people that make up our wonderful staff.

Jessica L. Reis, Director

Ms. Jess grew up in Queens, NY and moved to Sherman (where her parents still live today) when she was 12. Many things changed that year: her address, a transition into high school, and a new diet as a vegetarian.

After high school, Ms. Jess moved back to New York to attend college at Pace University to study Psychology. She knew early on that she wanted to help people that felt, perhaps, a bit lost or unheard who, with some support, could access a new positive perspective on themselves and their lives. She immersed herself in a combined degree program, earning both a BA in Psychology and MS in Mental Health Counseling in just 5 years.

While finishing up her secondary education, Ms. Jess began to work in CT schools as a behavior therapist to children with autism and learning challenges. She pursed education in this field and integrates her training and studies into the teaching done at RLC.

If you want to know more, Ms. Jess loves questions and would be happy to tell you more about her experiences thus far and her hopes for the future!

Mr. Mike

Mr. Mike was born in New Milford and has lived here his whole life. He graduated from New Milford High School in 2005 and continued his education at Western Connecticut State University.

He had always been passionate about mathematics, so he knew that a career as a math teacher would be a perfect fit for him. During his time at WCSU, Mr. Mike spent a year working as a student aide in two of the university’s mathematics classes. In 2011, he completed his student teaching placement at Torrington Middle School and graduated with a BS in Mathematics Education. Soon after, he received his state certification to teach mathematics in Connecticut.

Mr. Mike continued his education at WCSU and received his MA in Mathematics in 2014. Now he is very excited to be working with the many great students at Reis Learning Center. He hopes to help each of his students gain a solid mathematical background.

Ms. Lizz

Ms. Lizz grew up locally in New Milford and has taught in several school districts around the state. She has been teaching Kindergarten in New Milford Public Schools since 2021.

Ms. Lizz attended Manhattanville College where, aside from getting her bachelor’s in Elementary Education, she also worked as a Resident Advisor, helping her fellow students adapt to college life. While at Manhattanville, Ms. Lizz made several life-long friends and her love of New York City grew. She loves to go see Broadway plays and visit the Village and Little Italy. She  continued her education and graduated from Western Connecticut State University, completing her masters in Reading Education.

In her free time, Ms. Lizz loves to cook and bake. Her specialty is chocolate chip cookies and her arugula/orzo summer salad. During the summer she reads almost non-stop. Her favorite author is Stephen King. Ms. Lizz loves to travel and has been to Montreal, Venice, Italy, Puerto Rico, Niagara Falls, and the Dominican Republic. Her dream trip is a tour of Europe.

When Ms. Lizz married her best friend James, they traveled to Antigua for their honeymoon, adding another place to Miss Lizz’s travel log. They now live in New Milford and plan to keep exploring with their 3 young children.

Miss Nicole

Miss Nicole grew up one town over in Sherman, CT. At the age of seven, Nicole found a love for both American Sign Language and singing. She began to teach herself sign then took private lessons, which lead to formal courses at the age of 12. She completed ASL 1-3. Nicole’s love grew more and more as she dove into learning about the deaf culture.

Though she was a student of hearing, it was important to Miss Nicole that she submerge herself in the deaf culture. At the age of fourteen, she was accepted with a scholarship as the only hearing student that summer into the Performing Arts Program at Gallaudet University, the school for the deaf in Washington, D.C. This experience changed Miss Nicole’s world; she’ll never forget it.

Nicole attended Shepaug Valley High School, where she spent her days concentrating on music and the arts. For her senior project, she taught sign language. She then completed one year at Five Towns College as a Musical Theater major, with National Honors. She soon discovered opera and then transferred schools to Carnegie Mellon University. Miss Nicole graduated in 2010 with a BFA in voice performance, with university honors. While Miss Nicole was studying in Pittsburgh, she continued her passion for sign by volunteering for the summer program at the West Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

For the past decade, Miss Nicole has built a strong foundation of nannying full time in six different cities with clients ranging from newborn to teens, all while pursuing her arts. She has a passion for teaching and is currently available for private ASL lessons.