Amy Diaz devoted her career to appropriately educating students challenged by dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Since 1998, Mrs. Diaz worked at McGlannan School, a specialized, evidence-based school that utilizes a structured, multisensory approach to remediate academics adversely impacted by dyslexia and related language-based learning difficulties. She held many positions at McGlannan, including classroom reading and math teacher, reading clinician, Assistant Director of the Reading Clinic, Division Director of 3rd and 4th grades, and the Admissions Committee. Currently, Mrs. Diaz is the Director of Admissions where she carefully guides prospective families through the often-challenging process of diagnosis and appropriate school placement.

Mrs. Diaz has a passion for dyslexia awareness. She enjoys organizing and leading the Experience Dyslexia® - A Learning Disabilities Simulation workshop as a part of McGlannan School’s outreach program to educate the community about dyslexia. She also serves as a Board Director of the International Dyslexia Association Florida Branch. Her goal is to promote greater awareness of dyslexia and education in Florida and beyond. Mrs. Diaz received her B.S. in Special Education (with a focus on specific learning disabilities) and M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida International University in Miami.

"It brings me immense joy to see children placed in the best educational setting for their unique learning needs. This allows children to become more confident learners and achieve their fullest potential."

She lives in Palmetto Bay, Florida, with her husband and two sons, Brandon (age 9) and Tyler (age 6). In her spare time, she enjoys traveling to new places, being outdoors, and spending quality time with her family.

Leslie Laurie Wood is a native Floridian and grew up in Broward County where she spent her childhood learning from her father William R. Laurie about how to run the private school he founded. Today, he is still the Founder and CEO of that educational institution, American Heritage Schools and American Academy, which expanded to two campuses in South Florida and is one of the top private schools in the nation.

“As we help families with the educational journey and finding the best fit for their children, it is important that we emphasize how each child has a set of strengths and weaknesses with a unique path to success.” 

Mrs. Wood graduated from Florida State University, and after working in the education field for several years, she established a tutoring business in Tallahassee to serve students with ADHD and dyslexia. “Watching my father work with students, helping them improve their skills and strategies in school work, and motivating them to gain confidence in their ability to learn has been a great inspiration to me,” Mrs. Wood said. In 2012, she joined her father and brother back on campus to help run American Heritage Schools and The American Academy program. Her educational credentials include a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Master’s in Elementary Education with an emphasis in reading diagnostics and correction, and a Specialist Degree in Educational Administration.

Mrs. Wood is happily married to a “history nerd,” and they have two wonderful grown children. She enjoys traveling with her husband whenever possible to geological points of interest, such as caverns, the Grand Canyon, and historical sites and cities from Jamestown, Virginia to Segovia, Spain.