Team
Meet our Team
We always joke that our ideal tutor is just a really smart clown. Our tutors speak "kid" fluently, know how to make the hard stuff fun, and are trained in research verified methods that work for students who have struggled in other settings.
Rehab Shahbal
Founder & CEO, DYStinct Learners
Rehab Shahbal leads DYStinct Learners as its Founder and CEO. A dedicated mother of three, including a child with dyslexia, Rehab is deeply committed to transforming the landscape of educational support. Her personal journey fuels her mission to ensure that specialized, research-driven services are readily accessible to students, parents, and educators dealing with dyslexia and other learning differences. With over 25 years of experience in senior executive roles, Rehab brings a wealth of knowledge and a strategic approach to her leadership. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Strategic Management, from the University of Strathclyde.
Sherry Maher, MSc
Head of Learning
Sherry Maher, Head of Learning at DYStinct Learners, holds a Master’s in Psychology and is a certified Dyslexia Specialist and Positive Discipline Parent Educator. With over nine years of educational experience, she specializes in multi-sensory and holistic approaches to special education.
Nazli El Leithy
Learning Intervention Specialist
Nazli is our Learning Intervention Specialist supporting children aged 4-12 years with a range of developmental disabilities and learning difficulties. She is currently completing her Level 5 Dyslexia Specialist training with British Dyslexia Association and she holds a MA in Special & Inclusive Education from University College of London and is a Registered Test User in Educational Testing with the British Psychological Society.
Yasmin Emad
Learning Intervention Specialist
Yasmin is a passionate Intervention Specialist with over eight years of experience supporting students with diverse learning needs. She provides one-on-one online tutoring in Literacy and Numeracy for children aged 5-14. Her approach is playful, engaging, and personalized; drawing from evidence-based programs like Lindamood-Bell and EBLI. Yasmin is a Level 5 Accredited Dyscalculia Specialist through the British Dyslexia Association. She believes every child learns differently, and she's dedicated to helping each one build confidence and thrive.
Ashley Harvey
Dyslexia Specialist
Ashley is a specialist in dyslexia and literacy with a Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Learners with Dyslexia and Specific Learning Differences. Experienced in Key Stage 1 and 2, she focuses on handwriting, phonics, spelling, and numeracy. Trained in evidence-based programs, Ashley combines professional expertise with personal insight as a dyslexic parent to help children learn confidently.
Aalaa ElMasry
Learning Intervention Specialist
Aalaa is a passionate Learning Intervention Specialist dedicated to children with special educational needs. Inspired by her sister with Down Syndrome, she brings both empathy and expertise to her work. Skilled in evidence-based programs like SRA, Raz-Kids, Seeing Stars, Lindamood-Bell, and Orton-Gillingham, Aalaa supports students aged 6 to 13 in literacy and individualized strategies. She holds a Master’s in Psychology and uses a multi-sensory, engaging approach to help every child thrive.
Sara Pedersen
Dyslexia Specialist
Sara is deeply committed to creating inclusive, effective learning experiences for all students. She holds a Master of Arts in Special and Inclusive Education from UCL and has experience supporting children aged 6 to 12, particularly neurodiverse learners. She uses evidence-based programs such as Reading Mastery and Seeing Stars to strengthen decoding, comprehension, and fluency skills. Her individualized interventions help students build confidence, develop a love for reading, and achieve meaningful academic progress.
Nourhan Keshk
Learning Intervention Specialist
Nourhan is a certified SEN teacher with six years of experience and qualifications in TESOL, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and Special Educational Needs. She is trained in programs like Raz-Kids, Words Their Way, and Seeing Stars, using structured, multisensory approaches to support learners. With a passion for literacy and numeracy, she helps students from Year 2 to Year 8 build strong academic foundations and renewed confidence in their abilities.
Laura Gowers
Dyslexia Assessor
Laura is a level 7 qualified dyslexia assessor and specialist teacher with 25 years of experience in the UK. She holds postgraduate qualifications in special education, psychometric testing, assessment and access arrangement, specializing in identifying the correct support for each learner.