The mission of Sunnyside Literacy Lab is to provide affordable, high-quality educational services directly to families and empower families to support their children outside of school.

Our guiding principles:

  • All kids can learn.

  • Reading is a pleasure.

  • Literacy is a civil right.

  • Literacy instruction must be evidence-based.

  • Closing the opportunity gap involves play.

  • Families should be empowered as children’s first teachers.

Team

Anna Young

Founder + Educator

Hi! I’m Anna. I started my career with Teach for America and have worked in education for eight years as a humanities teacher, special educator, and academic interventionist. I currently supervise graduate students at CUNY Hunter College.

I earned a B.A. in Political Science from McGill University and an M.S. in Adolescent Special Education from CUNY Hunter College. I am certified in the Orton-Gillingham method, a structured literacy approach to reading instruction.

In my spare time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, experiencing the diverse food cultures of Queens, and reading my preferred genre… detective novels.

Deborah Caraballoso-Gomez

Educator

I’m a bilingual educator with a Master’s in Special Education and a proud mom of children with learning differences.

I understand the power of personalized support and bring both heart and experience to every session. Literacy is my passion, and I love helping students grow in confidence and skill.

As an advocate for equitable education, I look forward to supporting students and families through my work at Sunnyside Literacy Lab.

Jonah Wolfson

Educator

I have been a middle and high school teacher in New York City since 2017, working with full classes, small groups and individual students. As part of my work in schools, I have taught literacy intervention. I have a master's degree in special education with a focus on students in grades 7–12.

I'm an avid non-fiction reader myself, and I am always eager to support students as they cultivate their love of reading – both for the sake of reading itself, and so they can begin to independently pursue learning about their own interests.

Anisa Lett

Educator

Hi, I’m Anisa! My journey in education began with AmeriCorps, where I mentored high school students and quickly discovered my passion for supporting young learners. That experience sparked a global adventure—teaching English in South Korea—before bringing me to the vibrant classrooms of New York City.

With over 7 years of experience in the education field, I hold a Master of Science in Childhood Education and Special Education (Grades 1–6). I’m dedicated to helping students build confidence in their reading and writing abilities by providing thoughtful support, encouragement, and targeted instruction. My goal is to help every learner feel empowered and successful.