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Tutoring
“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” — Ignacio Nacho Estrada
Learning should be fun, engaging, and exciting. When a student has dyslexia, though, education can become hard for everyone involved. Watching your child struggle with something so essential to life is not easy, but you’re in the right place. There are answers!
Dyslexia Tutoring offers one-on-one tutoring using the Barton Reading & Spelling System. I am certified in this research and evidenced based program, which is approved by the California, Colorado, and Arkansas Boards of Education. As a former speech and language therapist and elementary teacher, I also use and am trained in The Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech (LiPS). This program is recommended by Susan Barton of the Barton Reading and Spelling System because it teaches the student to accurately perceive the sounds within words, a necessary step for those students who need it.
My Philosophy
Learning to read and spell is hard work for dyslexic students, which is why I strive to make it as fun as possible. At the same time, I am always working through the program as fast as possible, while ensuring my students have complete mastery of the skills I have taught them.
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Your child deserves to succeed, and keeping them happy and motivated is one of my top priorities. My students are rewarded with a prize every time they complete one of the 10 levels. I love using games as an incentive, and often end sessions with 5 minutes of a fun game that is carefully designed to reinforce that student's specific lesson. Together, we learn, celebrate, and have fun!
Most children with dyslexia have an awareness that reading and spelling is hard work for them. I point out their successes, and always mention what they did correctly, before giving gentle corrections. Making our time together a positive experience is the top priority for me, and my hope is to help each of my students understand the special gifts they have!
What I Teach
Phonemic Awareness
How to accurately perceive and mentally manipulate sounds within a single word or syllable. This is the foundational skill needed to correctly read and spell.
Phoneme/Grapheme Correspondence
Which letters and combination of letters make certain sounds and how to blend those sounds.
​The Six Types of Syllables
vowel sounds change depending on the syllable type. Knowing the type of syllable it is will enable them to accurately read and spell them.
​Roots, Affixes, and Morphology
These expand a student's vocabulary and ability to comprehend (and spell) unfamiliar words.
Probabilities and Rules
Our English language provides several ways to spell the same sounds. These rules are taught.
My Teaching Methods
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Simultaneous Multisensory Instruction
People learn best when they use all their senses - visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic
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Systematic and Cumulative
Lessons are logically arranged, and each lesson builds upon the last. Learned knowledge is continually reviewed and practiced.
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Direct, explicit instruction
I teach directly and explicitly each and every concept that affects the English language.
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Intense instruction with lots of practice
I ensure mastery before moving on to the next concept. Students bring home hand-outs and can check out games to play at home for additional practice.
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Synthetic and Analytic
I teach students how to combine individual letters or sounds together to form a word (synthetic), and also how to break a long word into smaller pieces (analytic).
6
Diagnostic Teaching
I constantly assess my students' understanding of concepts and adjust the pace accordingly. I strive to keep material challenging, while also ensuring mastery of previously taught concepts.
My Policies
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All tutoring is one-on-one.
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I tutor in my home in Hendersonville. (I am located near the intersection of Avant Lane and Old Drakes Creek Road). I can also be available to tutor in private schools.
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Students must complete two, 50-minute sessions each week. More sessions each week will result in faster progress.
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Sessions are $40 per 50-minute lesson.
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Payment is required at the beginning of the month for all sessions for that month. In case of illness or an emergency, make-up sessions are offered.
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You may cancel at any time, and unused sessions will be promptly refunded.
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Sibling discounts are available.
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Currently, I am offering tutoring on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
New Student Requirements
New students:
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Struggle with spelling when writing.
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Struggle to easily sound out unknown words when reading.
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Must be at least 5 years old and in kindergarten.
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Must speak and comprehend spoken English.
