Reading and the Squid Tutoring

  I began my career in education in 2000, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a focus on Reading Intervention. I continued my education by obtaining a Master of Education in Administrative Leadership. I am an International Dyslexia Association certified Structured Literacy Teacher and received training in the Orton Gillingham Approach. In addition to my Structured Literacy certification, I also holds certifications in Dyslexia Studies and Trauma Informed Education.

My tutoring business is a labor of love.  I started out on my own, but the demand is so high for structured literacy services I have since hired and provided Orton Gillingham training for 6 other tutors in two locations ( Bend and Redmond Oregon) One in five children are dyslexic. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability. Individuals with this medical condition have difficulty in the areas of language processing. There are decades of research in regards to how the brain learns to read and appropriate methods of instruction in order to assist those who are dyslexic. 

Public education is behind the curve of presenting Tier I  reading instruction that benefits not only dyslexic children, but ALL children. I have worked in Title IA schools my whole career. As a Title IA Reading Specialist, I have seen the struggles that children have had learning to read, especially those who come from homes of poverty.  With dwindling Federal Title IA funding, I am less able to address then needs of these students  in a public school setting which prompted me to start my own tutoring practice in the summer of 2019. 

With my specialized training and expertise, I charge an amount  for tutoring that is not feasible for all families to afford.  It is typically a twice a week, 2-3 year investment for families to close the reading gap and getting their dyslexic child on a positive trajectory. This prevents so many children from receiving the reading instruction that they so desperately need.

My dream is to be able to provide scholarships for families who are unable to afford Orton Gillingham tutoring with my practice presently.  Qualification for scholarships would be based on family income and the 2-3 year commitment via contract.

I thank you for taking the time to read my proposal!