What Should You Look for in a Tutor? My Story and Science-Based Approach

My Early Reading Struggles  

I didn’t always love reading. In fact, my first memory of it is filled with anxiety, not success.

I was in kindergarten when my teacher praised me and asked me to write my name on the “smiley face list.” It should have been a proud moment—but I froze. I didn’t know how to write my name. I remember walking to the front of the room, cheeks burning, and shakily writing just the letter “H.” Instead of feeling celebrated, I felt ashamed.

That moment stayed with me. It was the beginning of what would become a rocky early road with reading and writing.

Everything began to shift in second grade when I was pulled for a structured literacy program called Zoo Phonics. For the first time, things made sense. I still remember the songs, the motions, and—most of all—the joy of finally understanding how reading worked. That intervention changed not just my academics, but my identity.

How Structured Literacy Helped One Student Learn to Read  

Years later, I found myself sitting across from a student named Albert. He was a first grader who couldn’t read and had a speech delay. He had memorized a few sight words, but had no real phonics skills. His classroom was using the outdated three-cueing method, which doesn’t align with the science of reading—and it showed.

Even though I was still new to tutoring, I began working with Albert using structured literacy. Slowly, things clicked. He started reading decodable books, and soon he was laughing at the stories, using silly voices for the characters, and genuinely loving books.

After just ten months—working together only 30 minutes, twice a week—Albert reached grade-level reading. More importantly, he no longer feared reading. He enjoyed it.

That experience changed me. It proved that the right approach at the right time could unlock a child’s confidence—and future.

My Qualifications and Science-Based Reading Approach  

I hold a teaching credential and a master’s degree in special education. My classroom experience taught me how to serve students with diverse needs, including autism, ADHD, speech and language delays, and processing disorders.

Over time, I found myself drawn again and again to the process of teaching reading. I began reading books, listening to podcasts, and immersing myself in the science of reading. I completed the LETRS training through my district, and later invested in Orton-Gillingham training on my own—because I wanted to be the most effective, well-rounded reading teacher I could be.

I believe in instruction that is explicit, systematic, and research-based—but also compassionate and human.

The Struggle Is Real  

I know what it’s like to feel behind. To sit in a classroom and feel like everyone else “gets it” while you don’t. I know the shame, the self-doubt, and the belief that maybe you’re just not smart.

But I also know what it’s like to come out the other side—to discover that you can learn, that reading can be joyful, and that school doesn’t have to feel like a daily defeat.

That’s what I offer my students today: A second chance—not just to read, but to believe in themselves.  

In my practice, I’ve watched child after child go from discouraged to confident, from avoiding books to choosing them with pride. I walk closely with families through this transformation, and it brings me endless joy and purpose.

The core belief that drives everything I do is simple: All kids can learn to read. And they deserve to.  

What Students Gain Beyond Reading Skills  

The students who go through my program don’t just improve their reading skills—they reclaim their confidence. They speak up more in class. They write better. They explore books on topics they care about.

But perhaps most importantly, they shed the shame that once made them believe school “wasn’t for them.”

Teaching a child to read is the greatest gift we can give them. It vanquishes shame, elevates self-esteem, and opens the door to a future full of possibility.

What to Do If Your Child Is Struggling to Read  

If your child is struggling to read, you don’t have to wait and see. Early intervention matters—and the right support can change everything.

Let’s talk about how we can help your child thrive.