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Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn LettersBrooklyn Letters

1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn

4.9 50 reviews

  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Brigid Bower ★★★★★ 2 months ago
    Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Kelley Peters-Patel ★★★★★ 4 months ago
    Melissa was wonderful. Our daughter warmed to her immediately and by the time she left, had already started "practicing" some of the techniques Melissa had shown her. I will not hesitate at all to reach out to Melissa again, should … More the need arise.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Duygu Başaran ★★★★★ 2 months ago
    Brooklyn Letters was recommended to me through a friend's speech therapist friend in NJ. The articulation evaluation for my daughter went well. We were pleased with Kristin's services.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Heather Liljengren ★★★★★ 11 months ago
    We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters R Elmore ★★★★★ 8 months ago
    Aileen was INCREDIBLY helpful to us, both in assessing possible origins of my grandson's food aversions, as well as informing us of various available interventions to consider.
    I can’t thank you and Brooklyn Letters enough for connecting
    … More us with Aileen. In all our feeding therapy journey we have not gotten anything near the kind of benefit that we did from her. Her knowledge, professionalism, and responsiveness have put us on the path of progress with my grandson and has also made us feel genuinely well cared for.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Christine Weiher ★★★★★ a year ago
    We were amazed with Allison! She met my son at 2 1/2 years old, not speaking much at all, and over a computer, and she was able to develop a bond and friendship, so much so that he would look forward to his weekly computer time with Allison. … More I was not sure how the speech therapy would go- but we are so happy that we tried it out and continued. It allowed my son to gain confidence in his speech, make a new friend :), and also give him the skills and a bit of understanding of how to shape his mouth or where to place his tongue to make the proper sounds. We were extremely happy with Allison- she was fantastic to work with.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Andrea Saffady ★★★★★ a year ago
    My sessions with Karen have been extremely helpful. My speech has improved tremendously. In fact, I just finished 2 hours of conducting interviews with a consulting client via MS Teams and I have an upcoming conference call. Both my … More neurologist and neurosurgeon remarked about how good my speech is. Much of the day it is perfect, although I still have some rough spots when I get tired or speak too quickly. One of my granddaughters is a speech pathology student at Ithaca College. She sat in on 2 sessions while she was home for winter break, and she was very impressed with Karen.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Jacob B ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    We were delighted with Christie. First, and most importantly, our son made great strides under her guidance. So great, that we felt he no longer needed help! She was incredibly patient and kind with him and our son really responded to … More her. Christie was also great with me and my wife. She provided thorough and informative updates on our son's progress and which exercises she was using with him, so we could reinforce what she was teaching him. All in all, we had a fabulous experience with Christie and would highly recommend her.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Jessica C ★★★★★ 8 months ago
    Theo was wonderful and his work with my son has produced some progress. I am grateful for the services Theo provided.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Melissa Stevens ★★★★★ a year ago
    Highly recommend Jill. She is a total pleasure to work with. After a few months working with Jill, my son is reading above grade level and LOVES to read. Mission accomplished!
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Demet Evren ★★★★★ a year ago
    Paige was great and we had been really happy with her. I would highly recommend her! I recommend Brooklyn Letters to whomever asks for a speech therapist.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Jeizel Rosenthal ★★★★★ a year ago
    Isabel was WONDERFUL and our son absolutely adored her, and he is making great progress with his reading and writing.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Lesley Duval ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    Theo was fantastic with our 4yo son. We were very worried that his progress would fall off when we had to switch to remote sessions, but Theo kept our son happy and engaged through the screen. Highly highly recommend!
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Samantha Packard ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    We've been working with Theo from Brooklyn Letters for close to 4 months now and the results are apparent; our daughter has vastly improved her speech in a relatively short amount of time. We make "Theo Day" a celebration … More in our house with pancakes for breakfast, and the enthusiasm is matched in the sessions. Theo is fun, patient, professional, and caring, and he gives us the tools to take the lessons beyond the session. Thank you Theo, and Brooklyn Letters, for helping our daughter express herself.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Travis Ricca ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    I worked with Alina to enhance my pronunciation, tone, and pacing while communicating socially and in a work environment. She was great to work with and clear about goals and learning objectives. The improvement from day 1 has been tremendous! … More
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Enrico Bermudez ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Cathy has been excellent with us and our son. We will sorely miss her. He has improved significantly with Cathy’s help. Cathy was a true partner with us, especially as we pursued additional help through our son’s school system.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Kayne Elisabeth Wilk ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    We really loved working with Alina, she is so fantastic. Patient yet firm, and determined the best course of action very clearly and succintly for us. And it all transitioned so well to Zoom as well. I will definitely be back in touch for … More services for our other child after summer break!
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Jen S ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Vera was amazing! My 11 yo daughter made progress so quickly and really looked forward to her sessions. She was kept motivated and engaged.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters susie tofte ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    The work that Allison P. did with our daughter over the years has been invaluable to us. Our daughter had such a good relationship with Allison, and it allowed them to work really well together - even remotely these past 6 months. This … More year, Allison went above and beyond by helping us throughout the neuropsych eval we did, trying to re-open our daughter's IEP at her school, and eventually landing her at our chosen school. She was in contact with our daughter's teachers, with the neuropsychologist, and made herself available as a reference to speak on behalf of our daughter's learning differences.
    Allison stopped by our house last week to give our daughter cupcakes and say goodbye, and I literally cried with appreciation for what an amazing speech therapist she has been. She has been our daughter's biggest champion. The new families that she will work with this year are lucky to have her.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Alicia Perez-Katz ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Sydney was great! Our son was sad to end his sessions with her, which says a lot. We appreciated her honest assessment of his skill level, and he now has materials to self monitor and practice. Thank you!
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Kristin Ames ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Our experience with Theo was terrific. Theo was great with my son. He developed a positive relationship with him based on sincerity, respect, trust and a deep personal connection. In their lessons, Theo was encouraging, creative and kind. … More He helped our son understand how to differentiate the sounds he made when he spoke, and gave him great exercises to practice every week between lessons. Our son was sorry to have the lessons come to an end, but recognized that Theo had helped him as much as possible and it was time for him to stop. Theo explained to him (and us) how to keep working to get the last 5%, and encouraged him to keep working on the exercises on his own. I have recommended Theo to another parent who noticed my son's improvement and inquired for her own son.
    We are all grateful to have gotten to know Theo, and we greatly appreciate all the work he did to help our son.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Aisha Holder ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    "I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Michelle Macroy-Higgins. We are extremely pleased with her work with our daughter. I was so grateful for my daughter to have a speech therapist who is a researcher (specialty in late … More talkers), graduate professor and practitioner. Her expertise was clearly evident in our conversations and work with our daughter. She was very responsive to my questions and often sent articles and other materials about language development that I found helpful. Thankfully, my daughter's speech improved tremendously. Michelle developed such a warm relationship with my daughter. My daughter was always excited to see Michelle and would greet her at the door with a big hug. Lastly, I would add that Michelle always demonstrated empathy with me as a mother who was initially worried about her daughter's language development. I could go on and on about how pleased we were with Michelle's work."
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Andrea Peartree ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Theo is a wonderful Clinton Hill speech therapist. We were really pleased with him. Our son showed drastic improvement, not only in his speech but in his confidence.
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters mario costa ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Alexa has been an enthusiastic, reliable, well prepared and caring teacher for our 6 year old daughter. She has been able to improve and increase our daughter's confidence lesson by lesson with patience and competence; through varied … More and productive didactic practice. Alexa has engaged our daughter in several activities that always kept her motivated and eager to learn literacy. My wife and I, both of us are educators, feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe Alexa's pedagogical skills. Alexa has had a big impact on our daughter literacy growth. Thank you Brooklyn Letters!
  • Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters Lily Alt ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    We were absolutely DELIGHTED with Marsha's services. She was wonderful. We found her to be kind, fun, engaging, very knowledgeable. She provided us with clear instructions and additional written handouts each week. She engaged our … More son with different techniques and toys, and showed us how to use her techniques when we were interacting with him. I actually just texted her on Saturday - Our son finally said "more" - one of the target words we had been working on with her. It was a total joy to hear, and I had to share it with her - she wrote back immediately to congratulate us. I am so appreciative of her expertise, and wish we could have seen her for longer. I recommended her to another family in our neighborhood who is looking for a speech therapist.

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READING WRITING TUTORS SPECIALISTS

Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

READING WRITING TUTORS SPECIALISTS

Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
As Featured In:
Serving you since 2010! We are caring Literacy Specialists traveling to you! In-home, at-school, remote NYC metro area private pay literacy tutoring for school-aged students. We work with students of all ages, in private and public schools teaching decoding, spelling, reading fluency, and reading comprehension skills.
As Featured In:
Serving you since 2010! We are caring Literacy Specialists traveling to you! In-home, at-school, remote NYC metro area private pay literacy tutoring for school-aged students. We work with students of all ages, in private and public schools teaching decoding, spelling, reading fluency, and reading comprehension skills.
FOR LITERACY SERVICES OUTSIDE OF BROOKLYN
We travel to:
BROOKLYN NEIGHBORHOODS
Bay Ridge Bedford Stuyvesant Bensonhurst Boerum Hill Borough Park Brooklyn Heights Bushwick Carroll Gardens Clinton Hill Cobble Hill Crown Heights Downtown Brooklyn Dumbo Dyker Heights Flatbush Fort Green Gowanus Gravesend Greenpoint Homecrest Kensington Lefferts Gardens Madison Manhattan Beach Midwood Mill Basin Navy Yard Park Slope Prospect Heights Prospect Park South Red Hook Sheepshead Bay Sunset Park Williamsburg Windsor Terrace and More!
BROOKLYN NEIGHBORHOODS
Bay Ridge Bedford Stuyvesant Bensonhurst Boerum Hill Borough Park Brooklyn Heights Bushwick Carroll Gardens Clinton Hill Cobble Hill Crown Heights Downtown Brooklyn Dumbo Dyker Heights Flatbush Fort Green Gowanus Gravesend Greenpoint Homecrest Kensington Lefferts Gardens Madison Manhattan Beach Midwood Mill Basin Navy Yard Park Slope Prospect Heights Prospect Park South Red Hook Sheepshead Bay Sunset Park Williamsburg Windsor Terrace and More!
Training/Certifications

TRAVEL TIME IS INCLUDED WITH THESE RATES!

Manhattan, Connecticut, Westchester, & New Jersey Rates
Literacy & Math Tutoring Rates
  • $150-$190 Per Hour

  • $130-$170 for 45 minutes

  • $100-$135 for 30 minutes (online only)

Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, New Jersey rates
Literacy & Math Tutoring Rates
  • $135-$175 Per Hour

  • $110-$150 for 45 minutes

  • $90-$115 for 30 minutes (online only)

The Five Pillars of Reading

Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Just like a house needs strong support and foundation, developing literacy skills in young learners requires the Five Pillars of Reading. Learn how early literacy benefits from both print-to-speech and speech-to-print instruction. Recognized by the National Reading Panel as the “best approach to reading instruction,” these pillars include:

Backed by studies and scientific research, these five pillars make up the essential building blocks of reading. And by combining these techniques, teachers and parents can effectively introduce the concept of reading and language.

Here is a closer look at how the Five Pillars of Reading work to ensure successful reading instruction:

 

Phonemic Awareness

Phonemic awareness refers to the knowledge and understanding that words are built from and can be broken apart into smaller segments of a sound called phonemes. Phonemic awareness is one’s ability to hear, recognize, and manipulate sounds heard in words- think of it as the ears to brain connection. Learn about phonemic awareness benchmarks.

Phonemic awareness can be taught even before a child learns to read or identify printed letters. When babies are born, they are processing phonemes when parents speak and sing to their bundle of joy. In the English language, phonemic awareness means being able to identify its approximately 44 phonemes. Additionally, teaching letter sounds with letter names is an effective way for students to grasp the concept of phonemes. Learn what is phonology.

 

Phonics

Whereas phonemic awareness refers to one’s ability to recognize sounds or phonemes in words, phonics mastery means understanding that letters (graphemes or printed letters) of the alphabet represent sounds (phonemes)- think of it as the ears, eyes, and brain connection. Learn what are phonological awareness and phonemic awareness.

A child who has mastered phonics can sound out new or unfamiliar words on their own. The child is “cracking the code” and is receiving feedback by listening to oneself sound out words. 

Teaching phonics is all about establishing the relationship between sounds and printed letters or printed letter combinations. Starting with the printed letter-sound correspondence, a child then learns how to match sounds to letters and uses this relationship to understand printed words. 

 

Vocabulary

Vocabulary refers to one’s understanding of words, including their definitions and context. Vocabulary is broken up into oral (speaking), understanding (listening), and print (reading vocabulary).

Needless to say, vocabulary is crucial in strengthening reading comprehension and fluency. In most instances, poor vocabulary can limit and interrupt a child’s learning and reading experience. And while it can grow naturally from daily reading and conversations, it is just as important to explicitly teach and expand vocabulary.

Strategies in teaching vocabulary can include word mapping (graphic display of words/concept relationships), word substitutions, semantic relationships (how words are related), acting out meanings, and focusing on word structure (root words and its derivations).

Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Fluency

Learners achieve fluency when they recognize and read words with accuracy, intonation, fluidity, and speed, whether while reading aloud or silently to oneself. Hence, fluent readers are able to read automatically without needing to pause to decode words or look up definitions.

Fluency plays a key role in comprehension and is essential in keeping young learners motivated. When children are reading fluently, it frees up mental resources to allow them to improve their comprehension of what they are reading. 

When developing reading fluency, it is crucial to provide a child with frequent oral reading opportunities and to monitor progress. This involves reading out loud while being guided and receiving feedback from an adult. It is important to provide the student with opportunities to self-correct. This combination of consistent practice and regular feedback is critical in promoting fluency.

 

Comprehension

The ultimate goal for literacy is to comprehend well what one is reading.  Reading comprehension enables a child to predict outcomes, evaluate characters, deduce, and make connections to real-world events. 

A child’s comprehension skills can begin to develop before becoming an independent reader. One way to do this is by reading to a child and discussing the story’s main idea, characters, and setting. Explicit teaching, modeling, and guided practice of comprehension skills are also crucial. This is especially true for students whose reading comprehension skills lag behind their peers.

Discover some online phonics materials for struggling readers that can help them develop the five pillars of reading. Read Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong (host: Emily Hanford), and watch Blame It On Gutenberg, a powerful film “about the evolving science of dyslexia, dueling theories of how to teach reading, and one family’s landmark struggle with an unresponsive school system.“

Learning his or her ABCs is your child’s first step towards mastering reading and writing. But sometimes, teaching such an important skill can be confusing for parents. Do you start with the letter names or the letter sounds first? Is there a right way to teach a child the alphabet? Click here to read what speech-language pathologist Dr. Jan Wasowicz has to say on our blog!

Learning his or her ABCs is your child’s first step towards mastering reading and writing. But sometimes, teaching such an important skill can be confusing for parents. Do you start with the letter names or the letter sounds first? Is there a right way to teach a child the alphabet? Click here to read what speech-language pathologist Dr. Jan Wasowicz has to say on our blog!

BROOKLYN STAFF

Jill M.

M.S., Literacy Specialist

BROOKLYN STAFF

Jill M.

M.S., Literacy Specialist
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Jill is an expert literacy specialist and math instructor with 19 years of experience educating students from various backgrounds with diverse educational needs in kindergarten through 12th grade.  She is sought after by parents and educational institutions for her expertise and is certified in Bilingual Elementary Education (EC-4), English Language Arts and Reading (4-8), Special Education (EC-12), and Principal (EC-12).  Jill is also certified and equipped to assist dyslexic students in improving their reading, writing, and spelling skills through engaging instruction that utilizes multisensory teaching techniques.

Jill creates a nurturing learning environment and tailors her instruction to meet the individual needs of each student.  She believes in a student-centered approach to learning and incorporates various teaching strategies and resources into each lesson, such as hands-on interactive activities, manipulatives, multimodal digital texts, and mind mapping, to ensure that each child acquires the skills necessary to succeed academically and socioemotionally.  Parents find their children love her instructional style and ease of making learning engaging and fun!

Jill’s instructional expertise includes phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, dyslexia intervention, and elementary math.She will design and customize an instructional plan for your child that maximizes their potential and leads to successful outcomes.

In addition to her extensive experience as an educator, Jill is also a leader and role model.  She has mentored new teachers, served as grade-level team leader, provided staff development on effective literacy instruction to teachers and administrators, and led campus literacy initiatives.  She is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University with a Master of Science in Education Law and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Reading Education from Texas Woman’s University.

LOCATION: Online
TYPE OF SERVICES: Assessments and literacy and math instruction for individual students and groups (2-3 students).
EXPERTISE: Phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing (composition and handwriting), dyslexia intervention, and elementary math.
AGES: Literacy (K-12), Math (K-5).

Dan B.

M.S. ED., NYS Certified Childhood General And Special Education (Grades 1-6)

Dan B.

M.S. ED., NYS Certified Childhood General And Special Education (Grades 1-6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Dan is a dual certified special education teacher with over 17 years experience. Dan believes relationship building is the cornerstone of a successful teaching practice and strives to quickly engage his students by exuding expertise and passion within his practice. In his 17 years as an educator, Dan has worked as a resource teacher, inclusive special education teacher, as well as a self-contained special education teacher. Dan has experience working with a wide variety of students including those with specific reading, writing and math learning disabilities, speech and language delays, ADD, ADHD, as well as issues with Executive Functioning. Through his experience as an educator, he has been able to find his own innovative, progressive approach, which allows him to tailor units, lessons and concepts to the individual learning needs and interests of his students.

Dan has worked with a multitude of students implementing multisensory reading instruction and specializes his instruction to students who have difficulties with decoding or dyslexia. He has experience in implementing the Corrective Reading Program, Wilson Fundations, Wilson Reading System, The Orton Gillingham Approach, Guided Reading Leveled Literacy, Novel Studies, Core-Knowledge and the Teachers College Readers Workshop. 

Dan also has a passion for teaching math and uses kinesthetic/tactile strategies to reach all learners. He has used Go-Math, NY Engage, Everyday Math from the University of Chicago and TERC Investigations. When teaching writing Dan uses a variety of approaches to engage his students which includes the Hochman Method and Word Study/Vocabulary Instruction using Words Their Way.

Dan earned a Master s Degree in Regular Education and Special Education from Touro college and holds a bachelor degree from High Point University in North Carolina. He holds professional teaching certificates for both regular and special education (grades 1-6).

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, Downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Vinegar Hill, Flatbush, Clinton Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens; All of Manhattan
TYPE OF SERVICES: Multisensory Reading Instruction, Administration and Interpretation of formal and informal Reading and Math Assessments, Math Instruction and Remediation, Executive Functioning, Study Skills, Common Core Homework Help
EXPERTISE: Working with children who have difficulty decoding (reading words correctly) including those with dyslexia, reading fluently, spelling difficulties, showing reading comprehension, expository and narrative writing instruction, grade level and remedial math instruction, homework help, common core tutoring, building executive functions.
AGES: Kindergarten through 8th Grade

Derek B.

MA, NYS Certified Pre-K-6th Grade, NYS Certified Childhood Education And Students With Disabilities

Derek B.

MA, NYS Certified Pre-K-6th Grade, NYS Certified Childhood Education And Students With Disabilities
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Derek has a master's in Professional Studies a Professional Diploma in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. He has the following New York State certifications: Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6; Early Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities Birth-Grade 2: and as a School Building and School District Leader. Derek has been teaching and tutoring for seven years in many different instructional capacities including a 3rd-5th grade self-contained classroom, an education consultant for grades 2-4, and 4th grade integrated co-teaching classroom (ICT) and general education classrooms. Currently, Derek is a 4th grade ICT teacher in a New York City public school in Brooklyn.

Derek has taught students using a multitude of literacy and mathematics programs including Teacher s College Reading and Writing Project, Ready Gen, Lit Life, Go Math, enVision Math, and the Engage NY ELA and Math modules. He has extensive literacy experience using Core Knowledge Language Arts, Orton-Gillingham, Reading A-Z, Read Works, Wilson, Fundations, as well as Edmark for supplemental ELA intervention. Additionally, he has experience with integrated instructional technology programs such as Lexia, I-Ready, and Achieve 3,000 into his daily small group and individualized classroom instruction.

Derek has a strong understanding of how to support children with special needs through his work with parents and other special education teachers. His experience includes advising parents on appropriate services for their children; leading workshops for general education and special education teachers focused on differentiating instruction in the classroom; and presenting workshops for parents on reading comprehension and literacy strategies which provided a plethora of strategies to support their children at home.

Derek was also a curriculum specialist and instructor for an enrichment tutoring company where he designed, organized, and developed specialized instructional materials for K-8 grade students. His administrative work enhanced students ELA and Math critical thinking skills and improved their state test results. Derek is committed to supporting students and their academic growth.

LOCATION: Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island
TYPE OF SERVICES: Reading comprehension and fluency, reading and writing stamina, writing organization, structure, and development, spelling, phonological assessments, progressing monitoring, and data analysis
EXPERTISE: Curriculum modifications, phonological awareness, reading comprehension, writing for general education students and special education students, and data analysis
GRADES: Kindergarten thru 6th grade

Tatiana S.

M.S. Elementary Education, Certificate in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)

Tatiana S.

M.S. Elementary Education, Certificate in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Tatiana is a certified teacher with a track record of success on the NY state exams and over 7 years of experience in NYC schools. She graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame and is a Teach for America alumna. During her time as a TFA corps member, she completed a Masters in Elementary Education from the Relay Graduate School of Education and holds a Professional Certificate in Childhood Education (grades 1-6).

Tatiana specializes in inquiry-based learning and constructivist teaching methods. She implements Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, and Tactile (VAKT) strategies in her lesson plans. She teaches math using a Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) approach and, in reading, she is trained in Teacher s College Reading and Writing as well as Fountas & Pinnell. 

Tatiana’s priority is always to differentiate instruction, creating lessons that are individualized to meet the specific needs of each student. Beyond the classroom, Tatiana also has experience tutoring English as a 2nd language to children ages 7 and older. She recently accepted a role as an educational consultant, coaching teachers and leaders on using data to drive instruction and best practices for effective differentiation. Prior to this, she taught 3rd-5th grade on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, then in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

Tatiana has extensive experience with test prep material and is deeply familiar with math and ELA Common Core State Standards. She achieved a 100% pass-rate on the NY State Math Test for three consecutive years, exceeding the statewide average by 60%.

LOCATIONS: Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn (preference for Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Boerum Hill, Park Slope, Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill)
TYPES OF SERVICES: Individualized reading and math instruction and remediation, building and strengthening knowledge of math concepts (grades 3-6), developing study skills, support with homework, test prep for math and ELA
EXPERTISE: Math instruction for grades 3-6, constructivist teaching practices, test prep for math and ELA
AGES: 3rd through 6th grade

Peter W.

Special Educator And Childhood Literacy Specialist, Pre-K 4th Grade, MS, PhD

Peter W.

Special Educator And Childhood Literacy Specialist, Pre-K 4th Grade, MS, PhD
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Peter is a special educator and childhood literacy specialist, pre-K 4th grade, the learning to read phase of literacy instruction. He holds permanent New York State certification in special education, a masters in special education from Hunter College (CUNY) and a PhD in urban education from the Graduate Center (CUNY). He has supervised pre-service elementary school teachers at the undergraduate level and taught literacy assessment and instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Peter currently contributes, edits, and reviews book chapters and articles on the history, philosophy, and sociology of education for various academic publications.

Peter is trained in the Wilson Reading System, one of the many Orton-Gillingham approaches to multi-sensory phonics instruction. He has taught in both inclusive and self-contained special education environments (K 2nd grade). He has learned through his experience that multi-sensory phonics instruction braided with robust comprehension modalities is the sine qua non of childhood literacy instruction. Phonics and comprehension are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they must be coupled for effective assessment and instruction.

Peter also has an arts background. He has a BA in dramatic literature from NYU and was trained as an actor and musician (electric bass). He has taught arts in education courses at the undergraduate level. He likes to think that he brings a certain amount of creativity to his work that is rooted in a pedagogy of compassion and open-heartedness.

LOCATION: Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens available Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, all day to 10 pm.
TYPE OF SERVICES: Pre-K 4th grade Orton-Gillingham and qualitative (comprehension) literacy assessment and instruction tailored to a student's individual needs; implementing IEPs; providing test prep for the New York State ELA exam, K 4th grade.
EXPERTISE: Orton-Gillingham-based literacy assessment and instruction (decoding and encoding) and all that it entails beginning with phonemic awareness and ending with fluency; literacy assessment and instruction for comprehension, for example, the Qualitative Reading Inventory (QRI) and reciprocal teaching, respectively. Peter has experience writing and implementing IEPs and using the ELA Common Core as a guide for instruction.
AGES: Pre-K 4th grade, ages 4 through 10 or 11.

Tamara C.

NY State Early Childhood and Students with Disabilities (B-2)

Tamara C.

NY State Early Childhood and Students with Disabilities (B-2)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Tamara is a veteran early childhood educator with over 25 years of experience in the field. She holds an MST and MsEd from Fordham University, an MBA, and an Ed.D from Johns Hopkins University where she researched the impact adults have on children’s social/emotional development.

Tamara taught kindergarten for over 10 years, with experience in Pre-K, and first grade. She has also worked one-on-one with students from 2 to 20 years old in all areas of literacy acquisition, including phonics, phonemic awareness, writing, fluency and comprehension.

She has been trained in Wilson, Fundations, Fountas and Pinnell, the Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project, Reading Rescue and Reading Recovery and is currently the Associate Director of Professional Learning for Reading Rescue.

Tamara’s methods of instruction focus on the reading science through a multisensory approach to instruction, as well as on the fun. She prides herself on students LOVING her sessions. She works with students on not only their literacy skills, but also focusing on their self-esteem and comfort level so they are prepared to take their learning back to their classrooms.  She has experience working with students with various needs including ADHD, autism, anxiety, behavior disorders, and dyslexia.

Tamara has experience working with pre-K through fifth-grade math curricula. She supports students in developing all aspects of mathematics using a multi-sensory approach. Students use real-world situations and manipulatives to not only learn the HOW of math concepts, but also the WHY. Tamara has experience working with Everyday Math, Go Math, Singapore Math, and state test prep.

In addition to literacy support, Tamara provides test prep, executive functioning skills coaching, as well as study skills.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Downtown Brooklyn, Sunset Park, Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights; Manhattan: Upper West Side, Midtown West, Chelsea, The Village, Financial District;  Staten Island; Bronx; New Jersey: Bergen and Hudson counties
TYPE OF SERVICES: Individualized reading instruction, test prep, executive functioning, study skills, parent consultation and coaching
EXPERTISE: Early childhood education, special education, early literacy acquisition, social/emotional development
AGES: birth through elementary school

Maddie

B.S. Occupational Therapy

Maddie

B.S. Occupational Therapy
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Maddie received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst and is currently a full-time graduate Occupational Therapy student at New York University. She plans on specializing in pediatrics after graduation next winter. Prior to graduate school, Maddie was the Office Manager of a pediatric clinic offering Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy services. Maddie spent a lot of time working with the Department of Education and learning how to navigate specialized services for children in New York City. While working at the clinic, she was fortunate enough to take the Developmental Individual-difference Relationship-based model (DIR) course and obtain the introductory certificate. 

Maddie has over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages. She strongly believes in play-based learning and feels as though this helps with motivating a child to learn. Maddie encourages movement before and during sessions to help stimulate the child throughout and to keep them engaged. Typical handwriting sessions may begin with a game, such as a tic tac toe, jumping jacks, or something else that interests the child. Depending on the focus of the session they may do worksheets together or handwrite scenes of their favorite books. Alternatively, the child may practice writing on a large piece of paper taped to the wall in order to help with hand positioning. Sometimes in order to inspire creative learning, Maddie may use playdough, spaghetti, or other foods to work on letter formation. Overall, her biggest priority is individualizing each session for each child. Maddie is very dedicated to making learning fun and effective!

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Fort Greene, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens; Manhattan: West Village, Greenwich Village, East Village, Chelsea, Tribeca, Midtown (east/west), Upper East/West Side
TYPE OF SERVICES: Handwriting Tutoring, Writing Tutoring, Spelling Tutoring, Reading Comprehension Assistance, Math Tutoring
EXPERTISE: Attention, behavioral, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, emotional disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, ADD, Developmental Disabilities & Delays
AGES: Birth through 18 years of age

Jayne

Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, MSEd in Childhood Education

Jayne

Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, MSEd in Childhood Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Jayne graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She then completed her MSEd in Childhood Education at the College of Staten Island. Jayne is a tenured teacher with 18 years of teaching experience. She has taught in various educational settings with students of different abilities and needs for pre-kindergarten -6th grades. Currently, Jayne is teaching fourth grade in an ICT classroom in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. She has extensive experience teaching literacy and with ELA and math test preparation.

She has a strong understanding of the needs of learners with ADHD (executive functioning), dyslexia, and autism. Jayne has incorporated Ed-tech and adaptive learning tools to meet the needs of her learners. Her expertise is with grades 1-3. Jayne is trained in Columbia University Teachers College’s reading and writing curriculum. This program relies on modeling and inquiry to help students improve their reading and writing skills.

She uses multisensory-based teaching modalities to teach phonics, phonological awareness, reading, writing, and math. Her students practice decoding by tapping out the sounds they hear, followed by air writing, and finally writing the words in sand or shaving cream. Essentially guiding students as they hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes. Teaching fundamental decoding will improve word reading, text comprehension, and spelling. Jayne is also trained in the Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment program that helps students work on specific strategies to improve their ability to answer direct and inferential questions in fiction and nonfiction texts. Jayne incorporates the Savvas, ¨Words Their Way¨ curriculum for phonics instruction. Each lesson provides strategies to model a word, sort and practice it, apply it while assessing learning. This program reflects students´ spelling behavior as they move from one level of word knowledge to the next. This type of differentiated instruction maximizes students’ learning opportunities. Jayne also focuses on developing students´ handwriting skills by utilizing the four main aspects of handwriting instruction (pencil grasp, formation, legibility, and pacing.) A focus on handwriting results in positive outcomes for overall literacy development.

Michelle L.

M.S. CCC-SLP, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Michelle L.

M.S. CCC-SLP, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Michelle is a learning specialist who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Science with minors in psychology and disabilities studies from the University of Delaware. She went on to complete her Masters in Speech and Language Pathology at Hunter College, and in 2020 she received her Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School intending to pursue Education Law in the future. During tutoring sessions, Michelle helps students develop skills from a variety of subjects including reading, math, and writing. 

Regarding reading skills, Michelle has provided in-home tutoring to assist students in developing their phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills. Michelle’s approach is student-centered, and she makes a conscious effort to plan activities that align with a student’s specific interests to keep sessions engaging and enjoyable.

Michelle has provided writing support to students in first grade through eighth grade, with a particular emphasis on the planning stage, and organizational strategies used in writing. She has assisted students in learning to write persuasive, narrative, and informative essays. She utilizes a process-based approach focusing on writing full texts and meaningful ideas. This approach de-emphasizes spelling, punctuation, and grammar in the initial writing stage, coming back to these constructs later in the process. 

In the area of math, Michelle has experience working with first through third-grade math curricula. She is skilled at helping students enhance their problem-solving skills, and master mathematical concepts through the use of tangible manipulatives and visual aids. She places emphasis on making sure students fully understand early mathematical concepts, rather than just completing problems in a rote manner, as early concepts are fundamental to complete more complex equations in later years.

Lastly, Michelle has experience helping students strengthen their executive functioning skills. Specifically, she has provided in-home tutoring to address adaptable thinking, helping students adjust to situations when necessary, and how to see situations from another’s perspective. She also has experience improving students’ working memory, by helping students retain and store learned information efficiently and then later put it to use.

Erica

Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education (Grades 1-6) and MSEd in Behavioral Disorders

Erica

Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education (Grades 1-6) and MSEd in Behavioral Disorders
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Erica graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education (Grades 1-6). Afterward, she completed her MSEd in Behavioral Disorders at Hunter College. Erica has nine years of teaching experience in various educational settings with students of different abilities and needs for k-5th grades. She has a strong understanding of the needs of students with ADD, ADHD, and students who have difficulty with executive functioning. Her expertise is in grades 3-5. In math, Erica is familiar with TERC Investigations, Engage NY (Eureka Math) and interactive supplements like 3-Act Tasks. She is familiar with various problem-solving methods and helps students use the method that works best for them and their understanding. Erica also works with students to break down multi-step word problems in a way that helps the student understand the problem.

Additionally, Erica also incorporates a variety of instructional strategies in reading and writing. Erica teaches with a strong emphasis on modeling and guided practice to support students with skills such as elaboration and organization. Erica also supports students with homework help and test prep in math and ELA.

Erica has strong training in Columbia University Teachers College’s reading and writing curriculum. This program relies on using modeling and inquiry to help students improve their reading and writing skills. Erica is also trained in the Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment program that helps students work on specific strategies to improve their ability to answer direct and inferential questions in fiction and nonfiction texts.  Erica begins the tutoring process by getting to know the students on a personal level. Erica strives to create a calm learning environment so each learner feels comfortable and safe. She takes the time to observe and learn about each student’s learning style and create a personalized learning experience. This helps her students feel supported and encouraged while working with her. 

Erica has experience working with students who have different academic backgrounds and needs. Prior to working for the New York City Department of Education, Erica worked as a looping teacher (stayed with the same class for three years) for a Charter School in Harlem, New York. She traveled with her class from first grade to third grade. Currently, Erica is working as a 4th grade English teacher in a French Dual Language program. 

Erica is calm, energetic, and enthusiastic. She makes it a priority to develop positive relationships with all of her students. Erica makes learning about her students a priority and uses their specific interests to plan individualized lesson plans to keep learning fun and engaging. Her goal is to make her students gain more confidence in taking risks and working through the hard parts of learning to get to the sweet parts!

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill  
TYPES OF SERVICES: Individualized reading and math instruction and remediation, building and strengthening knowledge of math concepts (grades 3-5), developing study skills, support with homework, test prep for math, and ELA.
EXPERTISE: Inquiry-based math remediation, reading comprehension and writing about reading, teaching elaboration and writing organization techniques for expository and narrative writing, homework help, test prep.
AGES: 3rd- 5th Grade

Kaitlyn

Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), Master’s Degree in Special Education (Grade 1- Grade 6)

Kaitlyn

Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), Master’s Degree in Special Education (Grade 1- Grade 6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Kaitlyn is a childhood (Grade 1- Grade 5) special education teacher at a public school in Brooklyn. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) from The College of Staten Island. She continued at The College of Staten Island to obtain a Master’s Degree in Special Education (Grade 1- Grade 6). Kaitlyn recently completed the CITE program through The College of Saint Rose to obtain advanced certifications in School Building Leadership and School District Leadership. Kaitlyn has six years of experience working with students with diverse backgrounds. She has experience working with students with ADHD, autism, speech and language impairments, and dyslexia. She prides herself in differentiating her instruction to meet her students’ unique needs. She has experience teaching the Common Core Standards and newly adapted Next Generation Learning Standards.

Kaitlyn incorporates the Wilson/Fundation program in her teaching and applies the Orton-Gillingham approach. She is currently teaching in a 4th grade ICT setting as the special education teacher and also has experience as a 1st grade special education teacher. Kaitlyn worked at A+ Academy as a 4th and 5th grade test prep teacher specializing in math instruction and summer school for the Department of Education during the summers of 2018-2019.

Kaitlyn works with a student-centered approach celebrating their accomplishments and building their self-confidence. Kaitlyn teaches with the use of manipulatives and scaffolds. She specializes in teaching test preparation skills in reading, writing, and math. Kaitlyn provides support to students with phonics instruction, decoding, developing comprehension skills using a variety of sources. She has experience using the programs Go-Math, NY Engage, Envisions, and Everyday Math. She teaches strategies for students to apply classroom learning to real life.

Kaitlyn teaches that communication is key for forming meaningful relationships with teachers, parents, and service providers in order to support student’s wellbeing and development. Every student is a success story!

LOCATION: Brooklyn: All Areas, Lower Manhattan, Staten Island, New Jersey
TYPE OF SERVICES: Initial Reading Evaluation, Individualized reading, writing, and math intervention, Multisensory Reading, Executive Functioning
EXPERTISE: Working with students with disabilities and building their executive functioning, improving  phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and comprehension, improving understanding of math concepts using manipulatives and real world connections
AGES: Kindergarten-6th Grade
TEST PREP: Grades 3-5 ELA and Math State Tests

Lynsey

M.S. Literacy

Lynsey

M.S. Literacy
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Lynsey graduated from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelors Degree in Childhood Education (1-6) and graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a Masters of Science Degree in Literacy (Birth-6). Lynsey has over 5 years of teaching experience and has taught first-grade general education and is currently teaching in a fourth-grade inclusion classroom (integrated co-teaching with general and special education students). This has provided her with experiences involving students with a wide range of intellectual, emotional, and behavioral disabilities. Being that she works in an inclusion classroom, she works closely with special education students and has practice differentiating and scaffolding lessons to meet their needs. Lynsey has taught summer school the last 3 years for the NYC DOE where she has taught second, third, and sixth grade, focusing specifically on literacy and math. Lynsey also taught a STEM after-school program for 3 years, helping students use digital tools and devices to complete enrichment projects.

Lynsey’s mother and father are both teachers, as well as her sister, who is a Special Education teacher. Lynsey has been exposed to teaching practices from an early age and comes from a family of educators. Lynsey strongly believes in the importance of understanding that every student learns differently, and it is imperative to find strategies and skills to help students succeed. Lynsey incorporates hands-on, interactive manipulatives to help students meet educational, emotional, and behavioral goals. Lynsey also has extensive knowledge of the NYS New Common Core learning standards, as well as training in social-emotional support. She brings a passion and creative eye to her work with families and students of all learning abilities.

Lynsey has helped students achieve literacy skills such as decoding, spelling, reading fluency, reading comprehension skills, and writing skills by using visuals, hands-on manipulatives, and digital applications to help students learn and stay engaged. Lynsey strongly believes in evaluating each student to see which strategies he or she would best benefit from, whether it is practice with sounding out words or forming paragraphs. Students need repetition and lots of practice when learning new mathematical skills. Lynsey believes in constant and continuous engagement in fun, digital ways to help students learn their number lines, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and more. Since Lynsey works in an ICT classroom, she has had many students in the past with attention, behavioral, and emotional learning issues. Lynsey believes it is imperative to get to know each student, learning about their strengths, needs, and areas of improvement. Once she has developed a deeper understanding of each child’s needs, she is able to provide the most beneficial and appropriate strategies and materials necessary to achieve each child’s educational and emotional goals. Social-emotional support is her strong suit, and she uses many digital applications and SEL (social-emotional learning) strategies to make the students feel welcomed, safe and supported.

Kara

Certified Elementary, Special Education Teacher

Kara

Certified Elementary, Special Education Teacher
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Kara, a Certified Elementary, Special Education Teacher and Dyslexia Practitioner has been working in the public school setting for the past 6 years. She graduated with her Masters of Science in Education with a speciality in learning and behavior disorders from CUNY Hunter College.

Kara is certified in the Wilson Reading Program that specifically works to target language-based learning disabilities like dyslexia. She is also trained in several other multisensory reading and writing programs. Kara is currently a special education teacher in Westchester County working with students that have learning disabilities, executive functioning difficulties, ADHD, and autism. Kara also helps students with test prep for local and state exams.

When not teaching or tutoring, Kara enjoys spending time with her husband and 1-year-old daughter, Avery. Kara also enjoys exercising and loves working with The Girls on the Run running program!

LOCATION: Westchester/Lower Hudson Valley
TYPE OF SERVICES: individual & group sessions, evaluations, parent consultations, etc.
EXPERTISE: Language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.
AGES: Kindergarten-6th Grade

Daria

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education

Daria

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Daria is a multi-certified teacher in Early Childhood Education (Birth – grade 2) and Special Education. She graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Brooklyn College with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. In addition, she is fully trained in the Orton Gillingham approach (multi-sensory approach for struggling readers/writers).

Daria has been teaching and tutoring for 9 years in various educational settings with students of different abilities and needs from early intervention to 5th grade. She currently works as a special education teacher in a self-contained classroom setting in a New York City public school in Brooklyn. She has experience working with children ages 2 – 10 with ASD, processing delays, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, ODD, and speech/language impairments.

Daria has taught students using a multitude of literacy programs including Wilson Reading System, Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, Ready Gen, SRSD, and Orton Gillingham. Her personal teaching philosophy is rooted in the idea that all children can learn and want to learn. She strives to meet students where they are and help move them forward in a safe and inclusive environment. Daria differentiates for each of her students using multi-sensory lessons that help students struggling with decoding/encoding, fluency, and reading comprehension. She specializes in teaching phonemic awareness, letter/sound identification, blending sounds, word memory, and writing. Daria is a patient, kind, and nurturing educator. She understands the importance of getting to know each child as a whole and values establishing a partnership with families in order to provide their child with the best support possible.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Midwood, Marine Park, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill
TYPES OF SERVICES: Individualized reading, writing, and spelling instruction including phonemic awareness, phonics, sight word recognition, fluency, reading comprehension, and decoding/encoding
EXPERTISE: Students with disabilities; Orton Gillingham-based literacy instruction
AGES: Birth – 5th grade

Lauren C.

M.A. & NYS Certified in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language), Special Education, Early Childhood Education, and Childhood Education

Lauren C.

M.A. & NYS Certified in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language), Special Education, Early Childhood Education, and Childhood Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Lauren is a NYC Department of Education teacher and holds 5 NYS Certifications: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Pre K to Grade 12), Students with Disabilities (Birth to Grade 2), Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6), Early Childhood General Education (Birth to Grade 2), and Childhood General Education (Grades 1-6). She received her Master’s Degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language) from Hunter College in Manhattan. She also received a B.A. in Child Study/Mathematics from St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn. Lauren is currently an ENL (English as a New Language) teacher in Brooklyn, NY. She works with English Language Learners and modifies instruction so that her diverse students can grasp the content being taught.

Lauren has experience working with many diverse cultures and backgrounds, currently working with students speaking 27 different languages. Lauren specializes in small-group guided reading instruction working on specific students’ needs. She understands that students learn in different ways and incorporates a variety of learning styles in her instruction such as, visual, linguistic, and kinesthetic. For reading struggles, Lauren uses multi-sensory instruction with various hands-on techniques (play-doh, sand writing, air writing, magnetic letter tiles) to aid in word memory and building and engages with the students in interactive shared reading.

Lauren is trained using multiple assessments and curriculum including Teacher’s College, Words Their Way, Fundations, Fountas and Pinnell, Go Math, Metamorphosis Math, and Envisions. She works with students who struggle with decoding, spelling, and writing by building on each student's current skill level. Lauren has experience working with students who have learning disabilities, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Flatbush (Ditmas Park, Flatbush Park South), Williamsburg, Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Bay Ridge, Sunset Park
Queens: Woodside, Astoria, Sunnyside, Glendale, Middle Village, Forest Hills, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights
TYPE OF SERVICE: ENL support, Administering reading and writing assessments, phonics work, individualized reading instruction, providing math help, language building, vocabulary instruction, test prep for NYSESLAT and State ELA & Math exams
EXPERTISE: Working with English Language Learners and helping them build language, Intervention for children struggling with decoding, comprehension, and fluency
AGES: Preschool-4th Grade

Alexa S.

Masters in Elementary Education; Orton Gillingham Trained and Experienced

Alexa S.

Masters in Elementary Education; Orton Gillingham Trained and Experienced
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Alexa is a childhood (birth-grade 6) education teacher in a New York City public school in Brooklyn. She has been teaching since 2015. Alexa attended Iona College in New Rochelle, NY for her undergraduate education degree, with a minor in math. Following that Alexa attended Brooklyn College where she obtained her Masters Degree in Elementary Education. In addition, she is fully trained in the Orton Gillingham approach (multi-sensory approach for struggling readers/writers).

Alexa began her teaching career in an elementary school in Brooklyn as a second grade teacher. She has experience working with children with processing delays, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and speech/language impairments. Alexa differentiates for each of her students using multi-sensory lessons that help students struggling with decoding/encoding, fluency, math, reading and reading comprehension. She specializes in teaching phonemic awareness, letter/sound identification, blending sounds, guided reading, reading comprehension skills and writing.

Alexa has been teaching in a general education classroom setting for the past 4 years, each year she has had an ELL (English Language Learner) class, ranging from beginner ELL students to advanced. Within her school, she teaches ReadyGen, Go Math, and Orton Gillingham.

Alexa is patient, compassionate and creative. She will help your child grow as a reader, writer, learner, in the best way that fits their needs!

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Carrol Gardens, Cobble Hill, Marine Park, Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Gravesend and Borough Park
TYPE OF SERVICES: Individualized instruction in reading, decoding/encoding (spelling), phonics, reading comprehension, reading fluency, and writing
EXPERTISE: Orton Gillingham, individualized lessons in decoding/encoding, Leveled Literacy Instruction, reading comprehension, writing, and math
AGES: birth through elementary school

Raquel

Handwriting Specialist

Raquel

Handwriting Specialist
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Raquel is a handwriting specialist who has been helping children improve their handwriting skills for over 12 years. She graduated magna cum laude from Florida International University with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in various school districts in Florida, Boston, and New York City, working with children with various needs, specializing in handwriting instruction and support. She provides services to young children and has volunteered abroad, assisting parents, educators, and healthcare practitioners in child development. Raquel is a licensed and registered occupational therapist and certified pediatric massage therapist. She is currently seeking additional certification in brain coursework with Amen clinics to understand how neurodiversity impacts individuals. She has been trained in the Handwriting Without Tears program, uses methods found in TV Teacher, and tailors her approach to each child’s needs.

Raquel helps her students express their thoughts and concepts so they can be proud of their written and typing output. She uses various multi-sensory modalities (i.e., chalk, paint, playdough, etc.) and tactile and sensory experiences to help children grasp pre-writing and writing skills in developmentally appropriate and fun ways. Taking advantage of play, by incorporating children’s individual interests, has helped many of her younger children stay focused during her sessions.  Children are encouraged to find their unique way of recalling letter formation with mantras or songs.  Exercises warm up their hand and upper body muscles, helping her students write more legibly. Varied fine motor activities also help them isolate their fingers and support pencil grasp- which are other ways to help improve handwriting. During the toddler years, she supports pre-writing and readiness activities. She focuses on creating strokes, lines, and curves that prepare them for writing and early literacy. She supports letter formation and directionality in preschool and kindergarten, which is essential for writing efficiently and consistently. Once her students write sentences, Raquel focuses on legibility and spacing between letters and words to improve their readability. As children mature, cursive may be incorporated, which may help them express their ideas with greater fluidity. Raquel teaches typing to students who find handwriting arduous and laborious.

LOCATION: Online and throughout Manhattan
TYPE OF SERVICES: Handwriting Assessments, Handwriting Tutor (pre-writing, print, and cursive), and typing.
EXPERTISE: Handwriting
AGES: Preschool through adolescence.

Rebecca M.

M.S. . Elementary Education, Certified Elementary Teacher (Grades 1-6 )

Rebecca M.

M.S. . Elementary Education, Certified Elementary Teacher (Grades 1-6 )
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Rebecca is an elementary education teacher (grades 1-6) in the New York City Department of Education. She currently teaches 1st grade in Brooklyn. Rebecca has also worked with students in 2nd through 4th grades in both classroom and extra support roles. She received her Bachelors in Economics from Northeastern University and her Masters of Science in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Middle School Social Studies from Northwestern University. Rebecca is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach (multi- sensory approach for struggling readers/writers), Fountas and Pinnell, Teachers College Reading and Writing, Metamorphosis Math, and TERC math. Rebecca has experience working with students with diverse needs, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety disorders, speech/language impairments, and learning disabilities. She specializes in working with students who need intervention in phonemic awareness, letter/sound identification, decoding/encoding, fluency, reading comprehension, and writing.

Rebecca uses guided reading, Orton-Gillingham practices, and a multi sensory approach to support students at their current literacy levels and help them make progress in these areas. With upper elementary students, Rebecca also focuses on literacy integration and connecting reading fluency, comprehension, critical analysis, and writing skills to strengthen students literacy abilities.

LOCATIONS: Brooklyn: Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, and Park Slope
TYPES OF SERVICES: Orton-Gillingham, decoding/encoding, sight-word recognition, leveled literacy instruction, reading fluency and comprehension, writing, math
EXPERTISE: Orton-Gillingham, decoding/encoding support, improving reading fluency and comprehension, strengthening writing skills
AGES: birth through elementary school

Margaret

M.S. ED., NYS Certified Childhood General Education (Grades 1-6) Special Education (Grades Birth-2)

Margaret

M.S. ED., NYS Certified Childhood General Education (Grades 1-6) Special Education (Grades Birth-2)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Margaret is a Brooklyn native literacy and math instructor with 6 years of experience. She has worked with a variety of students with diverse educational backgrounds including those with specific reading, writing, and math disabilities. Margaret is a dually certified General Education teacher. She attended Brooklyn college earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Grades 1-6) and Touro College earned a Master’s degree in Special Education (Birth-2). Margaret is also certified to assist dyslexic students in reading, writing, and spelling skills.

Margaret is an energetic educator who believes in full-body learning. Her approach to multisensory learning includes auditory, visual as well tactile learning. She uses a variety of teaching strategies tailored to the individual needs of a child including mind mapping, manipulatives, and interactive activities. Margaret’s instruction includes phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, dyslexia intervention, and elementary math.  She customizes an instructional plan based on students’ needs and strengths for the utmost growth in your child.

Margaret has experience in implementing the Wilson Fundations, Wilson Reading System, The Orton Gillingham Approach, SPIRE, Guided Reading Leveled Literacy, and Teachers College Readers and WritersWorkshop. Margaret also has much experience teaching math and uses
kinesth etic/tactile strategies to make math engaging for all students. She has used SPIRE, Go-Math, NY Engage, and NY Envisions.

LOCATION: Windsor Terrace, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Bayridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, Downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Vinegar Hill, Flatbush, Clinton Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens
TYPE OF SERVICES: Assessments and literacy and math instruction for individual students and groups (-3 students).

EXPERTISE: Phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing (composition and handwriting), dyslexia intervention, and elementary math.
AGES: Literacy (K-6), Math (K-5).

Mike W.

M.A, NY State Early Childhood & Childhood (Birth-Grade 6), NY State Students With Disabilities (Birth-Grade 6)

Mike W.

M.A, NY State Early Childhood & Childhood (Birth-Grade 6), NY State Students With Disabilities (Birth-Grade 6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Mike graduated from St. Joseph s University on Long Island with a dual bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education for Early Childhood K- 6th grade. He also has a Masters Degree in Literacy K-6th grade from Long Island University. While working to attain his Literacy degree, he developed working knowledge of Fundations, as well as Fountas & Pinell. Before graduating from St. Josephs, Mike was an English major at Manhattanville University while studying to become a lawyer. However, he eventually realized his true passion was working with children and turned his attention to teaching. Both of Mike s parents were special education teachers. His mother taught middle and high school special education as a reading teacher, which helped expose him to years of teaching methods long before he had his own classroom. Now, Mike has over 10 years working in both general education and special education classrooms. For the past 4+ years, he has worked as a special education teacher in an I.C.T. (Integrated Co-Teaching) classroom, as well as a general education teacher at P.S. 170 in Brooklyn. One of his core beliefs is to create student engagement, which helps facilitate learning. He uses numerous multisensory and interactive techniques to enhance students writing, decoding, spelling, reading fluency, and reading comprehension skills. Mike also has extensive knowledge of the NYS Common Core learning standards, which he seamlessly incorporates into each lesson. He also has over five years of sports coaching experience. He brings a passion and willingness to work with students of all learning abilities and styles.

LOCATION: Brooklyn
TYPES OF SERVICES: Individualized instruction in reading, decoding/encoding (spelling), reading comprehension, reading fluency, and writing.
EXPERTISE: Working with students with and without learning disabilities in need of specialized one-on-one literacy support,
AGES: Elementary and Middle School

Alyssa B.

MS, NYS Certified (Birth-Grade 6) General And Special Education

Alyssa B.

MS, NYS Certified (Birth-Grade 6) General And Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Alyssa graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor of English and graduated from Adelphi with a Duel Masters of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education for Early Childhood PK- 5th grade. Alyssa has over eight years experience in teaching, influencing and enriching students with different needs. She has a strong understanding of the needs of students with learning and physical disabilities. She teaches students to improve their writing and reading (decoding, fluency, reading comprehension and encoding). Alyssa incorporates a multisensory method to help engage and effectively teach her students. Her expertise includes homework, school curriculum, and test preparation for ELA state tests.

Alyssa is trained in Wilson Fundations, an effective reading and writing program. She uses the Wilson curriculum in order to help students build their decoding, fluency and phonemic awareness skills. Alyssa has training in Columbia University Teacher College s reading and writing model to help students enhance their writing and reading skills. Lastly, she is trained in Fountas & Pinnell reading assessment, which helps children targets their reading goals.

Alyssa begins the tutoring process by administering Teacher College and Fountas & Pinell assessments to better target the needs of the student. Alyssa has an innate ability to connect with and reach all of her students. She creates a risk-free learning environment and encourages student engagement. She strives to promote and provide students with differentiated instruction and to meet the needs of each student’s learning style. She takes advantage of her students strengths and her students feel supported and nurtured when working with her.

Alyssa has vast experience in working with students struggling with reading skills and strategies. Prior to working for The New York City Department of Education, Alyssa worked as an Academic Intervention Services Provider. She use evidence-based intervention such as, Fundations Levels K, 1, and 2, Wilson's Just Words, and Fountas and Pinnell s Leveled Literacy Intervention grades K-5. She is experienced teaching students the strategies they need for learning to learn literacy. Alyssa s individualized, multi-sensory reading interventions target, decoding (reading), spelling, reading fluency, and reading comprehension. She specializes in teaching letter/sound identification, phonemic awareness, spelling, reading fluency, comprehension, and writing.

Alyssa is calm, patient, nurturing, and playful. She develops relationships with all of her students and uses their specific interests to plan individualized lesson plans to maintain her students attention, engaging and keeping them excited about reading. Her ultimate goal is to create confidence in reading and writing.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Fort Green, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Bed Stuy; Long Island: Nassau County
TYPES OF SERVICES: Individualized reading, writing and spelling instruction and intervention, phonemic awareness, decoding, sight word recognition, fluency, reading comprehension, and leveled literacy interventions.
EXPERTISE: Early and emergent readers, phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, reading comprehension, and writing.
AGES: Pre-K 4th Grade
Long Island Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Levittown, Merrick, Massapequa, Monday through Thursday 4:30 6:30

Joanna B.

M.S. Ed, Reading Specialist & Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS)

Joanna B.

M.S. Ed, Reading Specialist & Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Joanna recently relocated to Denver, CO but is serving students all over the country through remote services.  In the past, she worked with dozens of struggling readers, dyslexic readers, and readers needing enrichment across New York City.  She continues to work with students who attend private schools, public schools, charter schools, and homeschools, so she understands the challenges students face in dramatically different educational environments. 

She also works with students who have a variety of educational differences including dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, speech and language disorders, writing issues, and executive functioning issues. 

 Joanna earned her M.A. in Elementary Education and Literacy from Bank Street College of Education in Manhattan in 2011, and her B.A. in History from the University of Colorado in 2004. Joanna is certified by the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS).  Joanna earned this certification through training at the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE) as well as with the digital, multisensory training program, Lexercise.  She also has training with the Orton-Gillingham-based, multi-sensory program Preventing Academic Failure (PAF). 

At the beginning of tutoring services, Joanna administers comprehensive assessments to determine students’ strengths and weaknesses. She then creates personalized sessions to target specific areas of need. Joanna focuses on building independence by teaching students to use a toolbox of skills and strategies that they can refer to as they read and write. She has worked with many readers/writers who suffer from poor self-esteem related to their literacy skills, so she constantly strives to build students’ confidence during every session.  Joanna has a calm, patient nature and a playful sense of humor that help her to connect with students on a personal level. She believes that interest and motivation are critically important in supporting more thoughtful, engaged reading.  

LOCATION: Remote Only
TYPES OF SERVICES: Initial reading assessment, individualized reading instruction, and intervention, writing and spelling instruction, and intervention
EXPERTISE: Early readers, assessment and intervention for children struggling with decoding, reading comprehension, fluency, and writing
AGES: Pre-K-5th Grade
Available Mondays-Thursdays

Anastasiya K.

MA, NYS Certified (Birth-Grade 2) General And Special Education

Anastasiya K.

MA, NYS Certified (Birth-Grade 2) General And Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Anastasiya is a New York dual licensed Childhood (birth-grade 2) General and Special Education Teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching, mentoring, and tutoring students. She holds a bachelor of science from Brooklyn College in Speech Language Pathology, with a minor in Children s Studies, and a Masters of Science in Early Childhood Education in General and Special Education from Touro College School of Education. Anastasiya is currently obtaining her second masters degree in School and District Leadership from Touro College. She is presently working as a special education teacher in an integrated NEST second grade classroom, at a highly regarded school in Brooklyn.

Anastasiya has dedicated her career to working in private and public schools, agencies, and home based intervention sites throughout all boroughs. She has experience servicing children grades K-5 with a wide range of disabilities including: speech and language impairments, learning disabilities, autism, dyslexia, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, dyspraxia, anxiety disorders, and comorbidity of these impairments. Anastasiya has also worked with many ESL students who need assistance in understanding their school s curriculum and producing grade level work. She utilizes her interpersonal skills to collaborate with teachers, therapists and parents in order to set up effective communication, which is utilized as a powerful tool in helping the child become a successful lifelong learner.

Anastasiya was trained and continues to attend professional developments for diverse programs to meet the needs of all of her students. She is trained in Orton Gillingham, ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), Wilson Fundations Program, Leveled Literacy Instruction (Fountas and Pinnell), ReadyGen, Junior Great Books, TC Writing, and GoMath. She integrates a variety of these program, by creating multi-sensory and differentiated instruction for each child. Additionally, Anastasiya recognizes each child's interests and strengths and constantly strives to make learning enjoyable, exciting, and personal.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Prospect Lefferts-Garden, Sunset Park, Marine Park, Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Queens, and Long Island.
TYPE OF SERVICES: Orton Gillingham, ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), Wilson Fundations Program, Leveled Literacy Instruction (Fountas and Pinnell), Initial, Medial, and Final informal reading and writing assessments.
EXPERTISE: Working with students with learning disabilities, English language learners, individualized instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding strategies; reading fluency and comprehension instruction; writing instruction, extra support in all content areas, homework help, building positive study habits.

Gretchen M.

MS. NYS Certified 1st -6th Grade

Gretchen M.

MS. NYS Certified 1st -6th Grade
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Gretchen is a certified 1st-6th grade educator with over 7 years of experience. She is certified in both Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities. She has taught pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade and middle school (grades 6-8) within those 7 years. All of these classes were inclusive classrooms with students of varied ability levels. She holds a master of sciences in Literacy from Touro College and is a certified Reading Specialist.

Gretchen currently works at a school in Brooklyn and have been teaching there since 2012. She works in a specialized program that helps children with high functioning autism in an inclusive setting gain access to the curriculum and Common Core standards. She is trained in Orton Gillingham, such as Wilson Fundations, Junior Great Books, ReadyGen, Go Math, Fountas and Pinnell, and the International Baccalaureate Program that focuses on student centered learning in all curriculum areas. Within her current school, she conducts literacy interventions for struggling readers and hosts workshops on positive behavior interventions for her colleagues.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge
TYPES OF SERVICES: Orton Gillingham individualized lessons in decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling), reading comprehension, organizational and study strategies, academic help
EXPERTISE: individualized instruction, phonemic awareness, fluency, prosody, reading comprehension, reading and writing stamina, Autism

Natalie H.

Special Educator; Certified ASD Teacher

Natalie H.

Special Educator; Certified ASD Teacher
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Natalie Hale is a New York State licensed Special Educator (Grades 1-6). She received her Masters of Science in Teaching Students with Special Needs from the City University of New York at Brooklyn College and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the City University of New York at Brooklyn College. Natalie is trained and certified in The Spalding Method (K-6), a multi-sensory approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling. Natalie is also trained in the Wilson Fundations Program: a phonics-based program for young children (K-3).

Natalie has completed vigorous Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) trainings at New York University, as well as directly through the NYC Department of Education. She has been appointed as the lead teacher for the ASD Horizon Program at her public school.

Natalie has spent the majority of her career supporting students with autism, ADD, ADHD, learning disabilities, speech/language delays, and expressive/receptive language challenges. Natalie specializes in reading intervention for struggling readers in grade Prek-5.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Carroll Gardens
TYPES OF SERVICES: Initial reading assessments, individualized reading intervention and instruction.
EXPERTISE: Supporting children who struggle with decoding, fluency, comprehension, executive functioning skills, expressive writing skills, and expressive/receptive language development.
AGES: Prek-5

Maddie K.

M.S. .Early Childhood Education And Special Education

Maddie K.

M.S. .Early Childhood Education And Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Maddie is a reading tutor for children pre-k to 6th grade. She holds a dual M.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She is a certified Wilson Reading Instructor, having completed 11 separate graduate credits in the Wilson Program. Maddie has experience working with a diverse population of students, especially those with learning disabilities; e.g. dyslexia and ADHD.

Maddie’s personal experience with her own reading struggles as a child has given her a unique understanding of the emotional and social strains that struggling readers often face. Her interest in education began in high school where she tutored elementary school students in reading at The Churchill School and Center and taught children’s yoga. After receiving her B.A. in sociology from Guilford College, she began working at The Child School/Legacy High School where she gained experience teaching children with a wide range of special needs.

She was trained there in the Wilson Reading Program by Shelly P. (A highly experienced and accomplished teacher and reading specialist, also at Brooklyn Letters). This training led to a position as a reading specialist at The Child School/Legacy High School where Maddie worked one-on-one and in small groups with students (K-12) who were reading below grade level to build their decoding, encoding and comprehension skills. Maddie also worked as a reading specialist at Integrative Neuropsychological Services where she gave reading lessons as part of intensive educational interventions for children (K-8) with special needs. In this position she worked closely with students other service providers (psychologists, speech and language therapists etc.) to ensure that their emotional, physical, and social development were considered in every reading lesson.

Maddie specializes in reading intervention and prevention. She uses the Wilson Reading System and Fundations programs to create individualized lessons to teach reading, spelling, comprehension and writing skills. These programs use a multi-sensory approach to systematically teach students how to decode (break words into sounds for reading) and encode (put sounds together for spelling). This multi-sensory approach to reading ensures that all types of learners (e.g. auditory, kinesthetic) can easily access the concepts being taught. When working with younger students, Maddie incorporates lots of movement-based activities into lessons, such as letter-sound hopscotch. Not only do these activities make learning a new reading or spelling concept fun, they also make the new concepts more memorable.

Maddie’s approach to reading education is designed to build students confidence and interest in reading while simultaneously developing the skills necessary for academic success. The more she knows about her students, the better she can create lessons that meet their unique needs and areas of strength. She therefore encourages ongoing communication with parents and others involved in the students education.

At The Child School and at the Neuropsych Center she taught handwriting to children with a wide range of disabilities (e.g. cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, ASD) and those without disabilities who it just wasn’t clicking for. In both positions, she worked closely with OT’s and SLP’s to improve the skills each child needed in order to improve their writing. She has experience working with Handwriting Without Tears and the Fundations/Wilson handwriting method.

There are so many actions required of our minds and bodies to successfully express our ideas in written language, from physical hand strength to visual awareness of the page and so much more. Her lessons are therefore individualized to meet the needs of each student. Some examples of activities they might do are skywriting (using large, gross motor movements to remember letter formation), practicing proper pencil grip and posture, and organizing thoughts orally or with symbols or before putting them into writing.

LOCATIONS: Manhattan. Queens: Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights. Brooklyn: Greenpoint, Williamsburg.
TYPE OF SERVICES: Reading Assessments and Consultations. Reading Intervention and Prevention.
EXPERTISE: Working with students who have learning disabilities; e.g. dyslexia and ADHD. Advancing students reading abilities who are reading below grade level. Preventative literacy skill building for young readers.
AGES: Pre-K 6th Grade

Services Pages:
LITERACY CLASSES (Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade)
MATH CLASSES (1st and 2nd Grade)
READING CLASS (4 and 5 year-olds)

Lauren T.

Literacy/Dyslexia Tutor

Lauren T.

Literacy/Dyslexia Tutor
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Lauren is an independent literacy/dyslexia tutor and instructor. She has earned the Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy and Language from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She is also a CERI/IDA Certified Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist, a Certified Wilson Reading System instructor, and a Certified Mindfulness Instructor (Mindful Schools). She is also trained in the Preventing Academic Failure program.

Lauren specializes in teaching critical literacy skills as well as simple mindfulness skills to ease anxiety, regain focus, and regulate their emotions. Her motto is, “A Calm Mind Is a Mind that Is Ready to Learn.”

Lauren tutors students in grades K through 8 who need help with reading (from decoding to comprehension) and writing (from brainstorming to revision). She has worked successfully with students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, processing issues, executive function deficits, ADHD, and ASD. She has also effectively supported students who are twice-exceptional, that is, gifted and also struggling learners. She provides individualized, comprehensive, multisensory, direct instruction with patience and a sense of fun. 

She is also certified by Mindful Schools to teach mindfulness to children and youth. She has found that mindfulness is an especially empowering tool for children who regularly experience frustration due to their different ways of learning and understanding the world. Every session begins and ends with the sound of a small bell and a brief, age-appropriate mindfulness practice. Kids love that bell!

Lauren’s experience raising her son, who is gifted and also has ADHD, through New York City public schools and other academic settings, has given her a deep appreciation for the great effort that struggling learners put forth every day, and also for the concern that parents harbor about how to help their child. She is a sympathetic guide through the twists and turns, both logistical and emotional, of supporting a differently-learning child. She is also a veteran children’s book editor and a published author of more than 30 children’s books.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Park Slope, South Slope, Windsor Terrace, parts of Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill. She lives in Windsor Terrace.
TYPES OF SERVICE: Initial informal reading assessment; one-to-one Orton-Gillingham-based Wilson Reading System instruction, including individualized instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding/encoding strategies; individualized instruction in reading fluency and comprehension instruction; writing instruction, including the recursive process of brainstorming, organizing, revising, editing, and final presentation; contextual grammar instruction.
EXPERTISE: Orton-Gillingham-based literacy interventions. Working with children who have language-based learning disabilities and students with executive function issues and attention difficulties (ADD/ADHD). Strengthening phonics knowledge, improving fluency, teaching comprehension strategies, teaching writing, including expository, narrative, and poetry genres.
AGES: K through 8th grade

David K.

Masters in Special Education. Teaching credential in Multiple Subjects (General Education, Elementary K-6) and Special Education (mild-moderate disabilities). Trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to Literacy.

David K.

Masters in Special Education. Teaching credential in Multiple Subjects (General Education, Elementary K-6) and Special Education (mild-moderate disabilities). Trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to Literacy.
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

David worked for four years as an elementary school special education teacher in California. In New York, David focused on supporting individual students to succeed in school. He worked with all ages of students from elementary to teenager. He specializes in teaching literacy to students with special needs like Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, NVLD, and other learning disabilities. Success comes because David tailors his instruction to meet individual students’ needs. David has taught full general education classrooms, but his favorite practice is teaching small groups of special needs students, and individuals one-to-one. David believes that one of the key components to effective teaching is to build strong relationships based on mutual trust. David earned his bachelor’s degree in International Relations at the University of California, Davis. He earned his general education teaching credential at Mills College in Oakland. He earned his Masters degree in Special Education at California State University, East Bay.

David is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to literacy, guided reading, Fountas and Pinnell, Barton and Sonday systems, Do the Math, reading comprehension, Assistive Technology, Executive Function and study skills, functional behavioral assessments, as well as a variety of other instructional practices for teaching English language arts, math, and behavior. When working with students with reading disabilities, David typically builds a strong foundation in phonics using a multi-sensory approach first. Then, he will help students to expand their comprehension skills through reading, questions, and dialogue. However, every student is different. He conducts informal assessments to determine the exact needs of every student. David also supports students in writing by building skills such as handwriting, spelling, sentence structure, editing, pre-writing planning, paragraph structure, story structure, essay structure, grammar, and developing complex ideas.

LOCATION: Remote
TYPES OF SERVICES: Individual tutoring, small groups (2-5 students), IEP consultation
EXPERTISE: Literacy and writing for students with dyslexia and/or ADHD, Orton-Gillingham, Executive Function, struggling readers, multi-sensory math, making learning fun and rewarding
AGES: Pre-K through 12th grade

Susan V.

M.S. ED., NYS Certified Childhood General And Special Education (Grades 1-6)

Susan V.

M.S. ED., NYS Certified Childhood General And Special Education (Grades 1-6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Susan is a dual-certified special education teacher working in service of students with learning disabilities since 2007. She currently works as a 4th grade teacher at a public school in Brooklyn. Prior to teaching, Susan worked for a dyslexia organization providing information, advocacy support and tutoring programs to students of all ages. Susan believes that connecting with students over their interests or passions and helping them to tap into the wealth of knowledge they already possess are crucial steps to building a trusting, fruitful teaching relationship.

Susan has worked in co-taught classrooms as a special educator and general educator for grades 3 through 5 and has provided tutoring to students in 2nd through 8th grade, students with dyslexia, ADD and ADHD, math learning disabilities and struggles with executive functioning. Her approach to teaching is multi-sensory and incorporates creativity, encouraging students to, in the words of the poet Mary Oliver, pay attention, be astonished, tell about it, in their own expressive modalities including the arts and music (which Susan is personally most inspired by).

After receiving a BA in Art History from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, Susan worked in community arts education and as a children's yoga teacher, cultivating a love for teaching and a deeper appreciation for the role of educators in shaping children's lives. Working with teachers, therapists and language specialists at an organization for dyslexia, further nurtured this appreciation and led Susan to achieve an M.S.Ed in Childhood Education, grades 1-6 at Hunter College. Susan furthered her studies in special education at The College of Saint Rose.

As a tutor, Susan specializes in inquiry-based math instruction for grades 3 8, and works with EngageNY (Eureka Math), and TERC Investigations in addition to fun, interactive supplements like 3 Act Tasks and Estimation 180, which help students understand the real-world applications of mathematics. Susan works with the Teachers College Reading and Writing curriculum and also designs scaffolds for readers and writers to help organize and outline their thoughts and elaborate on ideas. She has used the Wilson Reading System and Just Words programs with students as well as Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading, and Words Their Way. Additionally, she has experience with test-prep instruction.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: BROOKLYN: Bushwick, East Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Bed Stuy, Greenpoint, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Downtown, DUMBO, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus QUEENS: Ridgewood, Glendale, Belle Harbor, Far Rockaway, Howard
TYPES OF SERVICES: Reading comprehension and decoding remediation, Writing instruction, Math Instruction, and Remediation, Executive Functioning, Study Skills, Test Prep, groups (2-3 children)
EXPERTISE: Inquiry-based math remediation, reading comprehension and writing about reading, teaching elaboration and writing organization techniques for expository and narrative writing, spelling difficulties, homework help, test prep
AGES: Grades 2 8

Stephen

BA in English and History, MA in Teaching, MA in Liberal Studies

Stephen

BA in English and History, MA in Teaching, MA in Liberal Studies
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Stephen holds a New York State Social Studies teaching license for grades 1-12 as well as a New York City Department of Education Common Branch license for grades 7-12. He earned a BA in English and History from Marquette University, an MA in Teaching from Teachers College at Columbia University, and an MA in Liberal Studies from the City University of New York Graduate Center. 

Since 2003, Stephen has taught middle and high school social studies and film electives at the Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies (BCS). Another core role for Stephen is as an advisory teacher for a “crew” of high school students, serving as a mentor and guide through their 4-year journey, for social-emotional learning and scholarly development, as well as college counseling and active application engagement in junior/seniors years. At BCS, Stephen has run “reading buddy” programs pairing middle school and Brooklyn New School elementary school students.

Stephen has years of classroom experience working with students of varying abilities, including those with IEPs, in general, education classes, and as a co-teacher in Collaborative Team Teaching (CTT) classes. Stephen also works with the NYC Department of Education on the after-school Home Instruction Corps, providing in-person and virtual learning for individual students who have been granted home instruction due to physical and/or social-emotional injuries and conditions. During the unusual 2020-21 school year, Stephen taught student participants of Camp Power’s virtual tutoring program. For many years, from 1996-2012, Stephen worked as a supervisor, enrichment teacher, and counselor for Project Reach Youth’s after-school and summer academic and recreational programs. He is also a certified Red Cross first responder for physical and emotional trauma.

Stephen is trained in the Wilson literacy method, Running Records, the Reading and Writing Project of Teachers College at Columbia University, Restorative Justice in the Schools, and Expeditionary Learning Teachers’ Toolkit.

As a teacher and tutor, Stephen’s bedrock strategy has been to begin with the idea that every student is someone’s child, possessing special gifts, worthy of care, great kindness, humor, and level-headed expectations to help them learn, grow, and make progress as students and fellow citizens. Stephen strives to know his learners well and engage/heighten their language level through instruction and discussion and, always, praise. He spends his free time doing charity work and enjoying the city with his wife.

Helping students with their executive function challenges is a multi-sensory approach that respects the creative thinking of each student Stephen works with. His approach is to know each student well and to bring joy and fluency to those he serves. With reading, repetitive strategies that bring out the meaning of the words–a story, an article, a poem, are best; with math, being a “secretary to thyself” or notetaking as problems arise. Brainstorming, mind-mapping, and visual cues are essential organizational tools for ELA-based activities. Stephen helps his students transform images into words, like an outline or points list, and eventually into a paragraph structure. To build acuity in reading comprehension, deep reading is an essential piece of mind-building, to make, literally, a library of ideas from books in your brain. From that library come other habits of mind, like knowing the pace of writing and reading. Rushing thru a homework barrier is the big monster to defeat. Stephen is here to help students file their work, organize their backpacks, and to set up routines to increase efficiency at their homes.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Park Slope; downtown, Ft Greene; Kensington; Bk Heights; Manhattan: anywhere on the island
TYPE OF SERVICES: reading acuity; math skills; social studies, science enrichment
EXPERTISE: language improvement; math spiral
Skills, grades 1-6
AGES: 6-11

Isabel F.

M.S. Education for General & Special Education, NYS Certified Educator of Childhood General & Special Education

Isabel F.

M.S. Education for General & Special Education, NYS Certified Educator of Childhood General & Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Isabel is a tenured New York State public school educator who has taught a multitude of grades in elementary school. She is professionally certified in special education, bilingual education (Spanish), and general education. She currently works as a 1st grade teacher who provides special education teacher support services in English and Spanish. Isabel’s education includes a B.A. in English from SUNY Buffalo State College, a Masters of Science in Education for general/special education from Pace University, and an additional advanced certificate in bilingual education from CUNY Hunter College.

Isabel has experience teaching the New York Common Core Standards and is trained in Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Teachers College Reading/Writing, Fountas and Pinnell, and a variety of other research-based intervention frameworks, programs, and curricula. When it comes to teaching/tutoring, she highly regards delivering explicit instruction, having a multisensory approach, and incorporating the child’s learning style and interests to make learning engaging and meaningful.

Isabel has had success with teaching students who have learning disabilities, ADHD/executive functioning difficulties, processing or auditory delays, speech/language impairments, and delays in early literacy behaviors by understanding that school content can be taught in different ways, incorporating fun tangible tools to use during sessions, and creating a partnership with families to best support students. She also explicitly teaches students organizational strategies to help them improve their grades.

LOCATION: Brooklyn (Red Hook, Park Slope, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Fort Hamilton)
TYPES OF SERVICES: leveled literacy intervention, decoding/encoding, fluency, sight word/vocabulary recognition, reading comprehension, strengthening reading/writing stamina, academic/homework help, informal assessments, Spanish tutoring, math tutoring for grades K-3, third-grade test prep
EXPERTISE: working in the Special Education field, individualized, differentiated, and explicit Orton Gillingham instruction, Wilson Fundations grades K-2, public school framework/curriculum
AGES: Pre-Kindergarten 5th Grade

Marcy M.

Certified Orton-Gillingham, M. Ed. in Special Education, Certified Special Education

Marcy M.

Certified Orton-Gillingham, M. Ed. in Special Education, Certified Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Marcy is a Reading Specialist at a school for students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities in Brooklyn. Marcy is certified in Orton-Gillingham and is experienced in applying the methodology to address each learner’s literacy skill deficits while continuing to build upon his or her strengths. She is passionate about structured literacy and the science of reading. She believes an explicit, systematic and multisensory instructional approach is essential for helping readers build phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and spelling skills needed for literacy success.

Marcy is certified in special education and has more than nine years of teaching and tutoring experience. She studied psychology and sociology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. She holds a Master of Education in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

As part of her master’s program, she completed a research project titled Effects of Orton-Gillingham Strategies on Basic Reading Skills of African American Students with Disabilities. She taught elementary special education for six years in Charlotte, NC, and two years in Charlottesville, VA, before relocating to New York City.

Marcy has experience teaching reading, writing, and math with students in kindergarten through sixth grade. She has worked with students with a wide range of needs including autism spectrum disorders, specific learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, emotional/behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairments, speech-language impairments, and developmental delays. Marcy has implemented a wide variety of literacy and mathematics programs, including Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI), Corrective Reading, Great Leaps Fluency, Reading Mastery, Words Their Way, Writing Workshop, Expeditionary Learning, Reading A-Z, Investigations, DreamBox, and Eureka Math.

Marcy is knowledgeable about effective practices for building relationships with students and cultivating a supportive learning environment. She has been trained by CT3 in the No-Nonsense Nurturer approach. Marcy can reach and motivate learners who are feeling discouraged and helps them become increasingly comfortable being challenged and taking risks. Marcy believes in making learning as fun and engaging as possible and often incorporates games into lessons. Every success is celebrated, and her students take an active role in tracking progress toward their goals.

LOCATION: Manhattan, Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Park Slope)
TYPE OF SERVICES: Administering formal and informal literacy assessments; Individualized instruction in phonological awareness, decoding/encoding (spelling), phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, reading fluency, and writing
EXPERTISE: Orton-Gillingham, structured literacy, multisensory strategies, dyslexia, language-based learning disabilities
AGES: Grades K-6

Darielle

B.S. in Childhood Education, Masters in General and Special Education (grades 1-6)

Darielle

B.S. in Childhood Education, Masters in General and Special Education (grades 1-6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Darielle is an elementary school Principal within the charter network in NYC. She is an NYS certified teacher for grades 1-6 in General and Special Education. Her education includes a B.S. in Childhood Education from SUNY Oneonta and a Masters in General and Special Education (grades 1-6) from Touro College. She is passionate about working with kids and supporting them in any way she can.

Darielle has taught grade 1st, 2nd, 7th, 9th and 10th grade but has worked in grades K-7 and 9-12 within her career. She has tutored in elementary grades K-6 as well. She has worked with students with different needs such as ADHD, autism, and speech and language impairments.

Darielle can help students struggling with decoding/encoding, fluency, reading, reading comprehension, and mathematics. She works mainly with scholars needing support in phonemic awareness; letter/sound identification, blending sounds, as well as, guided reading, reading comprehension skills, and writing. She is trained in Success For All (which is a literacy program) to help with phonemic awareness and has been highly trained on best practices in regards to guided reading. As for math, she uses a progressive, hands-on approach which will help your scholar learn how to critically think about mathematics rather than just memorize an equation to solve!

LOCATIONS: Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Flatbush.

Elizabeth

Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education & Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6), Master’s degree in Childhood Education & Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6)

Elizabeth

Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Elizabeth graduated from Marist College with a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education & Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6) as well as she earned a master’s degree from Touro University in Childhood Education & Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6). Elizabeth is also a member of both the International Honor Society in Education and Psychology. Elizabeth spent the first part of her career as a Special Education teacher within schools across New York City. She also mentored new teachers, served as a grade-level team leader, and led several professional development training sessions for teachers and families. She is currently an Assistant Principal at the elementary level where she works with students to cultivate their love of learning while building their self confidence as they work to meet their individualized goals.

Elizabeth is a literacy and math instructor with years of experience in mentoring as well as tutoring children from diverse backgrounds with various needs. Specifically, Elizabeth’s instructional expertise includes phonics, phonological awareness, decoding, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, as well as elementary math. She has experience implementing Wilson Fundations, Success For All (SFA), and Guided Reading Leveled Literacy.

All programs follow a multisensory approach that promotes reading, writing, and oral language development. Elizabeth has a passion for math and uses a tactile approach in order to meet the needs of every child. She has experience implementing TERC Investigations, Go-Math, and EngageNY. Elizabeth will design individualized lessons to meet the needs of every learner, therefore, maximizing student outcomes. She uses various instructional tools such as math manipulatives to technological resources which all facilitate academic achievement. Not only does she value her work with her students, but she also values her partnerships with their families as well. Elizabeth will work together with the families and provide them with strategies to use at home to support their child.

Location: Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens
Types of Services: Multisensory Reading Instruction, Multisensory Math Instruction, Formal and Informal Reading Assessments, and Interventions, Behavioral Interventions
Expertise: Working with children with specific reading, writing, and math learning disabilities, working with children with ADD and ADHD, NYS Exam preparation, NYS common core tutoring.

Nicole M.

M.A. in Secondary Education English Teacher Specialization

Nicole M.

M.A. in Secondary Education English Teacher Specialization
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Nicole is currently a New York State certified Middle School English Teacher in Brooklyn, NY. She has worked with many different types of budding scholars from 5th graders through undergraduate college students. Her master’s degree was obtained at CUNY Brooklyn, where she graduated with distinction. Also, Nicole graduated Magna Cum Laude from Seton Hall University with a B.A. in English Honors. Her personal teaching philosophy is rooted in the words of the late, great educator Rita Pierson, “every child deserves a champion.” Nicole strives for a classroom that is inclusive, built on respect and rapport, and serves as a safe space for all learners. Each child deserves an equitable education that meets his or her needs.

Heading into her eight-year teaching, she has supported students with autism, ADHD, auditory processing disorders, visual processing disorders, dysgraphia, and struggling readers and writers. Nicole has been trained in the following programs: Engage NY, Google Apps for Education, and Expeditionary Learning.

She is a Level 1 Google Certified Educator who alpha and beta tested Google Classroom in its inception in 2013. In school, her classroom is marked by students’ intrinsic motivation to learn, the inquiry process, student-centered learning, technology implementation, and fun!

Nicole specializes in English Language Arts, NYS English Regents Prep, and standardized test prep tutoring. Through patience, understanding, and conversation, she seeks to elevate all of her students. Each student will receive individualized instruction that challenges him or her through the usage of leveled texts. Every student’s program will be designed with his or her interests in order to establish a common ground and appropriate entry point for the material. Additionally, each student’s progress will be assessed to ensure the lessons are data-driven. Her students will gain comprehension through dialogue, questioning the text, making self-to-text connections, annotation, chunking, and summary. Vocabulary skills will be strengthened through practice, usage, and connotation study.

Nicole also offers Public Speaking coaching, Drama tutoring, and speech writing assistance. As an 8-year high school Speech and Debate coach, her students have won the Stamford University Invitational Tournament, finaled at UPENN and Yale University’s events, and semifinaled at Harvard University’s tournament. One of her high school seniors ranked 4th in the country in Original Oratory, an event that combines speech writing and performance. As a performer, Nicole was highlighted by a Broadwayworld critic for her dynamic performance as St. Monica in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Her students have made several specialized programs and high schools in the NYC area.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Park Slope, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park areas/communities
Staten Island: Bay Terrace, West Brighton, Castleton Corners, Old Town, Great Kills, Westerleigh, Historic Richmondtown, Grymes Hill, and Todt Hill areas/communities
TYPE OF SERVICES: Initial reading assessments, individualized reading intervention, and instruction, essay writing assistance, test prep
EXPERTISE: Assessment and intervention for those struggling with reading comprehension and writing
AGES: 6th grade to undergraduate college students

Lora G.

Occupational Therapy Graduate Student

Lora G.

Occupational Therapy Graduate Student
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Lora is a certified paraprofessional with over 5 years of experience working one-to-one with children with Individualized Education Plans. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Health Education and Promotion while working full-time during her undergraduate years. She is currently enrolled in New York University for her Masters in Occupational Therapy. 

Lora is passionate about working with students with different neurological, behavioral, physical, cognitive, psychological and developmental disabilities. She believes that behind every amazing teacher is a supportive and knowledgeable paraprofessional. Paraprofessionals work very closely with students and give students more one-to-one assistance while the teacher is mainly focused on the class as a whole. On the job, she has worked with different students/groups every year with many different strengths and weaknesses. She has taken many courses and workshops on how to approach students who are struggling with learning disabilities. She is passionate about encouraging students by highlighting their strengths and working on their weaknesses.

As a paraprofessional, she assisted students academically and socially inside as well as outside of the classroom.

She also accompanied students to multiple Speech therapy sessions where she gained knowledge on speech therapy as well as the students she was working with. She has learned programs for literacy such as Fundations and SIPPS. She also assisted in Math programs such as GoMath and Envisions. Her main goal was to assist students and teachers to successfully complete lesson goals.

LOCATION: Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan
TYPES OF SERVICES: Homework help, individualized reading and writing instruction, phonic skills, math problem-solving skills, reading and math comprehension
EXPERTISE: Working one-on-one with students of all different kinds of disabilities, improving reading, writing and math skills
AGES: Preschool-4th grade

Chris

Licensed Special Education Teacher (Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6)

Chris

Licensed Special Education Teacher (Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Chris is a licensed (Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6) special education teacher in a 1st grade ICT classroom in a public school in Brooklyn. He received both his bachelor’s degree in special education and his master’s degree in reading education from Boston University.

Chris has experience teaching in various educational settings and working with a wide variety of children both with and without disabilities. He has worked with students with learning disabilities, processing delays, ADD/ADHD, speech/language impairments, as well as students on the Autism spectrum. Using informal and formal assessment to collect data and learn more about students’ individual needs, Chris is able to create goals for students that they will work towards together during each tutoring session. He has a deep understanding of how literacy skills develop in young children and has an extensive toolbox of strategies to reach students based on their individual learning style. 

Chris uses a multi-sensory approach (i.e. play-doh, sand writing, air writing, magnetic letter tiles) to build up students’ phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and sight word knowledge. He uses expert questioning and discussion strategies to help students develop their comprehension skills. Chris is also able to support and guide students with their writing by focusing on essential skills such as handwriting, spelling, punctuation, and elaboration techniques in both narrative and informational writing.  Chris has experience with using Wilson Fundations, Wilson Learning System, Guided Reading, and Teachers College Reading and Writing Workshop.

Chris is warm, caring, playful, and positive. He believes that motivation, engagement, and fun is key to helping students progress as learners, and individualizes his instruction to meet students’ interests and to target their specific strengths and needs.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Park Slope, Borough Park, Kensington, Flatbush, Midwood, Red Hook, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, Bushwick, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint; Manhattan: Lower East Side, Soho, West Village, Greenwich Village, East Village, Chelsea, Tribeca, Midtown (east/west), Upper East/West Side
TYPE OF SERVICES: Multisensory reading and writing instruction, phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary
EXPERTISE: Improving phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, reading comprehension, writing skills, handwriting, and homework help
AGES: Kindergarten through 2nd grade

Diana

Masters Degree in Teaching, BA in Creative Writing and Comparative Religions

Diana

Masters Degree in Teaching, BA in Creative Writing and Comparative Religions
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Diana Roffman is a tenured Special Education teacher. She is certified in the Wilson Reading Program and specializes in helping reluctant and dyslexic readers and writers become confident, independent readers and writers. 

Diana graduated from Brooklyn College with a Masters Degree in Teaching. She has a BA in Creative Writing and Comparative Religions from Eugene Lang College, as well as an MFA from the University of Missoula in Creative Writing. She has also studied Restorative Justice and Practices and has taken Mindful Schools communication courses, both of which help her create engaging spaces for people to feel comfortable and able to learn. 

Diana currently teaches at Brooklyn Collaborative Studies, K448, in Carroll Gardens. She has taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, 12:1:1 classes, Integrated Co-Teaching classes, and college undergraduates. 

Diana specializes in reading and writing, executive functioning, and organization. She works with learners who have dyslexia, ADHD, ADD, executive functioning disorders, dysgraphia, or learning differences that impact reading and writing. 

For all students, Diana assesses what their needs are, and then hones in on reading and writing skills that would benefit from being developed. Diana uses the Wilson Reading Program when phonics and fluency are impeding a student’s ability to progress as independent readers and writers. She helps students understand the connection between reading and writing, as well as how they can have more agency over their own work.

For younger students (fourth through sixth), Diana often works on reading fluency, pacing and building up reading time. She works with vocabulary and comprehension. Diana helps students develop their ‘reading muscles’ and tenacity around reading work. For writing, Diana takes the work done with reading and connects it to writing. Students work on short answer, essay, and creative writing projects which help them develop their understanding of sentence and paragraph structure. 

For older students (seventh through twelfth), Diana either works with a student to build up their reading level and comprehension, or works with students to develop deeper comprehension skills and more independence around reading and writing. Students work on transition phrases and using content-based vocabulary to help them improve their writing.

Diana believes that learning should be joyful and that students are learning to be lifelong learners who can interact with all different people, projects, ideas, and questions. Diana also believes in meeting the learner where they are and building from there. Diana is an animal lover, an avid reader, amature potter, a poet, and a person who loves exploring Brooklyn by foot. 

Fotini

Master’s Degree in Secondary Education for English

Fotini

Master’s Degree in Secondary Education for English
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Fotini has her Master’s degree in Secondary Education for English and a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Minor in Dance from the College of Staten Island. After earning her English general education certification, Fotini went further and earned a teaching certification for Special Education; she is dual certified. She has worked for the NYC Department of Education for nine years. Fotini started teaching at Franklin D. Roosevelt high school and worked there for seven years. She taught English in self-contained, ICT, ESL, and resource classrooms. She has experience working with students with emotional disorders, speech and language disorders, ADHD, dyslexia, oppositional defiant disorder, and autism. She then wanted to gain more experience with different grade levels and continue growing as an educator so she decided to make a switch and is now currently teaching at Dyker Heights Intermediate School teaching General Education, ICT, and self-contained ELA, Health, and Drama for grades 6-8 for two years now.

As an ELA teacher has helped students from grades 6-12 on all levels with decoding, spelling, reading fluency, reading comprehension skills, and writing skills. She has prepared students for the ELA regents for high school students and ELA state exams for Junior high school students. Fotini has been given the opportunity in learning how to become an educator since she was eighteen years old. She has been teaching Dance for ages three to adult at various studios till today. This has helped her learn how to differentiate in many ways based on level, age, personality, interest, and skills. She has an open and unique teaching philosophy in teaching Dance, English, and Special Education from her years of experience. This has enabled her to be creative with her instruction by using visual, auditory, tactical, and kinesthetic learning styles to engage and reach all students. She is always reaching out to be as diverse and creative as possible to engage students. She adapts and adjusts her instruction to individual learning styles. One of Fotini’s strong attributes is her rapport with her students. She is there for them for their education and their social-emotional support.

Julie S.

M.S., Dual Certification, NYS Certified teacher

Julie S.

M.S., Dual Certification, NYS Certified teacher
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Julie is a NYS Certified teacher with over 20 years teaching experience. She holds dual certification; PK- Grade 6 Common Branch/General Education and Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6.

After changing careers from Business, Julie began teaching 4th grade ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies where she also became familiar with the NY State tests in all subjects. When other opportunities arose to teach Math to 4-5th graders, 6-8th grade Science and 7th grade ELA in the private school where she worked, Julie was excited for the opportunity to work with students at different stages in their academic lives.

Julie joined the NYC Department of Education as a Title 1 Math teacher in 2007 and had the opportunity to work with students in Grades 1-8 in both Brooklyn and Queens providing small group, remedial Math instruction.

While in this program, Julie became very comfortable with different Math series , using manipulatives to aid in conceptual learning and the use of online resources to support Common Core and Next Generation Learning standards in Math, Grades 1-8.

Julie became a SETSS provider after leaving the DOE and has worked with students in grades 1-8 in ELA , Math and the content areas of Science and Social Studies which rely heavily on ELA skills. She works closely with the student’s IEP and works towards all goals and within accommodations to help the students be successful in their classrooms.

Julie is passionate to the “why it makes sense” in Math and not just the steps and rote procedures and works with her students so they have those “oh- that’s why!” moments. Her excitement is something her students see and feel from her as she encourages taking chances and persevering.

She believes strongly in the value and importance of phonics and knows that good readers also make good writers. She knows how to help students organize their thoughts and ideas and uses hands on approaches whenever possible in learning.

Having the experience of working with students at many grade levels has enabled Julie to understand the developmental needs and abilities of her students not only at their current level, but also how and what they need to be prepared for to be successful in their future grades.

Location: Queens, Nassau County, Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Greenpoint
Expertise: strategies for processing, critical thinking, scaffolding and differentiation for different types of learners in Grades 1-8 in Math and ELA/ELA related subject areas.

Christine

Handwriting Specialist and an Occupational Therapist

Christine

Handwriting Specialist and an Occupational Therapist
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Christine is a Handwriting Specialist and an Occupational Therapist who is passionate about teaching the principles and mechanics of handwriting to children of all ages and learning styles. Christine graduated with a masters in occupational therapy from Long Island University in 2014. She currently works in the Department of Education in NYC assisting students with needs in the areas of handwriting, sensory processing, fine motor, and visual perceptual skills. Christine has also worked in a sensory clinic with children ages 2 to 18 addressing several areas of need and helping children reach their goals.

Christine is trained in using the Handwriting without Tears program and applies aspects of TV Teacher and the Zaner-Bloser Method to create individualized learning plans for each student based on their skill level and learning styles.

Inspired by her occupational therapy background, Christine implements sensory modalities to teach pre-writing skills and letter formation in a fun-filled environment, keeping the children engaged and interested. Additionally, Christine uses her expertise to improve children’s pencil grasp through working on fine motor skills and hand manipulation skills.

Christine believes in the importance of having a good posture as it directly impacts learning and handwriting. Christine incorporates posture improving exercises and makes seating recommendations for students as needed during her sessions.

Christine has a long experience in working with children with various learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, auditory processing disorder, and visual motor deficits. She uses different learning techniques to provide children with the needed adaptations based on their learning disability.

Christine also has a long experience in working with children with special needs such as Autism Spectrum disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and other developmental and intellectual disorders. Christine is familiar with using augmented communication devices with non-verbal children. She is trained in the Keyboarding without Tears program and uses various typing programs to teach typing skills to students who are unable to write or form letters. Once children are ready, Christine introduces cursive writing as studies show it improves spelling, fluidity, and speed.

Rachel H.

School Psychologist & Reading Specialist

Rachel H.

School Psychologist & Reading Specialist
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Rachel is a School Psychologist with the New York City Department of Education and certified in the Wilson Reading System. Rachel is passionate about working with children to promote their academic, social, and emotional growth. Her education includes a B.S. in Marketing from the Rutgers School of Business and a Master’s in Education with an Advanced Certificate in School Psychology from CUNY Brooklyn College.

As a School Psychologist, Rachel has worked with a diverse population of general and special education students at the elementary and middle school levels, conducting psycho-educational assessments and providing counseling services. She also fosters collaborative relationships in which children, parents, school staff, and outside agencies can work together to maximize students’ potential and create the most positive school environment that is possible for them.

As a Brooklyn Letters reading tutor, Rachel uses the Wilson (Grade 3 and above) and Fundations (Grades K-2) programs to improve children’s decoding fluency, comprehension, and spelling skills.

She is intent on creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment for her students so they feel most comfortable persisting and challenging themselves. She highlights students’ strengths by tailoring lessons to meet each student’s unique learning style.

Location: MANHATTAN: All areas; BROOKLYN: Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope
Types of Services: Assessment and intervention for children struggling with decoding, reading comprehension, fluency, and spelling; developing and implementing behavior intervention plans
Expertise: Initial reading assessments, individualized reading and spelling intervention, and instruction

Alyssa L.

M.P.S. ED., NY State Certified Early Childhood and Childhood General and Special Education

Alyssa L.

M.P.S. ED., NY State Certified Early Childhood and Childhood General and Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Alyssa is certified in General Education and Special Education for birth through sixth grade. She received her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland and her Master’s Degree from Manhattanville College. Alyssa teaches within the NYC DOE and is going on her fifth year as a Kindergarten Special Education teacher in an Integrated Co-Taught (ICT) class.  She also has experience as a Pre-kindergarten enrichment teacher, and in first and second grade.  Alyssa has worked as a Grade Team Lead, where she differentiated lesson plans for all types of learners based on data and led development sessions for teachers.  She has also worked as a New Teacher Coach, helping new teachers plan engaging and meaningful lessons.  Alyssa has experience working with children who are English Language Learners, have autism, ADHD, behavior disorders, speech and language disorders and other learning differences.

Alyssa prides herself in being a friendly, enthusiastic and caring individual who is constantly striving to gain more knowledge on how to effectively support her students. She believes students learn best when their specific learning styles and strengths are leveraged to assist them in meeting their goals.  Alyssa will track their data and progress to further customize their engaging and hands-on lessons.

Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Alyssa is certified in General Education and Special Education for birth through sixth grade. She received her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland and her Master’s Degree from Manhattanville College. Alyssa teaches within the NYC DOE and is going on her fifth year as a Kindergarten Special Education teacher in an Integrated Co-Taught (ICT) class.  She also has experience as a Pre-kindergarten enrichment teacher, and in first and second grade.  Alyssa has worked as a Grade Team Lead, where she differentiated lesson plans for all types of learners based on data and led development sessions for teachers.  She has also worked as a New Teacher Coach, helping new teachers plan engaging and meaningful lessons.  Alyssa has experience working with children who are English Language Learners, have autism, ADHD, behavior disorders, speech and language disorders and other learning differences.

Alyssa prides herself in being a friendly, enthusiastic and caring individual who is constantly striving to gain more knowledge on how to effectively support her students. She believes students learn best when their specific learning styles and strengths are leveraged to assist them in meeting their goals.  Alyssa will track their data and progress to further customize their engaging and hands-on lessons.

Alyssa aspires to be a teacher who inspires her students to be life-long learners and find confidence and joy in learning!

LOCATIONS: Manhattan, Brooklyn (Downtown, Williamsburg) and Jersey City
TYPES OF SERVICES: Individualized reading, writing, phonics and math instruction for individuals and groups (two to three)
EXPERTISE: Reading, Writing, (Teacher’s College) Phonics instruction (Fundations, Science of Reading based approaches), Grade level math
AGES: birth through second grade

Emily

Masters in Elementary Inclusive Education (Grades 1-6)

Emily

Masters in Elementary Inclusive Education (Grades 1-6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Emily graduated from Fairfield University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Elementary Education. She continued her studies at Teachers College, Columbia University with a Masters’s in Elementary Inclusive Education (Grades 1-6). Emily is currently a second-grade public school teacher with a New York State Professional License. She has 7 years of teaching experience in varying educational settings and student needs. In particular, she has worked closely with English Language Learners, students with ADD and ADHD, and students in need of support with executive functioning skills.

As a Teachers College graduate, she is well versed in their Reading and Writing Curriculum. She incorporates these practices into her everyday teaching, which includes modeling and inquiry-based instruction. Emily believes that teaching begins with establishing a positive student-teacher relationship. She listens to and observes her student’s strengths and interests, and uses this information to tailor instruction to meet her student’s needs and specific learning styles.

Prior to second grade, Emily taught third grade for 5 years. These experiences have allowed her to develop an understanding of New York State standards in upper and lower elementary, as well as develop meaningful ways to prepare her students for the state tests. She has experience using the programs Go-Math, NY Engage, Envisions, and Everyday Math. Emily believes in helping a child conceptually understand mathematical concepts and develop efficient strategies that work for them.

Emily is patient, calm, warm, and enthusiastic. Her goal is to build her students’ confidence, encourage them to take risks, and nurture their natural curiosity and love for learning, all while having fun along the way!

LOCATION: Brooklyn – Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill.
TYPE OF SERVICES: Individualized instruction in reading, phonics, reading comprehension, reading fluency, and math. ELL support, support with homework, and test prep for NY State ELA and Math exams.
EXPERTISE: Inquiry-based math remediation, reading comprehension and writing about reading, teaching elaboration and writing organization techniques for expository and narrative writing, homework help, and test prep.
AGES: 1st – 4th Grade

Rita C.

M.A. and a B.A. in Literature

Rita C.

M.A. and a B.A. in Literature
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Rita is a certified literacy specialist with a M.A. from Bank Street College of Education and a B.A. in Literature from Bard College. She has practiced assessment and tutoring in private and clinical settings. Rita has had classroom experience at Hunter Elementary School as well as in public elementary schools in Queens and Harlem. She has completed Advanced Coursework in Part 3 of Literacy through Multisensory Teaching (LMUST), an Orton Gillingham curriculum developed by Judith Birsh. She has also completed coursework in the Wilson and Fundations programs. Growing up with a dyslexic sister in a time when learning disabilities were less understood, she has personally witnessed the challenges that struggling readers and writers face. She has also had extensive music and computer experience and has worked in online news and in web design and development. Rita combines her experience in the arts, computers, and education to teach literacy skills such as decoding and comprehension strategies. She has also had success helping students prepare for the New York State ELA exams. Her students have fun following a series of short, engaging exercises while they learn the skills they need. Rita strives to help her students gain confidence by teaching them to direct their particular strengths toward the goal of becoming more independent learners and successful readers and writers

Will

Master’s Degree in Special Education

Will

Master’s Degree in Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Will’s passion for teaching was sparked as an undergraduate student at Tulane University during tutoring sessions with ESOL students in New Orleans. Upon graduating, Will taught for three years as a literacy specialist at the International School of Louisiana. As a literacy specialist, Will was trained in a sophisticated phonemic curriculum that incorporated the Wilson Method, Fundations, and Reading Rescue. Over three years, Will worked with twenty-six emerging readers from grades two through five. At the beginning of his tenure, many of Will’s students did not know all of their letter sounds, but within two years every student was reading and writing at or above grade level. Since moving to New York eight years ago Will has earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education, taught elementary school, high school, and served in a leadership position at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. From 2015-2017 Will was a first grade special education teacher at PS123 in Harlem, where he used his experience as a literacy specialist to create individualized literacy plans for his students. Will left that position to teach and serve as the elementary school associate dean at Academics West, a specialized school for students with severe behavior-related learning disabilities. In 2019, Will would return to Harlem to participate in a program that used an SAT based curriculum to support students in Math and English. Will was excited about this program since he had accrued extensive experience as a test prep specialist during his time in New York and was excited to work with high schoolers in a classroom setting.

Unfortunately the program was terminated during the onset of the pandemic, but Will values the one and half years he got to spend at the Harlem Children’s Zone, and he was able to help many students secure their dream of college admittance. Will is a big proponent of personalized education plans because everyone’s learning style is different. Over the last four years, Will has also tutored students in the following subjects: elementary math and english, middle school math, english, and social studies, ISEE prep, PSAT prep, SAT/ACT prep, AP English, and AP History. Will has experience working with students at all levels, and has worked with students with ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism. Will is currently a rising star in sports media and is pursuing his ultimate goals of making television and movies. Will spends most of his free time with his three year old daughter, and one year old son and/or watching basketball.

LOCATION: North New Jersey
TYPE OF SERVICES: Individual tutoring, group (2-3 children),
EXPERTISE: ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Gifted and Talented
AGES: Elementary school through high school

Jessica M.

New York State Certified General Education Teacher for Grades K-5

Jessica M.

New York State Certified General Education Teacher for Grades K-5
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Jessica is a New York State Certified General Education Teacher for Grades K-5 and a licensed New Jersey Elementary School Teacher for Grades K-5 who received her Masters Degree in TESOL. She has been a NYC teacher for over ten years in grades 2-4. and has experienced multiple curriculums and all subjects throughout her years as a NYC teacher in a public school setting. During this time, Jessica has modified daily assessments to differentiate needs according to each student’s academic and linguistic proficiency levels. Clear goals are aligned to ensure academic needs are mastered.

With her training in teaching English as a second language (TESOL), she specializes in helping non-native speakers of all sociocultural and academic backgrounds to develop the confidence, general grammar, vocabulary, and colloquial terms in their development of the English language. She feels it is her obligation to build the confidence of her new language learners by practicing the use of English in multiple settings, such as phonics, ELA, math, social studies, and science. Preparing students to communicate clearly and comfortably with their English-speaking peers is the ultimate goal. 

Jessica is trained in Orton-Gillingham, Fundations, iReady, ReadyGen, GoMath, Reading A-Z. She uses these instructional tools to assess, modify and execute each student’s academic needs.

LOCATION: Brooklyn, New Jersey
TYPES OF SERVICES: Grades 2nd-4th – ELA, math, Orton-Gillingham (phonics), reading comprehension, fluency, and writing. Grades 3rd and 4th – State Test Prep/Test Sophistication (ELA)
AGES: Elementary School grades 2nd – 4th

Janeese C.

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master’s Degree in Special Education

Janeese C.

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master’s Degree in Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Janeese earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education and her Master’s degree in special education from University of Hartford. Over the last decade, Janeese has taught students from all ages in NYC public schools. She is also trained in specialized teaching strategies for students with disabilities. Janeese is currently a fourth grade special education teacher. Janeese has also worked as a scorer on the Common Core New York State math and ELA exams. Additionally, Janeese obtained her school building and district leader license from the College of Saint Rose. She also serves her school as a coach and ensures educators are promoting equity in their teaching.

Janeese always understood the importance of education and has a deep passion for learning. When Janeese realized that some children learned differently, she knew it was her job to lend a helping hand. She grew up in Rockaway Beach. This helped her to realize that people were like seashells, some more fragile than others and they would need extra care. Janeese decided to study special education.

Janeese was voted Community Board Three’s teacher of the year in 2019. Janeese specializes in using the science of reading to help students with comprehension. She enjoys fostering the love of mathematics by teaching lifelong problem-solving skills. Janeese enjoys using manipulatives, visual aids, and explicit models to guide her pedagogy. Janeese currently works with students with emotional disorders, speech and language disorders, dyslexia, executive functioning disorders, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and students with Autism. To ensure all learners succeed, she adapts and adjusts her instruction to individual learning styles. Janeese enjoys using multimedia platforms and innovative tools to create a context for deeper understanding. She believes every child is unique and deserves a caring, inspiring, and engaging atmosphere to grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially. She believes positive elementary education is essential to creating successful life-long learners.

LOCATION: Queens/Brooklyn
TYPE OF SERVICES: One-on-one academic support, Group academic support,
EXPERTISE: Speech-language delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavioral and Emotional disorders, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Multiple disabilities
AGES: Preschool through Middle School

Clint K.

Master’s in General and Special Education

Clint K.

Master’s in General and Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Clint is a certified Childhood Education and Students With Disabilities teacher with almost a decade of experience in the field of education. His education includes a B.S. from Siena College and a Master’s in General and Special Education (grades 1-6) from Touro College. Clint believes empathy, patience, and relationships are the gateway to helping students learn. Clint has worked as an ICT teacher, general education homeroom teacher, and TESOL teacher. Clint has experience working with a variety of students, including students with specific reading, writing, and math learning disabilities, speech and language delays, ADD, ADHD, and general learning disabilities. Clint believes that since no individual is the same, no education plan is the same for any student. Clint can help students struggling with decoding/encoding, fluency, reading, and reading comprehension. He works with students who need support in phonemic awareness, letter/sound identification, blending sounds, as well as guided reading, reading comprehension skills, and writing.

In the area of math, Clint has experience working with second to fifth-grade math curricula. He is knowledgeable in helping students enhance their problem-solving skills and master mathematical concepts through the use of tangible manipulatives and visual aids. He makes sure that students have a strong conceptual understanding of mathematical fundamentals before moving on to more advanced material or strategies.

LOCATION: Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
TYPES OF SERVICES: Multisensory Reading Instruction, Multisensory Math Instruction, Formal and Informal Reading Assessments, Interventions, Behavioral Interventions.
EXPERTISE: Working with children with specific reading, writing, and math learning disabilities, working with children with ADD and ADHD, NYS Exam preparation, NYS common core tutoring.

Shana

New York State licensed Special Education Teacher and Teacher of Speech Improvement, Teacher of Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH), Speech Teacher for the Department of Education

Shana

New York State licensed Special Education Teacher and Teacher of Speech Improvement, Teacher of Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH), Speech Teacher for the Department of Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Shana is a New York State licensed Special Education Teacher and Teacher of Speech Improvement. She is certified as a Teacher of Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH) and is currently in her tenth year working as a Speech Teacher for the Department of Education. Shana received both her Bachelors of Science Degree in Communication Disorders and her Masters of Arts Degree in Special Education from Queens College, New York.

Shana’s extensive training includes Orton-Gilllingham, Preventing Academic Failure (PAF), Wilson Fundations, Lexia Core5 Reading, Heggerty Phonemic Awareness, Responsive Classroom, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She uses her expertise to help her students improve in their academic levels, receptive and expressive language, articulation, phonological awareness, decoding, pragmatic/social language, fluency, and executive functioning skills. Shana believes that the key to successful learning is to find the modality that best fits each learner, and she is committed to create those experiences to encourage life-long learners.

Shana was a first grade classroom teacher in a private school for nine years with a strong focus on teaching math, reading, and writing skills. Her teaching methods are creative and differentiated so that all students, regardless of their academic level, are engaged and challenged appropriately. Many parents of former students have reached out to Shana to thank her for setting the foundation to their child’s academic success and ensuing confidence.

Shana also worked as a lower school and early childhood administrator in a private school for ten years where she was known for her professionalism, warmth, and commitment to individualized instruction. She was an integral part of bringing to the school International Dot Day based on Peter H. Reynolds’ book, The Dot, to embrace creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. She has been compared to the beloved Mr. Slinger character from Kevin Henkes’ books, an exceptional educator who encourages, inspires, and supports students.

LOCATIONS: Bronx NY, Washington Heights NY, Bergen County NJ
TYPE OF SERVICES: Tutor for math, reading and writing, parent consultations, speech and language therapy
EXPERTISE: Math, reading and writing skills, speech and language delays, receptive and expressive language disorders, pragmatic/social language, executive functioning skills
AGES: Preschool and school-age (elementary-high school)

Julia B.

M.S.Ed. in Literacy Education (Grades 1-6), Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education (Grades 1-6)

Julia B.

M.S.Ed. in Literacy Education (Grades 1-6), Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education (Grades 1-6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Julia graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia with a Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education (Grades 1-6).  She then received her M.S.Ed. in Literacy Education (Grades 1-6) from Nazareth College.  Julia has over eight years of experience working with students with ASD, ADHD, processing delays, and learning disabilities.  During this time, she has taught in a general education setting (ages 5-12), special education settings (ages 4-14), and as a literacy specialist (worked with ages 4-14).  Throughout her years of teaching, she has utilized a multitude of programs including Orton Gillingham, Wilson Fundations Program, Fountas & Pinnell, Reading Street, Wonders, SPIRE, GoMath, and Math Expressions. 

During her individual reading sessions as a literacy specialist, she first assesses the student’s decoding, encoding, fluency, and comprehension skills and uses the assessment results to guide future sessions.  Once she has a full picture of the student’s abilities and has built a relationship with them, she then chooses a curriculum that best suits the needs of the student.  She believes in using a well-balanced approach that encompasses the Five Pillars of Reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency).  Individual math sessions follow the same trajectory and include the use of manipulatives and hands-on learning techniques to give the student a multi-sensory learning experience.

Julia’s personal teaching philosophy is rooted in creating an environment where students feel comfortable celebrating their successes, challenging themselves, and becoming life-long learners.  She believes that all students have unique learning styles and through individualized instruction that supports different learning styles, they can reach their full potential.

Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Julia graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia with a Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education (Grades 1-6).  She then received her M.S.Ed. in Literacy Education (Grades 1-6) from Nazareth College.  Julia has over eight years of experience working with students with ASD, ADHD, processing delays, and learning disabilities. 

During this time, she has taught in a general education setting (ages 5-12), special education settings (ages 4-14), and as a literacy specialist (worked with ages 4-14).  Throughout her years of teaching, she has utilized a multitude of programs, including Orton Gillingham, Wilson Fundations Program, Fountas & Pinnell, Reading Street, Wonders, SPIRE, GoMath, and Math Expressions.  During her individual reading sessions as a literacy specialist, she first assesses the student’s decoding, encoding, fluency, and comprehension skills and uses the assessment results to guide future sessions.  

Once she has a full picture of the student’s abilities and has built a relationship with them, she then chooses a curriculum that best suits the needs of the student. 

She believes in using a well-balanced approach that encompasses the Five Pillars of Reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency).  Individual math sessions follow the same trajectory and include the use of manipulatives and hands-on learning techniques to give the student a multi-sensory learning experience. Julia’s personal teaching philosophy is rooted in creating an environment where students feel comfortable celebrating their successes, challenging themselves, and becoming life-long learners.  She believes that all students have unique learning styles and through individualized instruction that supports different learning styles, they can reach their full potential.

Beyond the classroom, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, exploring new neighborhoods in NYC, and reading.  She also has experience tutoring and prepping multiple students aged 12-15 (including students with disabilities) for their ISEE exams.  

LOCATION: Brooklyn- Park Slope, South Slope, Gowanus, Prospect Heights, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene
MANHATTAN – FIDI, SOHO, East Village, Lower East Side, NOHO, Tribeca, Gramercy Park, West Village, Chelsea, Murray Hill, Midtown, Upper East Side
TYPE OF SERVICES: Individualized reading and math instruction, developing study skills, support with homework, New York State ELA exam prep
EXPERTISE: Working with students with disabilities to improve reading comprehension, phonemic awareness, decoding, and encoding skills.  Has experience writing and implementing IEP documentation.
AGES: Literacy and Math ages 5-12

Alicia

Master’s Degree in Elementary Education

Alicia

Master’s Degree in Elementary Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Alicia holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Hampshire. She has worked as an educator in various settings, from public and independent schools to tutoring small groups and providing 1-on-1 services within students’ homes. Alicia specializes in teaching young children, toddlers through 3rd grade. Within her repertoire of experience, she has learned how to differentiate instruction, create safe learning environments, and assess and support students across all domains of development.

When teaching math, Alicia incorporates manipulatives such as ten frames and double-sided counters. She uses follow-up questions in response to a student’s work to further support their understanding. Equally important are the discussions she leads on math topics, which create connections across different concepts, support greater retention, and encourage reflection on one’s learning (metacognition). Alicia has utilized the Math in Focus and Bridges in Math programs.

Alicia incorporates multisensory reading activities that use sight, hearing, and touch for deeper learning. Furthermore, these multisensory activities often feel like play for a child, allowing them to engage and connect with their learning naturally. Alicia supports every child by curating book collections that motivate and inspire them. Alicia wants children to develop a love for reading and does so by finding fiction and non-fiction books that her students relate to and find interesting. She has utilized the Wilson / Fundations phonics program and Heggerty’s phonemic awareness program.

She takes the time to build a rapport with every child, getting to know their interests and guiding them to find confidence in their skills. Alicia holds space for the child to let their curiosity, fascination, and inquisitive nature guide the lessons, creating an engaging, unique, individualized experience for every child. She prioritizes fostering strong and positive relationships with families and her students. Alicia believes all children are curious and eager to learn, and she loves to facilitate learning in ways that support their needs and foster their interests and skills.

Alicia currently teaches at an independent school in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. She specializes in reading, writing, phonics, and math instruction. Alicia has experience working with students with learning differences and knows how to best benefit those students by structuring individualized education plans. She is passionate about education and finds working with her students and their families to be deeply fulfilling.

LOCATION: Queens (Astoria, Long Island City), Manhattan (Chelsea, West Village, East Village, Upper East Side), Brooklyn (Greenpoint, Williamsburg)
TYPE OF SERVICES: Tutoring, homework help
EXPERTISE: Personalized instruction; Multisensory reading, phonics, writing, and math instruction; Early emergent literacy; Executive functioning skills coaching
AGES: Toddlers – 3rd grade

Brian

MAT in Early Childhood Education, Certificate in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)

Brian

MAT in Early Childhood Education, Certificate in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Brian is certified to teach in Grades 1-6. He has spent the previous eight years teaching children in Ecuador, Azerbaijan, China, and New York City. His students have ranged from pre-K to fifth grade, representing a spectrum of cultures, languages, and abilities. He is passionate about making education a fun and rewarding endeavor for children while encouraging them to take ownership of their own learning goals.

Brian  earned his Masters in Teaching at the University of Georgia with a program focus on constructivist principles within early childhood education. These principles guide his lesson plans which create experiences for students to construct their understanding throughimportant ‘A-ha’ moments. Brian also recognizes the important role of direct and explicit instruction, which is part of a balanced approach to helping any child grow to their potential.

Brian has taught a variety of learners in both general education and ICT classrooms. His students have had speech and language delays, ADD/ADHD, and English as an additional language. In literacy, he has extensive experience implementing the Success for All Stepping Stones and Reading Roots programs and believes in the power of word work in the pursuit of mastery. Brian currently teaches first grade for a successful charter school network. When he isn’t teaching he enjoys birdwatching with his fiancee, playing guitar, and taking photographs.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Greenwood, Sunset Park, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Bay Ridge, Gowanus, Cobble Hill, Boreum Hill, Red Hook, Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown, Carroll Gardens, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights Manhattan: Financial District, Lower East Side, Seaport, Tribeca, Civic Center, Lower Manhattan, SOHO
TYPES OF SERVICES: phonemic awareness, letters and sounds, sight words, decoding/encoding, fluency, reading comprehension
EXPERTISE: multi sensory literacy and math instruction, students with IEPs,
Ages: Pre-K – 5th grade

Carlos

Bachelor’s degree in French and Francophone Studies, a DUEF level C1 diploma, and an M.S. ED

Carlos

Bachelor’s degree in French and Francophone Studies, a DUEF level C1 diploma, and an M.S. ED
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Carlos is a resolute, multilingual educator with seven years of teaching experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton in French and Francophone Studies, a DUEF level C1 diploma from the Université de Rennes II, and an M.S. ED from City College in Bilingual Education. Carlos prides himself in accommodating the varied learning styles and aptitudes of his students in his sessions. He believes students learn best when they are understood and when learning materials are adjusted to meet their needs. This has prompted him to cultivate a safe space so students can openly discuss the content of the sessions and solidify their learning. He consistently makes use of visual aids and varies the amount of structured and creative assignments so students have ample opportunities to exercise their creativity and formulate their arguments. Carlos designs his instruction around student interests and provides them with engaging assignments that speak to them.

Carlos has taught fourth grade in French in a dual-language program for seven years. His instructional expertise covers all elementary subjects including math, writing, grammar, fluency and comprehension, and state test-prep. He has experience working with students with ADHD, behavior disorder, and anxiety. Beyond the elementary level, Carlos has provided students with language instruction in French and Spanish to target the areas of oral expression and comprehension, fluency, composition, and the study of literature. Carlos has also taught English as a new language to children and adults.

In addition to his rich experience as an educator, Carlos enjoys being a student himself. He is actively pursuing a Doctoral degree in French from the CUNY Graduate Center where he seeks to expand understanding of other people’s lived experience through the study of world literature. His primary academic interests include life writing, translation, and contemporary francophone and hispanophone literature. He is also an avid soccer player, cyclist, cinephile and (vegetarian) foodie.

LOCATIONS: BROOKLYN: Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope Windsor Terrace, Sunset Park. MANHATTAN: Upper East Side, Murray Hill, Lower East Side
TYPE OF SERVICES: i.e. Individual therapy, group (2-3 children), Parent consultations, Test preparation, Conversational tutoring (foreign language)
EXPERTISE: i.e. Spanish, English, French Language instruction, Elementary curriculum (reading, writing, math, test-prep), ENL instruction
AGES: Upper elementary school (3-5) – Adults

Evanthia

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (Pre-K-6), Master of Science Degree in Special Education

Evanthia

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (Pre-K-6), Master of Science Degree in Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Evanthia received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (Pre-K-6) from Brooklyn College and then completed her Master of Science Degree in Special Education at Touro College. She has over 20 years experience working as a tutor and as an early childhood teacher in various settings such as ICT and Dual Language. She has extensive experience working with children with ADD/ADHD, speech and language impairments, and dyslexia.

Evanthia has solid training in the Orton-Gillingham Approach, Wilson Fundations Program, Handwriting Without Tears, SRSD, ReadyGen, Teachers College Reading and Writing Project.

She is also trained in Fountas and Pinnell Reading Assessment. Evanthia believes in differentiated instruction and tailors each lesson to meet the needs of each student. She uses multi-sensory lessons to help students with phonemic awareness, letter name/sound ID, decoding/encoding, sight word recognition, fluency, and comprehension. Evanthia is a patient, and nurturing educator that will help your child grow as a reader, writer and learner.

LOCATIONS: Brooklyn: Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights,
Queens: Whitestone, Flushing, Bayside, Fresh Meadows, Douglaston, Little Neck
Long Island: Great Neck, Manhasset, Roslyn, New Hyde Park
TYPES OF SERVICES: Orton-Gillingham, decoding/encoding, sight-word recognition, leveled literacy instruction, reading fluency and comprehension, writing, math
EXPERTISE: Orton-Gillingham, reading readiness, decoding/encoding support, improving reading fluency and comprehension, strengthening writing skills
AGES: 3K through elementary school

Julia J.

Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies, Dual M.S.Ed in General and Special Education for grades 1-6

Julia J.

Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies, Dual M.S.Ed in General and Special Education for grades 1-6
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Julia graduated from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies. She then joined the Teach For America Corps, where she taught grades kindergarten- fourth grade, while obtaining her Dual M.S.Ed in General and Special Education for grades 1-6. Julia has 4 years experience teaching whole group and small group instruction. During this time, she has taught SEL, writing, math, science and guided literacy in both the General and Special Education setting. She has experience with reading programs like Amplify, CKLA, iReady, NWEA, STEP tool and F&P. In math, she has used tools like Zearn, iReady, NWEA to analyze and target instruction to student needs.

In her most current role, she is a Learning Specialist in which she solely focuses on students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), for students with processing disorders, learning disabilities and Speech/ Language delays. She uses consistent data tracking to tailor instructional plans that will achieve a student’s IEP and personal goals. Julia progress monitors all of her students frequently to understand what concepts they can grasp and which they need more at bats.

Julia believes in enhancing student’s strengths to target their weaknesses. She knows all learners learn differently, regardless if there is a classification or not. Because of this, she believes students need multiple ways of learning to make concepts stick. This begins with the reteaching of foundational skills that are personalized to the student. To introduce new standards and topics, Julia uses: manipulatives to enhance tactile learning, visuals with graph paper and colored pencils to draw out word problems, audio tools like rhythm and music to access problems through auditory processing, diagrams and colored pencils, and games using real life scenarios to encourage authentic engagement and understanding of math and reading concepts.

She has used Fundations and Wilson’s to target students’ fluency and phonemic awareness needs at the elementary level. It has helped provide a set curriculum that includes hands-on resources for students to engage with while learning the fundamentals of reading and writing.

In her free time, Julia loves seeing theater in NYC, reading, trying new restaurants, and photography.

LOCATION: Brooklyn (Williamsburg, Park Slope, Crown Heights, Greenpoint) and Manhattan (all of lower Manhattan up to Upper East and West Side)
TYPE OF SERVICES: i.e. Individual tutoring in math and reading, group (2-3 children), state exam test prep
EXPERTISE: i.e. Learning Disabilities, Speech-language delays, Special Education
AGES: i.e. Kindergarten through 6th grade

Maribell G.

Bachelor of Science in Economics, Bachelor of Science in Education, Certificate in Special Education

Maribell G.

Bachelor of Science in Economics, Bachelor of Science in Education, Certificate in Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Maribell received her Bachelor of Science in Economics at the University at Albany. Soon after, she received her Bachelor of Science in Education at Hunter College. Having realized her passion for teaching, she went ahead and attained her Certificate in Special Education. Having worked for years with students of different needs, Maribell has compile a vast list of unique experiences. She has experience teaching grades 2-5, with and without learning differences. She taught Second Grade students for three years; two of which she was the lead Special Education Classroom Teacher. Her fourth year of teaching was completed in the United Arab Emirates, where she taught 62 Third Grade English Language Learners (between two homeroom classes, both virtually and in-person).

Maribell is currently a Primary Years Program Educator at a private school in New York City. She has been a fifth grade PYP teacher for two years, and her experience has evolved as she has taken on the Singapore Math curriculum where she focuses on reading comprehension and in-depth understanding around mastery-based problem-solving. While mathematics brings her genuine joy, Maribell has a passion for watching her students grow in all subject areas. Her approach to teaching revolves around a focus of the “WHY” within academic and social contexts. She believes that when a student understands the reason behind an assignment, particular problem, or situation, their goals become feasible.

Maribell’s previous experience also includes acting as a Clinical Instructor at a Charter School in East Harlem. In this role, she modeled how to modify lesson plans to fit the needs of students with distinct needs within new educator’s classrooms. She also served as a Grade Team Leader where she facilitated meetings to guide language arts curriculum planning. Maribell has experience working with students who are autistic, have ADHD, ADD, specific learning disabilities, emotional disturbance/trauma, and language impairments. She is certified to work with students of all 13 disability disorders. She believes that teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, often tells others that she does not feel as though she is going to work, but rather enjoying her day-to-day life as an educator and mentor.

LOCATION: MANHATTAN: Battery Park City, Tribeca, FiDi, all neighborhoods below 100th Street (including the East and West side)
BROOKLYN: Downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope.
NEW JERSEY: Hoboken, Jersey City
TYPE OF SERVICES: one on one tutoring, Small group tutoring (2-3 students), test prep
EXPERTISE: Elementary math, reading comprehension, writing about reading, Singapore Mathematics, vocabulary, fluency, writing, spelling patterns and word recognition.
LANGUAGES: English and Spanish (fluent, reading, and writing)
AGES: Grades 1 – 6, open to other ages depending on client’s preferences and needs

Lillian

MA, NYS Certified in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities, Grades 1-6

Lillian

MA, NYS Certified in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities, Grades 1-6
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Lillian has been teaching for twelve years teaching both 5th and 6th grade ICT for students with mild to moderate disabilities, in a 2nd-3rd grade self-contained classroom for students with moderate disabilities, and currently math and reading intervention for general education students. She is currently the Special Education Liaison and Lead IEP teacher at a public elementary school in Manhattan. She holds a BA from Tufts University in Peace and Justice Studies and a dual MA from New York University in Child Education and Special Education.

Lillian believes that all students have the capacity to learn, and it is the job of educators to use research-based methods partnered with compassion, understanding, and games. She supports students with reading, writing, and math skills, as well as executive functioning strategies. By getting to know students on a personal level, Lillian is able to connect the material to the individual learner and find the best methods to strengthen areas of need. When tutoring in math, Lillian focuses on building number sense and fluency with number talks and games, while simultaneously strengthening conceptual understanding using math manipulatives and tools. For literacy, Lillian focuses on building strong phonics and phonological awareness through multisensory appraochess to grow students’ decoding and encoding abilities. Self-perception is often a significant piece of learning challenges, so she also focuses on building student self-confidence and advocacy.

Lillian has experience working with students with many different types of learning challenges including: Specific Learning Disabilities, ADHD/ADD, executive functioning needs, ASD, dyscalculia, and other learning issues.

She has proficiency with Fundations, TC Reading and Writing Workshop, Heggerty, SPIRE and other literacy programs. For math, she participated in the Algebra For All NYC initiative and has proficiency with EngageNY and Metamorphosis strategies.

In her free time, Lillian enjoys reading, going to concerts, prestige TV, and gardening. She is originally from Maine and now lives in Northern Brooklyn.

LOCATION: Brooklyn (preference for trains off L or G but flexible), Manhattan (Downtown or Midtown), and Queens (Long Island City)
TYPE OF SERVICES: Individual therapy, parent consultations
EXPERTISE: learning difficulties in literacy and/or math; attentional needs, executive functioning, mild ASD
AGES: Grades K-7

Gabrielle

Master’s in General Education (1-6), Special Education certification (1-6)

Gabrielle

Master’s in General Education (1-6), Special Education certification (1-6)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Gabrielle is an experienced special education teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience. She has taught kindergarten – 5th grade in general education, integrated co-teaching, and self contained settings. She has a Master’s in General Education (1-6) and Special Education certification (1-6) from Hunter College: School of Education. She is in school for her School Building Leader and District Leader Certification through the CITE program at The College of St.Rose.

Gabrielle is an elementary school teacher (K-5) with experience tutoring students (one-on-one and in small groups) and mentoring novice teachers. She provides a nurturing and caring learning experience that allows students to engage in productive struggles and become critical thinkers. She teaches students with diverse backgrounds and abilities (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Speech and Language Impairment) and has a strong rapport with students and families. She believes all students can and will learn and thrive in society when provided with excellent instruction, tools, and resources based on their needs. She gives students skills that can be transferable to different areas of their everyday lives.

Gabrielle’s expertise includes phonics, phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, reading comprehension, writing, and math instruction for individual and small groups (2-3 students). She is trained in Fountas and Pinnell administration, Fundations, Acadience, Reading Rescue, SPIRE, Phonics for Reading, Reading Mastery, Teacher’s College Reading and Writing, Wit and Wisdom, Envisions, Eureka Math, Amplify Science, iReady, Zearn.

In addition to her instructional experience as an educator, she is a curricula planner, grade leader, instructional leadership, and school leadership team member. She is committed to student growth and providing them with the skills needed to be successful. She is adventurous and enjoys learning new things, traveling, trying different foods, hiking, biking, skating, and dancing.

LOCATION:
MANHATTAN: Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Bronx, Riverdale, Yonkers, Westchester;
NEWJERSEY: Newark, Irvington, East Orange, West Orange, Bloomfield, Montclair, Belleville, Livingston, Millburn, Bogota, Edgewater, Fort Lee, East Rutherford, Hackensack, Paramus,
TYPE OF SERVICES: Administration and interpretation of literacy and math informal and formal assessments, literacy and math instruction for individuals and groups (2-3 students), Response to intervention services, reading fluency and comprehension, progress monitoring, writing instruction, building strength and knowledge of math concepts (grades k-3)

Joan M.

Masters degree in early childhood education, special education, and psychology

Joan M.

Masters degree in early childhood education, special education, and psychology
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Joan is an accomplished early childhood educator with decades teaching, supervising teachers, and working collaboratively with parents. She is a graduate of Hunter College with degrees in early childhood education, special education, and psychology. Joan has worked as part of an interdisciplinary team at The Stanley S. Lamm Institute right out of college and has had a successful career as an early childhood administrator and program director. Joan worked at The Little Room/Brooklyn Heights Montessori School, the premier mainstreaming early childhood program in NYC for 20 years. In addition, Joan has been practicing yoga all her adult life and has developed yoga workshops for teachers and related service providers intitled “Yoga: A Forum for Creating Early Childhood Curriculum.” Joan has extensive experience working with students with ASD, speech and language delay, ADHD, anxiety, and behavior disorders.

Joan is currently working as a CPSE Liaison, Intake Coordinator, Teacher Mentor at an early childhood special education program in Brooklyn. Previous administrative positions include CPSE Evaluation Coordinator, SEIT Supervision and Parent Liaison. Joan has worked as a SEIT provider for many years in private and public preschool settings, as well as in home.

Joan is a highly skilled at assessing and evaluating preschool students and equally talented at developing meaningful, creative intervention strategies and curriculum. Joan’s work with children and families is greatly influenced f Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Dr. Stanley S. Lamm, Dr. Margaret Mahler, and Dr. Maria Montessori. Her methods of instruction reflects the following approach: observing the child’s play, providing creative and developmentally appropriate and challenging tasks, continuous ongoing assessment and prioritizing the emotional/social/ interactive play needs of the child.

LOCATION: BROOKLYN: Park Slope and Windsor Terrace
TYPE OF SERVICES: Individual therapy, group (2-3 children), speech-language evaluations, parent consultations
EXPERTISE: Speech-language delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Feeding, and Swallowing Disorders
AGES: birth through elementary school

Renee P.

New York State Elementary Education N-6

Renee P.

New York State Elementary Education N-6
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Renee is a veteran elementary education educator with over 30 years of experience in a New York City Department of Education school. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University and her Master of Arts degree from Adelphi University.

Renee taught grades 3 and 4 for more than 20 years. She has also focused her teaching on Math Intervention for students in grades 3 through 6 within small group settings. She establishes clear goals utilizing the mathematics program being used by the the student. She strives to help her students develop conceptual understanding as well as procedural skills. Renee fosters communication regarding their thinking and problem solving strategies to develop a deeper understanding of math. Renee encourages students to use multiple forms of representations, ie: visual representations, drawings, diagrams, graphs, and manipulatives as tools for solving problems. Renee strives for her students to love math.

In addition to teaching, Renee has worked as the testing coordinator for the NYS ELA, Math and Science assessments (grades 3-5). She has set-up and administered the NYS Science Performance Test for grade 4. Renee has coordinated a Saturday Academy for test preparation and a schoolwide Math night for students and their families. She has mentored new teachers and coached staff members on math instruction. Renee was the grade level team leader and has provided professional development on various math programs as well as testing procedures.

Location: Nassau County and Western Suffolk County
Type of Service: Test prep, Math instruction, Reading Comprehension skills
Expertise: Elementary education
Ages: Elementary school level

Jennifer

M.S. ED., NYS Certified Childhood General (Grades 1-6), English as New Language (Grades K-12)

Jennifer

M.S. ED., NYS Certified Childhood General (Grades 1-6), English as New Language (Grades K-12)
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Jennifer is dual certified in general education and ENL with over 10 years teaching experience. She has experience working with general education, English as a New Language, integrated co-teaching (ICT) classroom and students with autism. Jennifer earned a Masters Degree in Childhood Education (Grade 1-6) and an Advanced Certificate in English as a New Language (ENL) from Hofstra University and holds a bachelor degree from Hunter College in New York. She holds a professional teaching certificate for both Childhood Education and ENL. Jennifer is also a certified Register Behavior Technician (RBT) from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Jennifer will identify the best learning approach for your child. She uses multisensory-based teaching modalities to teach phonics, phonological awareness, letter/sound identification, decoding/encoding, fluency, reading comprehension, and writing. Most of all, guiding students as they hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes. Teaching fundamental decoding will improve word reading, text comprehension, and spelling. Jennifer is also an ENL teacher; she scaffolds her instruction using visuals, word banks, sentence starters and sentence frames in order to teach the content. She will align grade level standards to each individual and implement IEP goals that are currently in place. She can work with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder; identify the child preferences and use positive reinforcement to teach specific skills.

LOCATION: Brooklyn: Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Park Slope, Bensonhurst and Sunset Park
TYPE OF SERVICES: Initial, Medial, and Final informal reading and writing assessments, Extra support with Homework Help, Administration and Analyze of formal and informal Reading Assessments for individual students and groups (2-3 students), teach English as a second language
EXPERTISE: Working with children who have difficulty with phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, encoding, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing (composition and handwriting), homework help and building positive study habits. Jennifer can also work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is also a fluent speaker in conversational Cantonese.
AGES: Kindergarten through 3rd Grade

Anyelis

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Dual Masters in Science of Education in General and Special Education for grades 1-6

Anyelis

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Dual Masters in Science of Education in General and Special Education for grades 1-6
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Anyelis graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She then joined The Center of Autism and Related Disorder, where she conducted Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy to children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also coached therapists and families on how to conduct ABA and created individualized programs for scholars, while obtaining her Dual Masters in Science of Education in General and Special Education for grades 1-6. Anyelis taught Kindergarten for over 5 years with experience in Pre-K, and then became the first Multilingual Learner Specialist in her school. 

During this time, she has taught socio-emotional learning, writing, math, science, social studies, read aloud, math stories and targeted literacy in both the General and Special Education setting. In her numerous roles, Anyelis has offered growth to all students in various settings including the classroom, in small group and one-on-one intervention. This includes students who struggle with reading, writing, and math as well as those who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), executive functioning disorders, behavioral challenges, and speech and language impairment. Individualizing and fostering great joy on school curricula to match the requirements and problems of the clients with whom she works is one of Anyelis’ most amazing abilities. 

She has been trained and has experience with the following Math and Language Arts programs like Amplify, CKLA, iReady, NWEA, STEP tool, F&P, and Zearn to analyze and target instruction to student needs. Anyelis is also trained on data collection of academic progress and behavioral progress, as well as creating Behavioral Intervention Plans and  collecting Functional Behavioral Analysis data. Her experience broadened her understanding of teaching techniques as well as her capacity for adaptability, individualization, acceptance and appreciation for a variety of cultures, beliefs, and learning styles.

Through enthusiastic affirmation of each student’s unique potential, Anyelis thrives to inspire all of her students to pursue lifelong learning. Anyelis has witnessed how this approach promotes independence and ownership in students. She uses a range of tactics through tailored training to fulfill the requirements of her students. She works with children to improve not just their literacy abilities but also their confidence and self-esteem so they are ready to use what they have learned back in their classes.

Anyelis enjoys going to museums, trying out new restaurants, doing adventures activities, event decorating and crafting.

LOCATION: MANHATTAN – Battery Park City, Central Midtown, Chelsea, Chinatown, Clinton, East Village, Financial District, Flatiron District, Garment District, Gramercy Park, Greenwich Village, Harlem Hell’s Kitchen, Hudson Square, Kips Bay, Little Italy, Lower East Side, Midtown, Murray Hill, SOHO, Sutton Place, Theatre District, Times Square, TriBeCa, Turtle Bay, Union Square, Upper East Side, West Village
BROOKLYN: Williamsburg
Online
TYPE OF SERVICES: Individual therapy, literacy and math instruction for individual students and groups (2-3 children), ABA therapy
EXPERTISE: Early childhood education, special education, social/emotional development. Early Literacy: Phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling fluency, reading comprehension, writing and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
AGES: birth through elementary school

Lindsay

Dual Masters Degree in Childhood Education and Special Education

Lindsay

Dual Masters Degree in Childhood Education and Special Education
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters
Reading Specialists and Tutors, Brooklyn Letters

Lindsay is a dedicated and compassionate elementary Learning Specialist and Literacy Coach with over 12 years of experience teaching students in both public and private school settings across NYC. With a genuine passion for helping students with diverse learning needs, Lindsay has honed her expertise in providing specialized instruction and support to students who require additional assistance in developing their literacy skills.

Since earning a dual Masters Degree in Childhood Education and Special Education from New York University, Lindsay has taught students with a range of abilities and learning challenges. This includes students with dyslexia, speech and language impairments, ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorders andexecutive functioning difficulties, as well as students without disabilities.

Lindsay firmly believes every child can learn and excel when given the appropriate tools and strategies to support their specific learning style. She understands that confidence and motivation play a pivotal role in the learning process, which is why she delivers instruction in a fun, multi-sensory way to allow for optimal engagement and growth. She focuses on building a strong connection with the student from the start, and providing an encouraging and nurturing environment where students feel comfortable to take risks and overcome obstacles.

Currently, Lindsay serves as the elementary Learning Specialist and Literacy Coach at a private school. She provides supportive literacy instruction to students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. This includes providing evidence-based strategies to improve phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills. She is trained in Wilson/Fundations, Orton-Gillingham, and Judith Hochman’s Teaching Basic Writing skills. Lindsay also provides instructional coaching to teachers around the current best-practices in literacy instruction and collaborates closely with families to support them through the special education process.

Outside of teaching, Lindsay is a mother of two young girls and a fur baby Golden-doodle. She enjoys spending time going on nature walks with her family, soaking up sun at the beach, playing tennis, and practicing yoga.

LOCATION: Connecticut: Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, Westport, Norwalk, Fairfield
TYPE OF SERVICES: Individualized reading, writing, spelling instruction/remediation (grades K through 5th)
EXPERTISE: Reading, writing, spelling instruction/intervention; Learning differences and disabilities; Wilson Fundations and Orton-Gillingham approach
AGES: Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

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Text: (917) 426-8880
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