Tutoring & Student Advocacy Services

Empower students to believe in their potential. Provide them with the tools and support they need to create an environment where they can thrive, because significant achievement and personal growth can be within everyone's reach.

    • decoding sounds & syllables

    • accuracy

    • fluency

    • comprehension & vocabulary

    • encoding sounds & syllables

    • spelling

    • sentence structure, paragraphs, essays, basic grammar rules

  • Students often need explicit instruction on how to use their accommodations and advocate for them. I can help:

    • suggest appropriate and effective accommodations to meet your child’s needs.

    • show you/your child how to put accommodation(s) into action in the classroom, during extra-curricular activities, or in the workplace.

  • Coming soon!

    • Dedicated to offering tailored assistance and encouragement throughout the college application process, students will refine the art of telling their own story and learn to present polished essays while seeking scholarships and financial assistance.

Embrace your learning style to reach your goals!

The Science of Reading

Reading is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for all other learning. The most effective method, supported by research and experts, is Structured Literacy. This evidence-based approach follows the science of reading (SoR) to teach reading and writing through explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction. SoR not only builds reading skills but also empowers individuals to confidently navigate written communication. This is not limited to a particular age group or reading level; it benefits learners of all backgrounds and abilities.

Whether you are just beginning your reading journey or looking to enhance your existing skills, you deserve a proven, reliable, and effective approach.

Each tutoring session is designed to target specific areas crucial to reading literacy. Sessions include explicit, multi-sensory, and systematic reading instruction in:

  • phonemic awareness (understanding the sounds of language)

  • phonics (recognizing and connecting letters with sound)

  • fluency (reading smoothly)

  • vocabulary (comprehending the meaning of words)

  • comprehension (grasping the overall message conveyed by a text)

By focusing on these key areas, struggling readers will gain the tools they need to

overcome their challenges, while proficient readers will build on a solid foundation,

enhancing their ability to grow and extract deeper meaning from text.

Writing Skills

Structured Literacy not only focuses on decoding skills but also places a strong emphasis on encoding (spelling) and writing. Through explicit instruction in sound-symbol relationships, syllable types, and spelling patterns, children develop a greater understanding of the English language's complex orthographic system. This knowledge enables them to become more proficient spellers and writers. For older students, there is an option for additional focus on the organization of thoughts, sentence structure and essay organization.

A multi-sensory approach encourages students to engage their visual, auditory, and kinesthetic senses simultaneously.

Tailored instruction is based on individual student need.

Dyslexia - Dysgraphia - ADHD - Slow Processing Speed - 2E

Do you need a diagnosis?

At My Learning Light, approximately half of our students have been diagnosed with one or more specific learning disabilities. The remaining students may have suspected learning needs or simply wish to strengthen their reading proficiency to enhance future academic success. Regardless of their level, all students are welcome here.

Note: The term "learning disability" is a legal designation and should not be considered a definitive indicator of future student success. This term is used to recognize students entitled to rights under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and may provide a path to additional support services such as a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

My Learning Light does not provide educational assessments; however, a list of resources can be found here. Please reach out at any time if you need additional assistance.

Structured Literacy is an approach to literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading. Research has shown it is effective for all students, and essential for students with dyslexia.