Hi!

 

My name is Katie, and I graduated with a degree in Elementary and Special Education in 2005 and went on to receive my Masters in Literacy in 2008.  I was a general and special education teacher in NYC for 16 years.   Throughout this time teaching in 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade classrooms, I worked with several students who continued to struggle with reading and spelling despite implementing strategies I had been taught.  I have worked with students on the Autism spectrum, those with ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dysgraphia, as well as those who had auditory processing disorders and other learning disabilities.

 

In 2018 I began my training for the Orton Gillingham approach.  I immediately went back to my classroom and started using what I was taught.  All of my students greatly benefited from the direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive instruction they were receiving.  I also worked as an afterschool tutor and completed the practicum for the first level of Orton Gillingham.  I continued with this work and completed the second level of Orton Gillingham training and practicum which enhanced my understanding of the English language.  

 

In 2021, we decided as a family to step away from the public school setting and begin homeschooling.  I currently homeschool our three youngest boys and tutor in person and online.  My passion for teaching started at an early age when I would sit my younger siblings down and try to teach them in the basement.  I would work with them on sounding out words and working through math problems.  It was always so rewarding to see them succeed!  Similarly, when I tutor students who are struggling, it brings me such joy when I can see what they are learning “click” and watch them grow in confidence as they decode words independently and correctly write words they were unable to spell when we first began working together.  My goal is always to provide an environment where students know that I want the best for them and that I am there to support them with their learning.