Maria is an academic intervention specialist providing Orton-Gillingham based tutoring for over 15 years. When Maria became a middle school reading specialist, she noticed that her current teaching methods were not targeting the needs of struggling readers. After searching for more knowledge and teaching methods tied to cognitive science research reading and writing acquisition, Maria enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University and began graduate courses to become a Structured Literacy Interventionist. Since then, she has gone on to pursue a doctorate in education, focusing on reading literacy from a cognitive science approach.

In her studies, Maria learned the importance of multisensory education and how to successfully implement Orton Gillingham sequential cumulative methods and the science of reading into her instruction Maria has been in private practice and taught at a private and a public school for children with learning disabilities (dyslexia / dysgraphia / dyscalculia). In addition, she served as a learning consultant on a Child Study Team providing academic testing, writing IEPs and instructional coaching support for the teachers.

To each lesson, Maria brings extensive knowledge and student experience including students of all ages with learning disabilities, ADHD, and gifted / twice exceptional profiles has uniquely prepared her to meet the needs of a wide range of students. As a thoughtful and understanding instructor she gently guides her students, so they feel comfortable while establishing firm boundaries to ensure student success. Her years of special education and extensive reading background support a wide range of student needs.

SPECIALTIES

● Specific Learning disabilities

● Language based learning differences (LBLD) - dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, oral and written language disability

● Twice exceptional (gifted) students with a learning difference

● ADD/ADHD

● Autism spectrum