Over 25 years in the field of education, reading science & dyslexia, and special education advocacy – bringing a unique combination of successful experience and comprehensive training to solve your child’s literacy and learning challenges.
Credentials –specific training and experience for each of the 3 services offered
DIAGNOSITIC TESTING
Comprehensive training in diagnostic testing for specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia and dysgraphia, as an integral part of M.Ed. in Education, with specialized focus on Reading Science and Dyslexia.
* Courses in included education psychology, reading psychology, reading science and research, statistical analysis, beginning through advanced phonology, phonics, linguistics, and morphology, Response to Intervention (RTI) planning and administration, 504 and IEP development, K-12 reading, writing and literature instruction and mechanics of writing instruction, including expository writing.
* Specific training in criterion-referenced and norm-referenced tests used specifically for the diagnosis of learning disabilities
*8+ years of providing comprehensive evaluations for dyslexia and dysgraphia for students K-12 to support special education classification and IEP development including providing research-based instructional recommendations.
* 8+ years providing comprehensive evaluations and supporting documentation for high school and college students to successfully obtain accommodations on standardized tests including the AP exams, SAT, ACT, and graduate tests such as the LSAT, Bar Exam, and MCAT.
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY
20+ years as a special education advocate successfully guiding and empowering parents through every stage of the special education process to achieve their education goals.
Special Education Advocacy certification through the Federation for Children with Special Needs in Boston, MA
Advanced Advocacy training (due process training) at the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys, Inc. – COPAA)
Member Council for Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPAA)
Organized, promoted and hosted a Wrightslaw Special Education Advocacy Conference (February 2016, Rye Brook, NY)
B.A. in History, government and Law (Bowdoin College in Brusnwick, Maine)
STRUCTURED LITERACY CONSULTING AND INSTRUCTION
M.Ed. in Reading Science and Dyslexia (from Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, OH whose program is endorsed by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) for Structured Literacy instruction and Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) certification. The program included Orton Gillingham training at both the basic skill level (preK-3rd grade) and advanced levels (4th grade- high school) with graduate level classes in Orton Gillingham and associated supervised practicums.
Orton Gillingham Associate Level training classes (75 hours in training hours) from the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE) in NY and Commonwealth Learnkng Center in MA.
American Montessori Association (AMS) teacher certification for preK- 6th grade
20+ years teaching/tutoring reading, writing, and spelling using prescriptive multisensory, systematic and explicit phonics methodologies utilizing Orton Gillingham, LETRS, Montessori and other “Structured Literacy” reading methodologies
10+ years as a Montessori lead teacher for preK-6th grades, expanding upon and developing multisensory Montessory reading, writing and math materials and individualized lessons
6+ years developing curriculum and teaching High School AP US History and economics and law electives, including at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY and The Fieldston School in Riverdale, NY