Do you work with adult learners?

If you or someone you know is struggling with low literacy and wanting to strengthen literacy skills, please reach out to us.

What does a literacy coach do?

A literacy coach differs from a reading specialist or intervention teacher, although often trained as all of the above. The primary role of a literacy coach, more specifically, is to transform educational practices, aiming to reduce the number of students requiring reading and writing intervention.

This goal is achieved through modeling and close collaboration with teachers, schools, children and families to enhance literacy practices at various levels (the individual, school, county, state, national, and even international level).

The traditional "wait to fail" model of reading intervention does not instigate necessary structural changes, inadvertantly perpetuating the ongoing need for intervention.

At Literacy Illuminated, LLC, our overarching mission is to see best practices in reading and writing instruction implemented in every home and in every classroom. We aim to help families and schools assist children in steadily learning to read, write, spell, organize their many ideas, to think efficiently and for themselves.

What sets you apart from other “tutoring” companies?

What sets us apart is the relationships that we build with students, families, and other providers. We provide students with direct, individualized instruction, a crucial element often missing from their previous educational experiences. Rather than completing assignments for students we provide students with the skills, care, and differentiated learning environment that they need to maximize their growth.

Do you offer math instruction?

We offer math instruction for students in grades K-8. We provide the following: math remediation, Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) math, multisensory math, and support in learning essential math terminology/vocabulary, “the language of math.”

What is your cancellation policy?

We ask for 24-hours notice, whenever possible, if you need to reschedule a learning session. Additional information can be found in our Family Agreements.

Do you serve both neurodivergent and neurotypical children?

We have extensive experience working with both neurotypical and neurodivergent students. The best practices for neurodivergent learners are also effective in making learning memorable for neurotypical students. Even students who do not qualify for a dyslexia diagnosis benefit from explicit instruction. The analogy that comes to mind for me is a scenario where one is driving out of state. On a long car trip would you prefer turn-by-turn navigation, and real-time traffic data, or would you prefer a hand-drawn map and “turn right at the tree”? Only after making this journey multiple times, could you gradually remove the turn-by-turn navigational support.

How are sessions paid?

Zelle and Venmo are the electronic payment methods that we currently accept. You may place a credit card on file, if you so choose.

Can balanced literacy and structured literacy be used simultaneously?

No, not effectively. Structured literacy is comprehensive; it includes every component of high-quality literacy instruction. Structured literacy is often equated with phonics. While it does include phonological awareness and phonics, the gateway to reading, that is just the tip of the iceberg! In upper grades, students read text sets-- a variety of texts, genres, and difficulty levels, in order to build knowledge, vocabulary, and create a depth of understanding on a given topic, such as reptiles or the Dust Bowl. The study of morphology, syllabication exercises, fluency practice and shared reading continues, as does targeted phonics instruction and the organizing and sharing of ideas through conversation and writing.

Please see our online parent corner page (coming soon) for more information on structured literacy and the science of reading.

Where are sessions held?

We offer a choice of: reserved collaboration rooms at local libraries, a Literacy Illuminated office location, or at your child’s school. When appropriate for the student and weather permitting, we also enjoy holding outdoor learning sessions.