- Literacy Tutor -
PHONICS READING WRITING
SPELLING GRAMMAR ENGLISH
Phoenix, AZ
in-person or virtual lessons
Get Started!
Contact: 602-540-8673 / Rachael.Bressi@gmail.com
Trained by the O-G's
(The Orton-Gillingham Academy)
The OGA is accredited by the
International Dyslexia Association.
I provide reading instruction for students of all ages and proficiency levels. Assessments are given, and every lesson is catered to the specific needs and capabilities of the student. I do not use a pre-made program. Programs can waste time covering things that the student already knows and risk discouraging the student with things that they do not know.
I am trained in teaching English as a second language and have extensive experience homeschooling my son through grade school. I have taught those with and without reading disabilities and have been trained to remedy dyslexia.
Just reading? Reading is pretty much the coolest thing ever, so saying "just reading," doesn't feel quite right. What I mean is that I incorporate spelling, writing, grammar, comprehension, and English as a whole into my lessons.
Phonics-based learning is a time-tested and scientifically proven method of building fluency. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology has been used to learn how the brain reads and how it changes with instruction. Dyslexia can be improved at any age when techniques are used that help rewire the brain for reading.
Dr. Samuel Orton was a neuropsychiatrist and pathologist who specialized in studying reading and language difficulties. He worked with Anna Gillingham, an educator and psychologist with expertise in language, to develop the Orton-Gillingham Approach. The O-G Approach has been developed to re-wire the brain for reading and language fluency and is backed by neuroscience.
The Orton-Gillingham Approach can benefit anyone, but it is especially helpful for those with dyslexia. Many programs for dyslexia claim to have a basis in Orton-Gillingham methods. However, pre-made programs are not diagnostic and prescriptive to the individual student. The O-G Approach is different because every lesson plan has multiple parts that are all customized and catered to the individual student.
I love reading, and I hope that I can influence my students to love reading, too! I have a bachelors in Biology with a concentration in Pre-Medicine. I did a deep-dive into health and nutrition when I was in college, and I decided that I didn't want to go to medical school. I love the education that I received on how the body works, and I still continue to learn about health and biology. Reading has been a huge part of my life as it has enabled me to explore my interests and to be able to be self-taught.
Because reading is foundational to learning almost all other things, I feel like English fluency is one of the most important skills that we can learn. Upon realizing that dyslexia is on the rise and that many schools have changed how reading is taught, I became extra passionate about teaching children to read and furthered my education to learn the best practices in teaching students with dyslexia.
I have two sons and a dog. I have a lot of experience working with children, and I understand that they all have their own individual personalities. I love watching children learn and grow, and it brings me joy to be involved in the process. I have a fingerprint clearance and have worked with children of all ages with varying degrees of disabilities. I'm here to help!
602-540-8673
Rachael.Bressi@gmail.com