Meet your tutor
Hi, I'm JoAnn — and I've spent 20 years in the classroom for families like yours.
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. What I didn't know was that my own children would show me exactly what kind.
When my children were young, I found myself navigating the world of special needs as a mother — advocating for them, searching for the right support, and learning firsthand how hard that journey can be. That experience didn't just change my perspective. It changed my path. It ignited a passion for special education that has guided every year of my teaching career since.
As a licensed Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1) and retired K–5 Special Education teacher with 20 years in the classroom, I've seen firsthand what happens when a child gets the right support at the right time. And as the mother of two special needs children, I don't just understand learning differences from a classroom perspective — I understand them from a parent's heart. I know the worry, the questions, and the fierce love that brings you here.
I specialize in reading, phonics, fluency, writing, and mathematics for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade, using structured, research-backed methods proven to work for struggling learners — especially children with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. Every session is built around your child's specific goals, their IEP if they have one, and the way they learn best.
My approach is simple: patient, consistent, and always focused on the child in front of me. I believe every child can grow — they just need someone who knows how to meet them where they are.
WHAT I OFFER
Targeted support in the areas that matter most
Every tutoring plan is personalized to your child's specific goals, learning style, and needs — shaped by your input as a parent and built together, not handed down as a one-size-fits-all plan.
Structured literacy instruction using Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading methods. Ideal for children with dyslexia, decoding struggles, or reading delays.Reading & Phonics
Building speed, accuracy, and understanding — so your child doesn't just read words, they understand what they mean and can talk about what they've read.
Reading Fluency & Comprehension
From letter formation and sentence structure to organizing thoughts on the page, I help children build confidence in putting their ideas into writing — including crafting their first essays
Writing Skills
Concrete, multisensory math instruction using the Touch Math program — designed to help children truly understand numbers, not just memorize facts.
Mathematics
I read and work directly from your child's IEP goals, using appropriate accommodations and modifications. I can also help you understand and advocate for what's in your child's plan.
IEP-Aligned Support
After each session, I provide a brief update on what we covered and simple strategies you can use at home — so progress doesn't stop when the session ends.