About Amira
I spent the first 5 years of my career as a Literacy/Reading Specialist in public and private schools in the Boston area. I’ve also spent the past 10+ years as a tutor both virtually and in-person. I am trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and have extensive experience working with students (K–8) who struggle to learn to read, including those diagnosed with dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities.
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I have graduate degrees in Elementary Education and Literacy from Lesley University. Originally from Amherst, I now live in Northampton, MA with my family and enjoy spending time exploring this beautiful area.
My approach
Background and Experience
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I spent 5 years as a Reading Specialist in public and private schools and have been tutoring students in literacy skills for over 10 years. I have worked with hundreds of students in grades K–8.
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I have master's degrees in Elementary Education and as a Reading Specialist.
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I was trained in Orton-Gillingham by the Carroll School (school for students with dyslexia)
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​I am familiar with a wide range of structured literacy reading programs and have taught RAVE-O, Wilson, Fundations, Lively Letters, and others.
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I have worked as an inclusion specialist and have a broad background in special education.
Tutoring with Amira
I love working with students individually because it allows me to get to know their specific learning needs and incorporate their interests and learning styles into my sessions. Learning to read can be hard, and I want all of my students to have fun and be able to identify and celebrate their successes and progress as they learn. I only ask students to practice skills they have been explicitly taught so that they can feel successful and build confidence. I am flexible and adaptable to students' specific needs while maintaining rigor and high expectations throughout the lessons. I have a special interest in children's literature and believe it is important for students to read texts they are excited about while they learn critical skills.
Parent Consultations
Are you feeling confused by all of the literacy jargon in the evaluation or IEP process? Are you looking for someone to help you understand what supports are needed for your child with a language-based learning disability? I offer parent consultations that focus on helping families understand assessments and evaluations and discussing the IEP process and services.
Instructional Methods
Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading
Why Orton-Gillingham?
Orton-Gillingham is an approach to reading instruction that follows structured literacy principles and is in line with the scientific research on best practices for the acquisition of reading skills. This approach is highly individualized, focusing on the specific learning needs of the individual. It is highly effective for students with suspected or diagnosed language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, as well as for any student who is learning to read.
OG instruction is systematic, explicit and multi-sensory, teaching decoding and other reading skills sequentially. Formal and informal assessments are used to identify which skills to focus on, and students work on skills until they are mastered, circling back frequently to ensure that previous skills are maintained.
The science of reading is the extensive body of research that serves as the foundation for structured literacy and the Orton-Gillingham approach. ​​In a structured literacy approach, all of the elements of reading are taught in a direct, systematic, sequential and cumulative way. These elements include: ​
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Phonological and phonemic awareness: Manipulating sounds in spoken language
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Sound-Symbol Correspondence: The relationship between sounds and letters
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Syllable Structure: Syllable patterns within words
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Morphology: The structure of words including roots, prefixes, and suffixes
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Syntax: How sentence structure and word order affect meaning.
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Semantics: Vocabulary and the meanings of words in context.
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Fluency: Reading with accuracy and appropriate speed.
FAQ
How long are tutoring sessions? How frequently should my child have tutoring sessions?
Sessions are usually 55 minutes, but can be reduced to 40 for younger students depending on the age and needs of the child. Meeting twice a week is ideal for maximum effectiveness and progress, but once a week is also an option if that is better for your family and schedule.
Where do tutoring sessions take place?
Tutoring sessions can take place at my office in Northampton, at a public location such as a local library, in your home (depending on distance and timing), or virtually. In some situations, I can tutor your child at their school, i.e., if it is a private school and the administration is open to it.
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What is the cost of tutoring?
My rates are dependent on a number of factors including location, so I can give you a quote once we've had a conversation about your child's needs and tutoring length and frequency. If I am traveling to your home, there will be a small travel fee depending on the distance.
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How do I contact you to learn more or get started?
I offer free 15-minute consultations to discuss whether my services would be a good fit for your child. Please use the contact form below to reach out to me.