Contact Melissa at mjstewarted@gmail.com for more information.
Services I offer include:
Comprehensive Reading Assessment
Dyslexia Screening and Diagnosis Using the T.O.D.
Systematic, explicit instruction & intervention in the following areas:
- Sounds (Phonological & Phonemic Awareness)
- Learning and writing the alphabet
- Decoding (sounding out words)
- Phonics
- Reading sentences & paragraphs
- Handwriting (manuscript & cursive)
- Fluency
- Morphology, Vocabulary, & Comprehension
- Behavior incentive system if needed
- Training & Certifications:
- Wilson Reading SystemTM Level 1 Certified
- Florida PEP Direct Provider
- Approved TEA SSES Service Provider (Supplemental Special Education Services)
- Masters of Education, Literacy Instruction
- Orton Gillingham Associate Trained (80 hours)
- Texas Certified Reading Specialist
- 25 Years of Teaching Experience
- Certified Texas educator in Early Childhood-grade 8 general education, EC-12 special education, and English as a Second Language.
Texas Certified Reading Specialist
Melissa is qualified to deliver dyslexia intervention and currently works as a reading intervention teacher serving neurodiverse students of all ages. She is certified in the TEA approved dyslexia program, “Reading by Design” and has completed LETRS®.
Melissa is also an approved provider in Texas for Parent Directed Special Education Services (PDSES), as well as for the Florida for the Step up for Students scholarship program.
Wilson Reading System & Orton Gillingham Associate Training
Melissa is a Level 1 Certified Wilson Reading System Practitioner. In 2021, Melissa completed 80 hours of Orton Gillingham training with the Oregon Dyslexia Institute. Training includes in-depth knowledge in neurology, phonology, the structure of our English language, and Orton-Gillingham lessons. The ODI goal is, “To train teachers to understand and recognize dyslexia, learn the foundational skills in reading, and use a multi-sensory structured approach to teach literacy to children with dyslexia.”
References from Melissa’s clients:
“Melissa not only understands reading difficulties and the best interventions for them, she truly cares. She took her time to get to know my daughter, and every time they meet, she takes time to catch up with what my daughter has going on besides school. My daughter loves her! Also, she was reading at a 3rd grade 2nd month level 8 months ago (she was going into 7th grade) and at her assessment this past Feb, she was reading at a 6th grade 1st month level!!!” -Parent of a student with dyslexia
“There aren’t enough words to explain how amazing Melissa is for our son. When we had lost all hope we found her. She works with my son amazingly. She is so knowledgeable and tailors all her knowledge and training to your child’s needs. I couldn’t recommend anyone better than her.” -Parent of a 5th grade student with dyslexia
