About Michelle

I chose to tutor children with dyslexia because I have personally experienced how this learning difference can negatively affect education and self-confidence. After watching my own son navigate these challenges and witnessing many more students face similar hurdles during my 14+ years with the Alpine School District, I felt a deep calling to help. My goal is to show these students how incredibly smart and capable they are, helping them master reading and ultimately develop a lifelong love for it.

With 14 years of dedicated experience in elementary education, I am a certified paraprofessional who achieved a perfect score on the ParaPro Assessment. My expertise focuses on specialized dyslexia intervention, utilizing foundational Orton-Gillingham training and the Barton Reading & Spelling System. I am currently completing advanced requirements for formal Barton certification to continue delivering structured literacy instruction.

In my tutoring sessions, I create a warm, structured environment where every student feels supported, understood, and encouraged. When working with anxious students, I begin by validating their feelings and lowering the stakes, ensuring they know that mistakes are a natural part of learning. By using predictable routines and celebrating every small victory, I transform reading from a source of stress into a safe space where a student’s confidence can thrive.