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PhD in Education Specializing in Success for Struggling Young Readers
Maryann J.

5.0 (65 ratings)

257 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $60
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About Maryann

Bio

My 10 years as a reading specialist (grades k-3) in the Boston Public Schools were the most rewarding years of my career-despite 20 years as a classroom teacher. I remain determined to assist any struggling young reader who desires to become a lifetime member of "the literacy club". Being literate empowers and opens up worlds of knowledge and enjoyment. Illiteracy handicaps and limits opportunities. Literacy opens doors and widens horizons. I believe I was placed on this earth to help...

My 10 years as a reading specialist (grades k-3) in the Boston Public Schools were the most rewarding years of my career-despite 20 years as a classroom teacher. I remain determined to assist any struggling young reader who desires to become a lifetime member of "the literacy club". Being literate empowers and opens up worlds of knowledge and enjoyment. Illiteracy handicaps and limits opportunities. Literacy opens doors and widens horizons. I believe I was placed on this earth to help every youngster who wants desperately to read but can't seem to get a solid launch. Reading is not simply calling words or sounding out. Reading involves understanding what you read. It's a two part process. You decode with the endpoint always being to make meaning. I also strive to engage students so that they fall in love with books !!

I begin with a thorough assessment in five literacy areas including writing. I assess various aspects of decoding as well as comprehending. I then develop a blueprint for instruction based on that assessment. I use real books, not worksheets as the reader develops his/her skill. From the outset of instruction, I encourage independence and enjoyment of the reading act. You learn to read by reading, so there is lots of rereading. I have both worked with hundreds of young struggling readers and assisted K-3 classroom teachers acquire strategies for helping their non-readers. Success stories are plentiful and move me to tears when I think about all the young learners whose literacy was launched. Anna, a six year old entered first grade knowing only 2 letters, a and o. Sixteen weeks later she was reading on grade level! Benita, a second language learner, began in September, painfully shy and reticent. In December, she was confidently reading on grade level to any one would listen to her! Research-based methods used with students were learned from a renowned New Zealand researcher, the late Dr. Marie Clay. My former professor and mentor, Dr. Irene Fountas, is a co- author of the Benchmark Assessmen

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Education

Queens College
Elementary Education
UMass Boston
MEd
Lesley University
PhD
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $60
  • Rate details: rate negotiable for multiple lessons
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 9/24/2013

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

ADHD

ADHD

As a Reading Specialist, and mentor of Special Needs teachers, I was trained to work with ALL students who struggle as literacy learners. This includes those diagnosed with ADHD. I have successfully taught and witnessed phenomenal progress by such learners when instruction is targeted, interactive and specific. It's important to assess and then teach based on their strengths, and not solely focus on perceived areas of weakness/disability. So my instruction begins with the question "What does this learner already know ?"
Elementary (K-6th)

Elementary (K-6th)

I received BA degree in elementary education from Queens College and returned to grad school for a MED degree in Elementary Reading. I taught elementary grades 1 and 2 for six years before becoming a K-6 reading specialist for 14 years. I have tutored reading to students in grades k-5.
Homeschool

Homeschool

I have served in two different ways to meet the needs of homeschooled students. In some cases, I tutored students in reading, writing, and phonics who had serious health issues were homebound, and lost lots of time out of school. Boston School District selected (and paid) a pool of successful classroom teachers who did this after school hours. In other cases, homeschool was an intentional choice but parents desired a degreed, experienced reading educator to teach their child following the common core curriculum.
Phonics

Phonics

My undergrad degree in Elementary Ed required a course in which 50% dealt with phonics principles and practices. My Masters degree is in Elementary Reading covering K-12 research and practices. I have tutored dozens of children as a reading specialist and focused on analytic as well as synthetic approaches. I trained numerous K-3 teachers in 30 elementary schools (Boston Public) with research based phonics methods as well as facilitated national workshops for IRA, MRA (statewide) and NCTE. I have led phonics seminars for various local school systems' teachers' groups (NC, VA, NJ, IN). I teach undergrad and grad college level (traditional and online courses) in reading that are about 25% phonics content (Wheelock College/MA; St. Augustine's Univ./NC and Barton College/NC).
Reading

Reading

I served as a Reading Specialist in a large urban district for over ten years. I then became a system wide Reading Coach responsible for helping classroom teachers- in 30 schools- provide high quality instruction for struggling readers. In both these roles, I assisted dozens of non readers in achieving grade level achievement in 12-20 weeks, My research-based approach uses "real" reading books, writing and concentrates on remediating weak areas while simultaneously building on strengths. All instruction is based on a comprehensive set of assessments--encouraging strategic self-reliance from the initial lesson.
Spelling
Vocabulary

Examples of Expertise

Maryann has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 2 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

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Maryann J.'s Photo

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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (65 ratings)
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Reviews

Knowledgeable and caring tutor!

My son is in 1st grade. I got a message from his teacher saying he was behind in reading. I bought some sight word flash cards. When they arrived, he barely was able to do the pre-k sight words. And that was when I knew he needed more help than I had the time to provide. He's been with Maryann for a few months, and the improvement is astounding. He brought me the sight word cards the other day, and he did the Prek, Kg, and the 1st grade words with ease. And he always looks forward to his sessions!

Megan, 14 lessons with Maryann

Review

Maryann is a great tutor. My son really likes her and wants to continue his sessions. She covers alot of material in a short time. We definitely get our moneys worth with her. She is patient and understanding a great educator !!

Jerome, 9 lessons with Maryann

Look No Further!

Maryann has been a blessing to our family these last 7 months. We stumbled upon Wyzant in December 2022 while searching for a literacy tutor for my then 2nd and 3rd graders who were one grade level behind in reading. Maryann's bio convinced us she was the tutor we needed for our family. After talking with Maryann over the phone, we absolutely knew we'd be in good hands. She quickly clued into my kids areas of growth and strengths and set upon a path to close the reading gap. Every week we had clear communication of the expectations / assignments for the coming week. Every week we had a hour full of engaging activities. Even the parents got involved during the tutoring sessions, too! We are grateful for Maryann and highly recommend her.

Erika, 24 lessons with Maryann

Review

Maryann is a great tutor. My son really likes her and wants to continue his sessions. She covers alot of material in a short time. We definitely get our moneys worth with her. She is patient and understanding a great educator !!

Jerome, 9 lessons with Maryann

Dr. Wilkey is the best!

My son is going to first grade this year and according to his kindergarten teacher he was on a reading level C. This was a little strange since when I read with him at home he barely knew how to sound out words or read at all. After Dr. Wilkey’s assessment I learned that he was only level A which made much more sense. She is extremely patient and understanding. I’m really looking forward to my son’s progress and I’m sure that with Dr. Wilkes’s help he will be at grade level soon.

Gabriela , 7 lessons with Maryann
Tutor responded:

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, with my help and your support, your son will reach grade level, and fall in love with books in the process !!

Review

Maryann is a great tutor. My son really likes her and wants to continue his sessions. She covers alot of material in a short time. We definitely get our moneys worth with her. She is patient understanding a great educator !!

Jerome, 9 lessons with Maryann

Enthusiastic, Knowledgeable and Outstanding tutor

Dr.Maryann is an outstanding tutor to my daughter London who is in 3rd grade and having difficulty with reading comprehension. Dr. Maryann first evaluated her reading level then setup a plan on what would benefit London over the next few weeks. She also gave us insight on ways to help London at home. Dr.Maryann guided London into becoming a stronger reader and writer. London has become more confident and has successfully passed her ELA FSA. We can not thank Dr.Maryann enough. We truly appreciate everything she has done.

Nicole, 12 lessons with Maryann

Great teacher, very patient with my child

We love working with Maryann! Each lesson plan is always well thought out and we are aware ahead of time what each lesson will be.

Tiffany, 8 lessons with Maryann

Great Teacher!

Maryann was very knowledgeable with the specifics for my children. She assessed them and knew exactly where my children were in terms of standards. I am very pleased with Maryann, she would be great help to anyone that’s looking to have their child on or above grade level!

Tala, 1 lesson with Maryann

Qualified, prepared and thorough.

It is always clear that Maryann loves what she does and takes pride in preparation and in her students’ progress. She uses customized lesson plans for each student and builds off prior lessons masterfully while keeping in mind not to move on until the student is ready. Best tutor we have encountered so far. Highly recommend.

Miguel, 5 lessons with Maryann
Hourly Rate: $60
Contact Maryann