Search
Linda W.'s Photo

Reading Specialist, Special Needs, Home School, All Ages
Linda W.

4.9 (493 ratings)

2,492 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $80
Contact Linda
Response time: 7 hours

About Linda

Bio

I am passionate about helping children achieve success in reading. Reading is the fundamental skill needed for a successful life in the 21st century, the skill needed to open opportunities.

I have more than 30 years' experience tutoring children and teaching and supervising others to tutor in three non-profit organizations in Manhattan. I've worked with youngsters from Kindergarten through high school, and some adults who were unable to read at all. The children in these programs came...

I am passionate about helping children achieve success in reading. Reading is the fundamental skill needed for a successful life in the 21st century, the skill needed to open opportunities.

I have more than 30 years' experience tutoring children and teaching and supervising others to tutor in three non-profit organizations in Manhattan. I've worked with youngsters from Kindergarten through high school, and some adults who were unable to read at all. The children in these programs came from public, independent, and parochial schools. I hold a Master's degree in Education (M.Ed.) from Northeastern University, with a specialty in Reading. In particular I studied about remedial reading, ways to assist those who are struggling with any of a variety of aspects of the reading process, such as phonics or comprehension or vocabulary development. My specialty is aiding youngsters who are struggling with reading assignments in school, who hate reading. In Massachusetts, I am certified to teach Kindergarten - 8th grade.

It's important to capture the attention of struggling students, to give them a purpose for reading beyond getting their schoolwork done. For this reason, I identify what the student is interested in and teach based on that interest. For example, one 7th grade student, reading on a 3rd grade level, wanted to learn how to draw dinosaurs. I had a book for that - a book that included a paragraph about the dinosaur before teaching how to draw it. He read the paragraph, learned some new vocabulary and facts, and then how to draw the dinosaur. Next he wanted to read about basketball and we read a great Matt Christopher book. We worked on phonics, spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, summarizing, assorted comprehension skills, and confidence, overcoming fear, making mistakes and learning from them, and resiliency. We played many games, some in every session. We worked hard and had a lot of fun and laughs. By the school-year end he was on a 7th grade reading level and confident in his ability t

Read more

Education

Temple University
Sociology
Northeastern University
MEd
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

  • Tutor’s lessons: In-person
  • Hourly Rate: $80
  • Travel policy: Within 8 miles of New York, NY 10024
  • Lesson cancellation: 8 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 11/19/2014

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Approved Subjects

ADHD

ADHD

I was awarded a M.Ed., Reading from Northeastern University in 1977. Part of the coursework included learning about ADD/ADHD, the difficulties it caused for students, and ways to assist students in learning. I have worked with numerous students with this issue during the past 30 years. I make sure to (a) vary the work in each lesson and the approach to it, (b) spend a limited amount of time on each segment of a lesson, (c) work with a student to help identify distractions and how to ignore or work through them and how to refocus, (d) and, when appropriate, include some time for a break and movement. Also, I continue to read articles and attend workshops on this topic.
Common Core

Common Core

I was granted a M.Ed degree, with a specialty in Reading, along with qualification courses in elementary education, by Northeastern University in 1977. I hold permanent certification as a K-8 teacher from Massachusetts. I have been a substitute teacher in NYC schools with an excellent rating. Common Core requirements by grade level are an important element in all my private tutoring sessions.
Dyslexia

Dyslexia

I was granted a M.Ed., Reading from Northeastern University in 1977. My area of specialty within that degree program was remediation, requiring two semesters of supervised remedial teaching and courses on the best methods. I have directed 3 different after-school programs with remedial tutoring components with successful outcomes for the students (2nd - 12th grade). The primary method I employ is to use materials related to the student's interest and reading level and to work on difficulties as they occur.
Elementary (K-6th)

Elementary (K-6th)

I was granted a M.Ed. in reading from Northeastern University in 1977, and hold permanent certification from Massachusetts for elementary education, grades K-8. Also, during 1987-1989 and 1994-1996 I served several NYC public elementary schools as a substitute, including a long-term position (March-June 1987) and received excellent ratings.
English

English

I hold a Masters degree in Education, with a specialty in Reading. This degree requires a variety of excellent skills in English including vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, writing, etc. I have designed programs for immigrant elementary school children, have worked with high school students for class work and the NYS Regents, and with adults from non-English speaking countries in individual and class settings.
Handwriting

Handwriting

I was awarded a M.Ed., Reading from Northeastern University in 1977. The coursework includes learning about methods of teaching the vast assortment of skills related to English reading and writing. Over the years I have assisted elementary & middle school students with proper printing, including letter formation and size, spacing within a word and within a sentence, and neatness. Also, I have worked with college graduates teaching them how to do cursive writing including letter formation and size, connections of letters, and signatures.
Homeschool

Homeschool

I was granted a M.Ed., with a specialty in reading, along with certification as K - 8 teacher from Northeastern University in 1977, a degree program that required training in teaching all aspects of reading, English, study skills, learning skills, and the variety of elementary school subjects. I have worked in a home-school situation with children in 1st - 7th grades teaching ELA (reading/writing) and Social Studies, and with children on grade level, remedial level, and advanced levels.
Phonics

Phonics

I was granted a M.Ed. in reading from Northeastern University in 1977, requiring specific courses in teaching all aspects of reading for those just learning to read and for those needing remedial assistance. The primary method I use in teaching phonics is a "word family" approach. With older students (middle school and up) I usually treat this as a spelling skill. I have been teaching an assortment of reading skills to students in 2nd - HS, and adults, in a full-time after-school setting for 30+ years.
Reading

Reading

I hold a Master's degree in Education, with a specialty in Reading, particularly remedial reading. I have experience tutoring children from 2nd grade through high school in all reading skills. I use reading materials that capture the student's attention. For example, I found books teaching how to draw dinosaurs, how to learn to swim, basketball stories, etc., based on the child's interest. I frequently teach phonics through spelling. We play vocabulary games. I'm very patient and a great encourager. I have also worked with adults with long-standing issues and disabilities, from a non-reader to a college graduate. Within a few months, the non-reader was able to read and write notes from and to his employer. The college graduate has learned to control her overpowering anxiety, and has greatly improved her comprehension and analyzing skills for the graduate school entrance examination.
Special Needs

Special Needs

I was awarded a M.Ed., Reading from Northeastern University in 1977. Part of the coursework included learning about an assortment of Special Needs and methods to assist the student in learning and/or compensating for these needs. Since then I have worked successfully with a number of students (grades 2 - 12) with this diagnosis, as many students listed with Dyslexia have an underlying learning need. Also, I continue to read articles and attend workshops on this topic as available.
Spelling

Spelling

I hold a M.Ed. degree with a specialty in reading. My studies included all aspects of reading and its components parts including vocabulary, grammar, spelling, etc. I have been successfully teaching spelling for many years using a word family approach or pattern approach making it easier for a child to learn several spelling words at once.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I was granted a M.Ed. in reading from Northeastern University in 1977, a degree program that required training in teaching all aspects of reading and learning skills. "Study skills" cover a broad array of skills, many of which are specialized comprehension skills, for example, note-taking is related to being able to identify the main idea and details. I've also taken several workshops on teaching different aspects of study skills.
Grammar
Proofreading
Vocabulary
Linda W.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Linda before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Linda
Response time: 7 hours

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (493 ratings)
5 star
(474)
4 star
(11)
3 star
(1)
2 star
(2)
1 star
(5)

Reviews

5 Stars! Excellent tutor!

Linda provided reading, writing and comprehension support to my homeschooled nine-year-old daughter. She was always extremely well-prepared for their sessions and provided engaging activities to work on that my daughter really benefitted from. She is very patient, warm and intuitive which was a great match for my sensitive daughter. I also appreciated her professionalism. She is clearly passionate about helping kids learn. I highly recommend Linda if you are looking for an excellent tutor!

Elizabeth, 12 lessons with Linda
Tutor responded:

Thank you, Elizabeth. Your daughter is a delight to teach. She is smart and hardworking, and interested in so many things. She is so shy, yet willing to talk about her art projects, travels, and whatever piques her interest. Her delight and creativity in providing words for MadLibs is a joy to participate in, and a wonderful way to learn. I will miss her, but I know that her new school will be a great experience for her.

Very kind, patient and smart!!

Linda is currently helping my 8-year-old son with his handwriting and reading skills. She is unbelievably patient and warm. My son immediately took to her that he ends up giving her big hugs at the end of each session. Linda is very experienced with the emotional and academic parts of a child and I feel very lucky to have her.

Ahna, 6 lessons with Linda

Knowledgeable and patient

Linda is great with children. My son is looking forward to meet with her every time! She made him interested in spelling and reading. We are super happy to have her.

Kinga, 21 lessons with Linda
Tutor responded:

Thank you, Kinga. Your son is a delight to work with -- focused, interested in learning and achieving, and hard working. I have fun with him every session!

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Linda is excellent. She took the time to listen to my individual needs. Given this, she was able to tailor the lesson plan to target these weakness. As a result, I am confident that I will be able to accomplish my goals in a short timeframe. For me, the only downside is the long distance travel for which I am unable to continue doing.

Karen, 1 lesson with Linda
Tutor responded:

Thank you, Karen. I enjoyed working with you, and I know you will be able to reach your goals. I suspect you'll even do this quicker than you imagine. I'll miss working with you, but understand the travel difficulties. Best wishes for success!

Excellent teacher, and makes lessons enjoyable!

Wonderful to have Linda back with my son for the start of the school year. She makes every lesson enjoyable for him, which is so much appreciated after he spends a long day at school. Linda is an excellent teacher, very patient, fun and knows how to connect with my son and his interests.

Alison, 19 lessons with Linda
Tutor responded:

Thank you, Alison. Your son is a delight to work with -- smart, eager to learn, and a hard worker. I'm learning a great deal as well since he is such a knowledgeable sports lover.

Perfect tutor

She is one of the best teachers that I’ve never met; always well prepared, she speaks a perfect English; her pronunciation is perfect for ESL students. She doesn’t use too much slang. She’s very patient, available, always on time, very funny and nice.

Cristina, 45 lessons with Linda

Wonderful teacher

Linda plans tutoring lessons in a beautiful and engaging way for children. I love to see her with my daughter! She goes the extra mile to make sure her students learn and benefit from her classes.

Maria, 111 lessons with Linda
Tutor responded:

Thank you, Maria. Your daughter is a joy and fun to work with. She is so very interested in learning and works diligently throughout the lesson. She is filled with excitement at her successes and has made good progress. I smile just thinking of her.

Excellent and dedicated

Linda is amazing. Working with her closely for homeschooling has helped my children to excel in their curriculum. The lesson plans and tutoring Linda has developed provides my children with the tools to absorb and understand the material adequately.

RYchelle, 23 lessons with Linda
Tutor responded:

Thank you, Rychelle. Your children are delightful to work with -- interested in learning, excited about reading, curious about life -- and charming and polite. I enjoy my time with them and can see their progress.

Wonderful tutor

My daughter adores Linda. Linda was well prepared for each session and made the learning process fun and valuable. My first-grade daughter struggles with dyslexia, Linda started getting through to her on the very fist session and it just got better from there! Many thanks to Linda for patience and knowledge. I highly recommend her.

April, 3 lessons with Linda
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much, April. Your daughter is such an eager and willing student. She loves to learn and is open to try things in a new way. We had lots of fun and laughs. I think she'll be an independent reader soon.

Linda is so patient and such a good tutor

She is been teaching our 6 year old for months now he has accomplished so much ever since Linda is been helping him with reading and writing! She is great! -thank you Linda for being the best! :)

Shkurta, 275 lessons with Linda
Tutor responded:

Thank you, Shkurta. Your son is a fast and good learner. He wants so much to read and do well. He's really learned to focus and made great progress. He's great fun to work with, too!

Hourly Rate: $80
Response time: 7 hours
Contact Linda