Reading Specialist with a PhD in Linguistics

Justin M.

Dyslexia

I have extensive training and 10+ years of experience working with students using a methodology for reading instruction designed to eliminate mild to severe reading problems, including dyslexia. After my undergraduate degree, I spent nearly seven years working for an education firm specializing in reading instruction for students who present a wide range of reading issues including dyslexia. During this time, I traveled extensively throughout the United States setting up reading programs in K-12 and college level education settings. I worked directly with students at all levels, training teachers and teaching assistants in this specialized interactive constructivist reading methodology for the compete elimination of a student’s reading problem.

Elementary (K-6th)

I have 10+ years experience working as a Reading specialist with elementary level students throughout the United States. I work with elementary level students in reading, math, English, Spanish and other related subjects for k-6 levels. After my undergraduate degree, I spent nearly seven years working as an education consultant specializing in reading instruction for k-12 schools. For that work, I traveled extensively throughout the United States setting up reading programs in elementary (K-6), middle and high school education settings. During that time I worked directly with students at all levels and trained teachers and teaching assistants in particular instructional methodologies for k-6 instruction.

ESL/ESOL

I have extensive experience teaching English to adult learners in both community and professional settings. During my undergraduate studies, I worked as a literacy tutor with Mason County Literacy, providing instruction at a community center as well as at the Thurston County corrections facility in Washington. Since then, I have worked as a private tutor with individuals and corporate clients, teaching both general English and business English. I can help students strengthen speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and professional communication skills. My background in linguistics gives me specialized training in language structure and language acquisition, which allows me to explain English clearly and adapt instruction to the needs of individual learners. I work with students at different proficiency levels and tailor lessons to their personal, academic, or professional goals. My goal is to help students become more confident, effective, and independent users of English in both everyday and professional settings.

Linguistics

I have a Ph.D. and Master's degree in linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin. I teach at the University of California where I specialize in documentary and descriptive linguistics. I am also interested in working with morphology, and morpho-phonetics and tone languages.

Phonics

I am a reading specialist and hold a PhD in linguistics. I have extensive training and 10+ years of experience working with a methodology for reading instruction that is designed to help student eliminate mild to severe reading problems, including dyslexia. I offer long term solutions to reading issues. After my undergraduate degree I spent nearly seven years working as an education consultant for a Reading company where I traveled extensively throughout the United States setting up reading programs in K-12 and college level education settings. During that time I trained teachers and teaching assistants in this reading methodology used for the compete elimination of the student's reading problems. Over the last three years I have been working in the San Diego County area with students of all ages helping them to eliminate their reading problems. I also teach linguistics courses at the University of California San Diego.

Reading

I am a Reading Specialist with an M.A. and Ph.D. in Linguistics and more than 20 years of experience helping students overcome mild to severe reading difficulties, including dyslexia and other language- and processing-related challenges. I have extensive experience working with neurodivergent students and specialize in providing individualized, long-term solutions for students whose reading difficulties have persisted despite previous instruction or intervention. My approach uses a specialized interactive-constructivist methodology designed to identify and remediate the underlying processing difficulties that interfere with reading fluency, comprehension, efficiency, and confidence. Rather than simply repeating conventional reading instruction that a struggling reader may already have received, I focus on understanding what is preventing that individual student from reading successfully and using a different approach to produce lasting improvement. Before graduate school, I spent nearly seven years working as an educational consultant for a company specializing in reading instruction. During that time, I traveled extensively throughout the United States helping establish reading programs in K–12 schools and colleges. I also trained teachers and teaching assistants in this specialized methodology and worked directly with students with a wide range of reading difficulties. From 2016 through 2024, I worked extensively with students of all ages in San Diego County, helping them overcome persistent reading problems and become stronger, more efficient, and more confident readers. I also teach linguistics at the University of California, San Diego, where my background in language structure, phonetics, phonology, and language processing informs my approach to reading instruction. My goal is not simply to help students cope with a reading problem, but to address the underlying difficulties that are preventing them from reading well so that improvement can be lasting and meaningful.

Spanish

I hold a B.A. in Spanish and have studied abroad in both Granada, Spain, and Oaxaca, Mexico. I have extensive experience working with both younger learners and adults through private tutoring, and I tailor instruction to each student’s level, goals, and learning style. At the University of Texas at Austin, I taught beginning and intermediate Spanish courses. At the University of California, San Diego, I have taught the Structure of Spanish since 2018, working with students on Spanish grammar, sound patterns, word structure, and the broader organization of the language. As a linguist, I bring a specialized understanding of how languages are structured and how they are learned. This allows me to explain Spanish grammar and usage in ways that are clear, systematic, and practical rather than relying only on memorization. I can work with students on conversation, pronunciation, grammar, reading, writing, and overall language development, from beginning through advanced levels. My goal is to help students not only improve their Spanish, but also understand how the language works so they can become more confident and independent speakers, readers, and writers.