Special Education & Literacy Specialist | Phonics, Reading & ESL | K-6

Jeanette S.

Common Core

I have extensive experience tutoring K-4 students in Common Core-aligned reading, writing, and math. I hold a BA , ESL and Tefl certificate , and I specialize in helping students master grade-level standards with clear, structured lessons. My approach is personalized, engaging, and designed to build confidence while improving academic performance. I have successfully supported both classroom learners and homeschooled students, ensuring they meet or exceed Common Core expectations.

ESL/ESOL

I am a certified ESL tutor through ProLiteracy Education Network, having completed their ESL Tutor Training Workshop in February 2026. I also hold a 160-Hour TEFL Certification from Expert Skills, completed in February 2026. I hold a Regents Bachelor of Arts from Shepherd University and bring over 11 years of professional coaching and leadership experience from Apple, where I regularly worked with diverse populations. I bring a patient, strengths-based approach to ESL instruction, with particular expertise serving elementary-aged learners. My sessions are fully virtual, flexible, and tailored to each learner's goals.

Homeschool

I personally homeschooled a neurodiverse child for 17 years, giving me firsthand knowledge of what families actually face — from curriculum adaptation and daily structure to navigating evaluations, IEPs, and advocacy alongside home-based learning. I hold ESL and TEFL certifications and have developed 70+ published educational resources, including bilingual English/Spanish materials designed for flexible, individualized learning environments. My AI in Special Education certifications (Microsoft & Google) help families integrate assistive technology and adaptive tools into their homeschool routines effectively. I bring both professional training and lived experience that most tutors simply cannot offer.

Reading

I am a certified ESL and TEFL instructor with extensive experience teaching early literacy and reading skills to young children, including neurodivergent learners. I currently tutor reading and language arts on multiple platforms, where I support students in phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency, and comprehension using explicit, systematic instruction. I have training and classroom experience with UFLI Foundations, an evidence-based program that teaches foundational skills through a clear, eight-step routine, as well as the Reading Reflex/Phono-Graphix approach, which emphasizes sound‑to‑symbol relationships, word building, and decoding practice. In my sessions, I draw on these structured literacy methods while individualizing pacing, materials, and supports for each child, including those with autism and other learning differences. My goal is to build confident, joyful readers by combining research‑based instruction with patience, clear routines, and engaging activities that respect each learner’s unique profile.

Special Needs

As a certified AI in Special Education specialist (Microsoft & Google) and experienced IEP parent advocate, I support families and students navigating the intersection of neurodiversity, assistive technology, and inclusive learning. My 11 years providing accessibility services at Apple — including VoiceOver, Switch Control, AAC devices, and Made for iPhone hearing aids — gives me hands-on fluency with the tools many special needs students rely on daily. I hold ESL and TEFL certifications and have developed 70+ published educational resources rooted in neurodiversity-affirming frameworks, including materials aligned with the Gestalt Language Processing approach. I bring both professional expertise and the deeply personal perspective of a parent advocate who has navigated the IEP process firsthand.