FAQs
What is Literacy Tutoring?
Literacy encompasses not only reading and writing, but also phonological awareness, comprehension, spelling, morphology, vocabulary, and more! Further explanation can be found under the ‘What is Literacy Tutoring?’ link.
Whereas traditional tutoring supports and reinforces classroom learning, my approach is more like targeted teaching. I plan individualized lessons to address foundational literacy skills and specific needs, building upon skills as time goes on. I am not a homework helper, but a specialized teacher who will meet your child’s specific needs in the area of literacy.
Do You Have a Business License?
Yes! I hold a City of Airdrie 2026 Business License: LC2003184.
Do You Only Teach Literacy?
Yes. Literacy is my specialty and greatest area of interest, and forms all of my current professional development and personal study. I focus exclusively on literacy, ensuring that your child receives specialized and dedicated instruction. As such, I only provide literacy instruction and do not tutor any other subjects.
What Ages Do You Teach?
I have a Bachelor of Education focusing in elementary grades, so my teaching experience spans kindergarten through grade 6. All of my students start with me at this age, but they will often stay with me through middle school and beyond if needed.
Do You Teach Students with Dyslexia or Other Needs?
Absolutely! In fact, students with language-based needs such as dyslexia are my favourite to help! My teaching methods are based upon current research that ALL learners benefit from, so whether your child has an official diagnosis or not, they WILL be getting instruction that is most appropriate for their needs.
I also have experience with students with ADHD, dysgraphia, and apraxia of speech.
Do You Have Reviews or Testimonials?
Yes! You can check out some reviews on Google.
You’ll find some different reviews on my Facebook page. Please follow me!
Can We Meet Before Committing to Tutoring Sessions?
Of course! Please contact me to arrange an initial meet-and-greet of about 20-25 minutes.
During this time, I will determine what your goals are for your child, explain what a typical session would look like, and answer any questions that you may have.
There is no cost for this meet-and-greet and there is no obligation to start services.
Take some time to think it over, and if you feel that I would be a good fit for your child then you can contact me to arrange the start of services.
How Long is a Tutoring Session?
I plan each session for about 50 minutes, but it may run anywhere from 45-55 minutes, depending on the child and the lesson that day. I take my cues from your child: we may push a lesson as long as possible when they are fully engaged, or we may end on the earlier side in order to end on a positive note.
What is the Frequency of Sessions?
The same time slot will be reserved for you each week. Once you commit to a weekly time slot it is very hard to change your time. Please schedule other activities around your time slot.
Sessions are once a week. I rarely have the time to consistently do sessions twice a week; however, if you would like bonus sessions now and then, I can let you know whenever I have a cancellation.
Where Are Tutoring Sessions Held?
I only tutor in the city of Airdrie, Alberta.
I will come to your home for all sessions. (Yay! No interruption to your busy day!)
When Are Tutoring Sessions Held?
Sessions might be held after school, in the early evenings, on weekends, on professional development days, on holidays, etc.
A consistent day and time will be reserved for you each week.
How Long Do Students Need Tutoring?
This varies! Many students meet their educational goals within a year or two. Some other students benefit from ongoing support and stay with me for many years.
Progress depends on many factors, such as level of intervention needed, specific areas of need, student attention, willingness, and participation, any diagnosed or suspected learning disabilities, and consistency of home practice.
What Are Our Family Responsibilities?
The family agrees to:
- make tutoring sessions a priority and avoid cancellations when possible
- provide an area to work with as minimal distractions as possible
- encourage your child to listen and do their best work during a session
- support your child’s learning by practicing reading on a regular basis and completing the homework assignments
Is There Homework?
YES. Books, poems, decodable word lists, and reading passages may make up your child’s reading homework.
Some students may be asked to practice letter formation and spelling words based on patterns taught in lessons or be given a learning game or activity to work on.
All materials for homework, such as pencils, dry-erase markers, game pieces, dice, etc. are provided for you!
Regular review of the materials that I leave is essential. Even just 5 minutes daily will make a huge difference in your child’s success!
FREQUENCY is more important than duration; CONSISTENCY is more important than perfection.
Practice at home will dramatically improve your child’s progress and is VITAL to overall success. Tutoring once a week is not sufficient; your support at home is essential. Please make the time!
Can I Reschedule or Cancel A Session?
Rescheduling a session is possible, provided that I have extra availability that week. There is no guarantee of being able to reschedule a session, as my time is usually fully booked.
Late cancellations are subject to a full charge for the session. I am very understanding of occasional cancellations due to other commitments and activities, but you must provide at least 24 hours’ notice.
No-shows are subject to a full charge for missed sessions. Please ensure that your family is home at the scheduled time each week.
Please cancel your session at any time that day if your child is sick or not feeling well. No charge for illness-related cancellations, but as much notice as possible is greatly appreciated. Please do not take advantage of this policy.
Please give 24 hours‘ notice if you need to cancel a session for any reason other than illness/emergency. Late cancellations without just cause are charged the regular session rate.
How Will I Know How My Child Is Doing?
At the end of each session, I usually have a few minutes to let you know how your child did that day. If I have more to explain, you may get a brief text or email after a session.
I’m available and happy to chat! Please contact me at any time with any questions or concerns about your child’s progress.
Can I Cancel Tutoring Services?
The family may terminate services at any time; no reason is required.
Advance notice of a final session is requested and greatly appreciated in order to collect any borrowed materials, say goodbye, and have closure.
Can the Tutor Cancel Tutoring Services?
I may terminate services at any time. Some reasons for termination may include things such as non-payment, repeated late payments, too many cancellations, my opinion that the sessions are not beneficial for the child, or that I am not meeting the child’s needs.
What is the Cost of Tutoring?
I realize that the investment in tutoring services can be expensive. The fee takes into account:
- My education, experience, and ongoing training in literacy development
- Time to plan individualized lessons each week
- In-person and 1-on-1 teaching focused on your child
- Student materials such as notebooks, pencils, markers, dice, etc., and a folder to hold supplies
- Ongoing printing costs for home practice: activities, games, reading passages, etc.
- Careful selection of books for your child to borrow each week
- Ability to borrow from my extensive collection of games, activity boxes, and other educational materials
- My travel time and gas – I conveniently come to your home!
- Regular communication about progress
- Ongoing parental support by email and text – reach out anytime!
- Communication with your child’s teacher, IPP input, observations for a psych-ed assessment, etc.
I believe that literacy should be a fundamental right for all children. In order to aim to be affordable for most families, I try to keep my fee as low as possible while valuing my time and expertise.
Rates can differ based on your child’s specific needs and/or your location. Rates are subject to change at any time. Please contact me for my current rate.
How Do I Pay for Services?
Please pay for tutoring sessions by cash or EMT. Payment is due within 24 hours of the session. You are welcome to pay each week or pay for multiple sessions in advance.
Is There a Waitlist?
Currently, yes. There is a high need for specialized literacy instruction and not enough hours in a day. Many of my students stay with me for multiple years in a row, so limited spots open each year. Please reach out to be added to the waitlist.
Moving off the waitlist depends on multiple factors, not just your chronological position. As I travel to my students, I need to consider my travel time and try to schedule students together from the same area of the city.
Being added to the waitlist is not a guarantee that I will have a spot for you. Please continue to research other tutors. Although I don’t have any personal recommendations, I can provide tips on what to look for in a tutor and give a list of possible leads to consider.
Even if I’m not able to offer you a spot, I am more than happy to provide some resources and tips for working with your child at home. Please let me know what you’re struggling with, and I’ll do my best to help!
Do You Do Virtual Sessions?
Literacy tutoring, especially for younger students, is most easily and effectively done in person. My tutoring style relies on lots of hands-on materials for students to manipulate. These elements are hard to do with a virtual format.
At this time, I do not offer virtual sessions.
More Questions?
Please contact me.
