cracking the code literacy
English is a code. Anyone can crack it.
One-on-one structured literacy tutoring for dyslexic students in Edmonton, Alberta — building real reading skills and real confidence, one session at a time.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia makes reading, writing and spelling hard — not because a child isn’t smart or isn’t trying, but because of how their brain processes language. Often referred to as a specific learning disorder, it is a neurobiological condition: difficulties with accurate or fluent reading, spelling and decoding stem from a deficit in the phonological component of language. Secondary effects can include difficulty with comprehension, vocabulary and background knowledge.
According to the International Dyslexia Association, 15–20% of students have some symptoms of dyslexia, including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing, or mixing up similar words. Here is the encouraging part: with appropriate instruction using a structured literacy approach, almost everyone with dyslexia can learn to read and write.
The Orton-Gillingham approach
In the 1920s, neurobiologist Samuel Orton teamed up with educator Anna Gillingham to create an explicit, multisensory, structured approach to remediating language-based learning difficulties. A century later, the Orton-Gillingham approach is considered the gold standard of reading instruction for students with dyslexia.
Lessons engage seeing, hearing and feeling together, so the symbols and structures of the English language become automatic. Instruction moves in a systematic, sequential way at a pace set by the individual student — a step-by-step progression, tailored to each student’s needs and learning style, that leads to mastery, competence and confidence.
Language comprehension
Becoming increasingly strategic.
- Background knowledge
- Vocabulary
- Language structures
- Verbal reasoning
- Literacy knowledge
Word recognition
Becoming increasingly automatic.
- Phonological awareness
- Decoding
- Sight recognition
Woven together, strand by strand: skilled, fluent reading.
Learn more from the International Dyslexia Association: Dyslexia at a glance IDA fact sheets
Meet the instructor
Connie
Founder & Orton-Gillingham Practitioner
Connie has been a classroom teacher since 1998, teaching students at many grade levels with a wide variety of academic, social and behavioural needs. After nine years in the classroom, she was frustrated that she still wasn’t reaching the students who struggled most with reading and writing. The rigorous training to become an Orton-Gillingham practitioner — completed in 2007 — gave her the key to “cracking the code” of the English language, and she has used it ever since to the benefit of many students, both in the classroom and through one-on-one private teaching.
In 2021 she joined a team of OG practitioners as a supervisor and mentor to new OG trainees. She also helped organize member-to-member meetings with her OG colleagues in the Edmonton area, building a community of professionals committed to learning and growing in their knowledge and teaching of structured literacy.
Away from the lesson table, Connie is usually moving — cycling, hiking, swimming, or racing off to the mountains for a cross-country ski — or walking her dog in Edmonton’s river valley. Evenings might mean a concert, a musical or a play; inspired by talented musicians, she’s learning to play the violin.
- Certified Orton-Gillingham Practitioner since 2007
- Bachelor of Education (Special Education)
- Bachelor of Kinesiology (Adapted Physical Education)
- Classroom teacher since 1998
- Supervisor & mentor to OG trainees
What sessions look like
Always one-on-one
Every session is 1:1 and around 60 minutes, built around your child’s pace and learning style.
Usually twice a week
Most students come two times per week — the frequency that makes new skills stick — with more sessions welcome if desired.
Year-round
Available throughout the school year, with holiday sessions on request.
At Connie’s home — with Zeke
Lessons take place at Connie’s home in Edmonton, so the free introduction doubles as a meet-and-greet with Zeke, the resident dog.
Skills we build, lesson by lesson
- Phonological & phonemic awareness Hearing, separating and playing with the sounds inside words.
- Phonograms Connecting speech sounds to the letters and letter teams that spell them.
- Spelling Patterns and rules taught explicitly, not memorized lists.
- Handwriting Letter formation and the fine motor skills behind it.
- Sequencing Putting sounds, ideas and events in order.
- Grammar Writing clear sentences and well-built paragraphs.
- Morphology Unlocking longer words through prefixes, suffixes and roots.
- Working memory Strengthening the mental workspace reading depends on.
- Comprehension Understanding and thinking about what was read.
- Keyboarding Typing skills that support written work at school.
What families say
“After six months, my son went from dreading reading time to reading to his little sister at bedtime. I never thought I would see that.”
“The sessions are the highlight of her week. She finally has someone who explains reading in a way that clicks for her brain.”
“As a classroom teacher I have referred several families here. The structured, step-by-step approach works — and the kids feel proud, not behind.”
Pricing
One simple rate — no packages, no long-term contracts. And introductions and consulting are always free.
Introduction & consultation
Free
There is never a charge for introductions or consulting. Meet Connie, talk through your child’s needs, and see whether it’s a good fit.
- ✓ No charge, no commitment
- ✓ A chance for your child to meet Connie — and Zeke
- ✓ Honest advice on next steps, whatever they are
One-on-one sessions
$80 per session
Individual Orton-Gillingham lessons, tailored to your child.
- ✓ One-on-one, around 60 minutes
- ✓ Usually two sessions per week — more if desired
- ✓ Available through the school year, holidays on request
Get in touch
Tell us a little about your child and we'll get back to you within one business day to set up a free introduction. Only the fields marked * are required — share as much as you like, and we'll cover the rest when we meet.