Question 1

Who do I teach?

Accepted Answer

I teach any child from Year 0-9 (age 5-14)

Mostly, the children I teach are struggling in class with literacy. However, any child can benefit from struggling learners to those who want to get ahead.

I can also tailor my lessons to focus on areas that your child specifically struggles in, for example, writing, reading, spelling or handwriting.

Lessons are especially suitable for children with suspected or diagnosed Dyslexia.

I also teach children who have English as an additional language (ESOL).

Question 2

When and where are the lessons?

Accepted Answer

Most lessons take place in my home in central Waikanae.

I teach before school (7.30 am - 8.15 am),  during school times on Mondays and after 1 pm Tues-Fri, and after school until 6pm.

I hold lessons at Kapakapanui and Waikanae Schools on Mondays and after lunch. I have a great relationship with teachers at both schools and am happy to liaise with them to gain the best outcomes for your child.

Homeschool:
I am happy to teach children who are homeschooled at my home, at a time that suits us both (see times available above).

Parents/carers are most welcome to sit in on the lessons.

Sickness/absence:
If your child is sick or cannot make a lesson, please give me a minimum 24 hours notice and I will try and provide a catch-up session.

Term-time holiday absence:
If a child is absent for 2 weeks or longer during term time for a family holiday, then 1 lesson payment per week is required to maintain their space.

Notice period:
A minimum of 2 weeks notice is required for students leaving mid-term.

Lessons cancelled without reasonable notice, or if you fail to attend, will be charged.

Question 3

What are the costs?

Accepted Answer

Lessons are $90 per hour (incl. GST)

45 minute lessons are available for $70.
30 minute lessons are available for $45.

The initial assessment is included as the first lesson.

Prices include extra time for planning, resources and stationery.
15% GST is included in the price.

Lessons cancelled without reasonable notice, or if you fail to attend, you will be charged.

IEP Meetings:
If you would like me to attend or assist with IEP meetings at school, the same hourly rate will apply.

In-school lessons, outside Kapiti will incur an extra $15 to cover time and petrol.

Term Time Holidays:
If a child is unable to attend their lesson due to a family holiday for 2 weeks or more during the school term, 1 lesson payment per week is still expected in order to keep their place with me.

Question 4

What are the payment details?

Accepted Answer

Please pay into my bank account within 2 days of teaching.

Bank account details:

Account Name: Read Write Kapiti (via Hnry)
Account Number: 12-3192-0736170-37

Invoices can be sent to you on request. These are to be paid at the beginning of each term, or on a weekly basis over the term.

Question 5

What do lessons look like/include?

Accepted Answer

Each lesson is planned and tailored for your child's individual needs.

I use an explicit Science of Reading approach, as this is the most effective way children become literate.

Younger students gradually learn the 44 sounds of the English language and learn to blend these into words. They can then use these skills to read, spell and write words accurately. At the same time, we work on vocabulary and comprehension which are skills that are built on by having a sound foundation of being able to read the words on the page.

For older students, the focus will continue to be based on individual needs, these include spelling, handwriting, comprehension, writing skills, grammar and vocabulary.

The Science of Reading is an approach and is not a specific programme. My training, background knowledge and experience will help your child succeed whatever their needs.

I am always happy to talk about how this approach can work for your child.

Question 6

What are my qualifications?

Accepted Answer

I hold the following relevant qualifications:

Bachelor of Teaching (University of Waikato).

Post Graduate Diploma in Literacy Teaching (University of Waikato)
	Including papers: 	Effective Literacy Intervention
					Early Literacy Teaching 
					Teaching children with Dyslexia
				   	Teaching English as a Second Language (children)

I am an experienced, registered NZ Primary Teacher.

Structured Literacy:
IMSLE Reading Specialist Training, leading to a Dyslexia Specialist Qualification.

Liz Kane Literacy Professional Development (3 years)

Better Start Literacy Teacher Credential (University of Canterbury)
Better Start Literacy Reading Specialist Facilitator (University of Canterbury)

Cox Campus Structured Literacy Program & Exam - accredited by the International Dyslexia Association.

Overcoming Dyslexia, Yale University
Understanding Dyslexia, Open University, UK.

Question 7

What is my experience?

Accepted Answer

I am a fully qualified registered NZ teacher.
I have taught structured literacy for over 8 years both in a school environment and private tutoring.

Question 8

Do you have Testimonials Available?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely:

"My seven year old son has learning difficulties and was not looking forward to doing extra reading and writing out of school. After one session with Mary, his whole attitude changed. He really looks forward to seeing her. So do we! Mary is so kind, patient and really wants the best for him. She has a really great way of teaching to make kids want to try. She has made such a difference and we appreciate her. Mary has many resources to engage my son’s interest. She is helpful in working out areas that need more work and ways to help. We totally recommend her for tutoring. Any child is lucky to have her."
Mel B

"My son was struggling with his reading at school. We were given Mary’s number and she was very upfront with her knowledge and skills before we met. When working with my son Mary was patient, kind and funny. My son enjoyed having lessons from Mary as she combined both learning and games in her teaching. Mary has awesome communication and is incredibly understanding and non judgmental. I would thoroughly recommend Mary for children struggling with reading and writing."
Debbie B

FB Feedback:
"Mary is an absolute superstar, my boy who doesn't like school much, loves his tutoring sessions and it's making a huge difference in both his education and his self confidence."
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"Mary has supported my son, who was so far behind because of late diagnosis hearing loss and ASD, it was scary. The progress he has made in two terms with Mary is fantastic. We are so grateful for her support. Highly recommend. He will continue to be supported by Mary and we now have a less scary vision of his future."

"We are so grateful for the lessons we had for A. She is no longer struggling with her writing and she really enjoyed every one of your lessons 😊 Highly recommend !!"

"I can vouch for Mary, she tutored my son, he really enjoyed his time with her and we saw a massive improvement at school."

Question 9

Do your lessons match the new 2025 NZ curriculum?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all applicable lessons have been updated to match the new curriculum up to Year 6 (Years 7-8 will be updated once the curriculum has been published later this year).

Question 10

What about Maths?

Accepted Answer

Maths lessons are available for struggling learners (same cost/location) up to year 4.

I use Numicon and other structured maths resources to assist learners.

Although my additional teaching qualifications are in literacy, I find that children who are struggling with literacy often struggle with maths (dyscalculia). I have the skills and knowledge to help your child.

Numicon website: https://www.numicon.co.nz (https://www.numicon.co.nz)
Multisensory maths website: https://multisensorymath.online/ (https://multisensorymath.online/)

Question 11

Which Literacy assessments are used in the first session?

Accepted Answer

A child's first lesson will always be an assessment and explanation of how I teach for parents. I will explain everything, answer any questions and find a starting point for helping your children.

Obviously, I am happy to look over any previous appropriate assessments you may have, e.g. tests for Dyslexia.

For literacy, I use the Little Learners Love Literacy Assessment (LLARS), Phonic Books Assessment or Dibels for older Children. These assessments provide a baseline and helps me identify your child's needs and gaps.

The assessments cover these areas:
Phonological awareness
Phonemic awareness
Letter/sound identification
Single word reading
Non-word reading
Reading of a decodable text
Heart words (words which the students may not have the knowledge to decode)
Reading Comprehension
Fluency

I also use the spelling assessments from The Code (Liz Kane Literacy).

Question 12

Which resources/scope & sequence are used?

Accepted Answer

I use the following Literacy resources:

Scope & Sequence (older students):
 I use the IMSLE scope and sequence targeting specific areas that may have been missed or that students are struggling with.

Scope & Sequence:
For younger students I follow the Little Learners Love Literacy Scope & sequence.
The scope & sequence is a way of systematically teaching all of the 44 phonemes of English:
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f17f67_f201b5d6747e49dc81b55985382a6ed5~mv2.jpeg

Decodable books 
Little Learners Love Literacy (fiction & non-fiction)
Phonic Books for older children
UFLI decodable passages

Non decodable books are used for fluency and comprehension.

Spelling:
IMSLE through their scope & sequence
The Code by Liz Kane Literacy
Heart words from Little Learners Love Literacy (tricky words)
Morphology Magic - for older learners

Writing:
Being able to write with fluency is very important. I explicitly teach handwriting - either printing or NZ cursive. The writing process is also a vital area of writing that I teach to older children. I ensure children understand the concept of a sentence, and build on their syntax knowledge from there.

Grammar:
I integrate grammar as part of a literacy lesson.

Other resources:
UFLI Explicit and Systematic Phonics Program (University of Florida).
Phonemic Awareness activities 
Games from a variety of sources including Liz Kane Literacy
Better Start Literacy Approach selected resources (University of Canterbury).
The Syntax and Morphology Project (Australian based)

I do NOT use PM readers, Early words, essential spelling lists or other Balanced Literacy approaches.

Maths Resources:
I primarily use maths resources suitable for a structured maths approach (e.g. Numicon and Prime Maths), as well as a range of other resources based on your child's needs.

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