Customized lessons to meet your child's needs and learning style
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Proven results with a systematic, multisensory approach
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Hands-on and exciting learning atmosphere
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Ongoing assessment and progress monitoring
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One-hour sessions
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Cooperation and communication between home, school, and tutoring
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Monica DiPilato, Orton-Gillingham Reading Specialist
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I graduated with a BS in Elementary Education from Miami University in Ohio. After graduating, I taught first and second graders in a multi-age school in Greensboro, NC. During this time, I saw the need for better reading instruction and remediation. In 1999, I went to the Key Learning Center in Asheville, NC to complete the Orton-Gillingham Level I course. I spent the following year working with a master tutor, and I have been tutoring children with reading challenges and dyslexia ever since.
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I moved to Raleigh in 2001, where I taught first grade in Raleigh and Durham. I had such a passion and empathy for children who were struggling with reading, that I became the reading specialist at Duke School in 2003. I also married my husband that year, and we now have a daughter and a son. We love to hike, bike, camp, travel, read, and spend time with our family and friends.
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Throughout the years I have attended multiple workshops including the Hill Center Methodology and the Wilson Reading System Overview. In my tutoring practice, I use Orton-Gillingham as the basis of what I do. In addition, I utilize other techniques, materials, and methods to match the needs of each child.
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Currently, I am in the middle of working to get my certification at the Certified-level through the Orton-Gillingham Academy. It is a three-year process. I love working with my Orton-Gillingham fellow, and other practitioners around the country to further my education and training.
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I love collaborating with parents as they work to figure out the best tools to help their child reach his/her potential. I can also relate first-hand to the challenges of raising children with learning disablities. I look forward to supporting you and your child.
About Me
What is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
INDIVIDUALIZED & PERSONAL
Meeting the needs of learners, no two of whom are alike.
Recognizing the different needs of each learner.
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MULTISENSORY
Using all learning pathways ~ visual, auditory, and kinesthetic
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DIAGNOSTIC & PRESCRIPTIVE
Monitoring students' responses in order to identify each students' needs.
Developing prescriptive lessons based on those needs.
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DIRECT INSTRUCTION
Working to insure that students understand what, why, and how material is to be learned.
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SYSTEMATIC PHONICS
Stressing the sound/symbol relationships inherent in the alphabetic system of reading development and writing.
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SYSTEMATIC & STRUCTURED
Presenting information in an ordered way that indicates the relationship between the current material and past material taught.
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SEQUENTIAL, INCREMENTAL, & CUMULATIVE
Moving from the simple, well-learned material to that which is more complex in a logical manner.
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Adapted from: The Gillingham Manual, Gillingham, and Bessie W. Stillman, EPS, Inc. 1997 and The Key School website: carolinaday.org/academics/key-school/orton-gillingham
Services
Location
In my home:
I am located near the intersection of Creedmoor Road and Lynn Road.
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In the student's home
Rates
My home office: $90/hour
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Student's home, 1-3 miles: $95/hour
Student's home, 3+ miles: $100/hour
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First assessment session with student: $275, one-time fee
This covers an assessment, the time needed to analyze assessments and develop a tutoring plan, and a parent meeting.
Cancellations
Advanced notice cancellations: Please let me know as far in advance as possible so we can reschedule.
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Last-minute cancellations: Cancellations with less than 24-hours notice will be charged for the full session.
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Life happens!
All students will have one "free" last-minute cancellation.
Getting Started
Please email or call so we can set up an initial meeting.
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First, I will meet with parents to discuss your child's background, services received, assessments, or any other relevant information.
Next, I will assess your child over one or two sessions.
Then we will be ready to make a plan and begin tutoring.
Parent Comments
"Thank you for giving Abby the 'gift' of reading. You teach with such warmth and care, and you make every child feel successful."
~ Parent of a second grader
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What is dyslexia?Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms, which results in difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually experience challenges with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Dyslexia affects people throughout their lives; however, with proper remediation, a student can gain tools to work through challenges.