Our Mission & Vision

Learning to read is an incredibly complex process, and writing is even more challenging. For some students, cracking the code might be one of the hardest things they will do in school. Many students who struggle do not have a learning disability; they simply haven’t received the right type of instruction or enough practice in the skills required to become proficient readers or writers. At Read-Write Tutoring, our mission is to provide the high-quality, individualized instruction necessary for every student to achieve literacy success.

Educate, Inspire, Succeed

Empowering Every Student to Become Confident Readers & Writers

What Type of Tutoring Do We Offer?

At Read-Write Tutoring, we implement a linguistic, structured literacy approach to teaching reading and writing. Our instruction is characterized by several essential elements:

• Concepts Explained Explicitly and Clearly: We break down reading and writing concepts into manageable parts, ensuring students understand each component thoroughly.
• Guided Practice: Students engage in guided practice sessions to reinforce learning.
• Instructional Routines: Consistent routines help build a strong foundation for literacy skills.
• Immediate Feedback: We provide immediate feedback to correct mistakes and reinforce correct responses.
• Planned Scope and Sequence: Instruction follows a carefully planned sequence, progressing from easier to more difficult concepts.
• Hands-On, Engaging, and Multi-Modal: Our sessions are interactive, using various modalities to keep students engaged.
• Works Toward Fluency: We focus on developing fluency in reading and writing.
• Careful Progress Monitoring: Continuous assessment ensures that instruction is effective and adjusted to meet each student's needs.

In addition to what is taught, how it’s taught is of utmost importance. We believe that effective instruction is systematic and explicit, tailored to each student's unique learning style.

Who Will Work with My Child?

While the program or curriculum used to provide instruction is important, we believe that curriculum alone doesn’t teach a child—an expert teacher does. The magic of learning lies in the craft of teaching. Our tutors have extensive experience and remain committed to continuous learning and staying abreast of cutting-edge practices. The founder and primary trainer for all tutors is a seasoned expert in literacy instruction, having undergone rigorous training specifically focused on teaching reading and writing.

Our Founder

Our tutoring business, Read-Write Tutoring, was born out of a deep-seated commitment to tackling the educational hurdles that students face today, particularly exacerbated by the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Witnessing the alarming trend of students falling behind in reading and writing, we recognized an urgent need for change. Fueled by a passion to make a tangible difference, we took action, establishing Read-Write Tutoring to make a difference.

At the helm of this endeavor is our founder, Sasha LaBelle, whose journey is deeply rooted in education and spans over two decades. Sasha's extensive experience as a certified teacher, instructional coach, and presently, a Teaching and Learning Facilitator for the Medford School District, underscores her unwavering commitment to student success. Her career trajectory has been marked by a steadfast dedication to nurturing young minds, particularly in grades K-5, and her current role includes curriculum development for English Language Arts (ELA) district-wide.

Throughout her career, Sasha has continually refined her skills through diverse professional development opportunities. From becoming a writing teacher consultant with the Oregon Writing Project, she has enriched her expertise. Additionally, Sasha has earned a micro-credential in the Science of Reading from Drexel University, reflecting her dedication to staying at the forefront of educational best practices.

Additional Tutor

Currently, we have one additional tutor available, Gwenne Penkert. With 30 years of experience in special education, Gwenne brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her tutoring sessions. As a retired certified teacher with an endorsement in special education, she has made significant contributions to the field of literacy education. Gwenne's commitment to literacy excellence has been recognized with several prestigious awards during her tenure in the Medford School District. Even in retirement, she remains deeply involved in education through substitute teaching and volunteering. An avid reader and writer, Gwenne also serves as an editor for educational projects sold on Teachers Pay Teachers, a digital teaching resource platform. Her passion lies in teaching children to read, making her a valuable asset to our team.

Fueled by Sasha and Gwenne's leadership and passion, Read-Write Tutoring is dedicated to empowering students. Together, we strive to provide exceptional support and personalized tutoring services, helping students excel in reading and writing to reach their fullest potential.

Where Does Instruction Take Place?

Currently, tutoring sessions are conducted in a designated quiet area within a home setting, providing a comfortable and focused learning environment. In the future, should the need arise, alternative arrangements in a public venue will be considered to ensure that every student has access to the best possible learning space.