Services Offered
One-on-One Tutoring
I offer private one-on-one tutoring for students ages five and above who are experiencing reading difficulties or need assistance learning strategies for focusing, organizing or studying. While I will occasionally help a student who is having difficulty on a homework assignment or teach a student how to approach reading a textbook or writing assignment, I am not a “homework assistant.”
I provide explicit, systematic, direct instruction in learning to read to children with dyslexia or learning disabilities. Additionally, I work with students to develop study skills and organizational strategies that will make them more successful in class and with homework.
My services include communicating with the student’s teacher and helping parents acquire appropriate services for their child in the school the child attends. Attendance at eligibility or IEP services may be arranged for a separate fee if my schedule allows.
I will offer tutoring during the school day at the child’s private school if the school allows and my schedule allows. Otherwise, services are offered at the educational center in my home in Midlothian until 7pm.
Educational Advocacy
I also offer Educational Consultation to parents to help them through the special education eligibility and I.E.P. process. I charge an hourly fee to review, draft, and attend eligibility and I.E.P meetings with you at your child’s school. My goal is to help you advocate for your child’s needs.
Workshops
I have several workshops that I present to local schools, dyslexia organizations, and parents organizations.
Learning and the Brain
Dyslexia and ADHD Comorbidity and Reading Comprehension
Understanding Dyslexia and How to Serve Children with Dyslexia
Understanding ADHD, Classroom Modifications and Accommodations, and Treatment Options
Adding to Your Parent Toolbox: Strategies to Help Your Dyslexic and/or ADHD Child Succeed at School
Differentiating Instruction
Multisensory Instruction
Phonological Awareness
My workshops are well received and I am passionate about advocating for those who learn differently!
Robin Hegner
Prior to starting Pathways To Reading Success, I worked as an Orton-Gillingham instructor at Riverside School for ten years. Riverside is one of only twelve schools in the country that has an approved Orton-Gillingham instructional program for students with dyslexia.
In addition to my one-on-one teaching experience, I taught social skills and a class for students transitioning from Riverside to other private schools or public schools in the Richmond, Virginia area. This transition class focused on self-advocacy, learning styles, study skills, and organizational strategies. Currently, I am a Fellow-in-Training serving as a member of Riverside School's training faculty.
I am trained at the Certified level of The Orton-Gillingham Academy. In addition, I am certified as a Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist by the Center for Effective Reading Instruction. For a description of those certification requirements, click here and click here. The Academy certifies Individual Members at one of four levels: Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator (OGCE), Associate, Certified, and Fellow. These four levels represent a continuum of increasing training, experience and professional competency.
As someone who is trained at the Certified level, I have received over 160 hours of coursework in teaching students with dyslexia, over 200 hours of practicum experience, at least 20 observations by a Fellow in The Academy, and I have completed an extensive reading list and application.
Persons accepted into The Orton-Gillingham Academy have met standards set by The Academy under the authority granted to it by action of the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York, for and on behalf of the State Education Department.
Prior to Riverside School, I was an attorney specializing in education and special education law. I have extensive experience working with school divisions on the provision of special education services to students with disabilities.
I have taught education law and special education law for both the University of Virginia and John Tyler Community College. I have spoken statewide and nationally on issues related to teaching students with disabilities and working with students with ADHD.
In 1991, I led the first legislative study on ADHD in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I am also a parent of a child with ADHD and understand the struggles of raising a child with learning differences.
My passion is teaching students with dyslexia and ADHD. I love the challenge of coming up with a creative way to help a child make breakthroughs in learning. I believe that teaching students must be done with compassion, enthusiasm, and an acknowledgement that one must look at the whole child, not just the “academic” child.
Click here to read an article written about me by Andrew Blair for Riverside School.