Stevens' reading & Spelling tutoring service

About Mrs. Gretchen Stevens

  • 26 years teaching (K-8) experience & presently has 17 students she is tutoring, ages 7 to 63 years old.
  • B.S. in Multi-disciplinary studies in Education & Religion from Liberty University-Magna Cum Laude
  • Certified in the Carden Method (1000+ hours training)
  • Foundation is Sounds trained
  • LiPS Trained
  • Trained to use the Rewards! Multi-Syllable Reading Intervention program
  • Trained to give the Catalyst! Visual Processing assessment
  • Certified Barton tutor
  • Professional Development-175+ hours on such topics as: Autism, Asperger's, ADD, ADHD, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Classroom Accommodations & Modifications, Classroom Management, Multiple Intelligences, Differentiated Learning and more.

    Sage Oak, & iLead Charter School Vendor
Does Your Child Struggle in School?
Spelling
  • Does your child have trouble retaining her spelling words from one week to the next?
  • Does she have trouble spelling words when writing sentences or stories, even high frequency words like because, friend, and does?
Math
  • Does your child have trouble memorizing his math facts?
  • Is he unable to tell time on a clock with hands?

Handwriting
  • The letters don't sit on the line
  • There may be odd spacing between the words
  • Tail letters are sometimes written as short ones
  • Tails don't always hang below the line
  • Sentences often do not start with capital letters
  • Punctuation is often left out
Reading
  • Does your child have trouble sounding out new words? (decoding)
  •  Does he guess based on the shape of the word or context?
  • Does he hate reading aloud in class?
  • Does he ignore suffixes (ing, ly) and small words (at, to, of)?
  • Does he read haltingly, while his peers read smoothly? (fluency)
  • Does his slow reading affect timed tests?

    Does he have trouble understanding what he reads? (comprehension)
Tutoring Sessions
  • Tutoring seesions are 55 minutes, 2 times per week, year round
  • 55-minute sessions are $50.00
  • Contact Mrs. Stevens for an appointment to have your student assessed.
  • Location options are available for tutoring sessions. Additional fees may apply.
Curriculum
Mrs. Stevens uses the Foundation in Sounds Program & the Barton Reading & Spelling System in her reading & spelling tutoring. They are based on the Orton-Gillingham Method and are research based. They are multi-sensory and are explicit and systematic phonics programs. She also uses much of the Carden Method both in phonics & letter formation.
Lindamood-Bell Phonemic Sequencing (LiPS) is unlike other phonics programs. Students learn how their mouths produce the sounds of language, thereby learning how to self-correct in reading, spelling & speaking. The Barton Reading & Spelling System is a sequential phonics program that begins with sounds only. After students learn how to manipulate sounds, then they are introduced to the symbols of the letters, digraphs, blends, units, etc. They proceed through 10 levels learning why words are spelled the way they are and specific rules to help them remember. Both programs help with decoding, fluency, comprehension, grammar, and silent reading.  Mrs. Stevens also teaches her students correct letter formation using the Carden Method, and helps her students with vocabulary development during every lesson.
  • Contact Information
  • Gretchen Stevens
  • La Habra, California   90631
  • Leave a Message: 714.526.4444
  • Text Message: 714.337.4608
  • Email: GStevens12900@sbcglobal.net
Watch this sweet video about a little girl who finally learns to read.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abN2aP_Dzd0&feature=youtu.be
Testimonials
A Relieved Teenager says...
"Mrs. Stevens is teaching me things that I never learned before. I am learning the different rules for spelling. I now know that words have structure and are not just a random jumble of letters. It all makes sense now!"
-Kristin (age 15)

A Happy Child says...
"I really love Mrs. Stevens! She makes reading fun. She makes it easy. And I really feel like it's helping me improve. And I love earning Anna-bucks!"
-Anna (age 8)

A Grateful Mom says...
Tutoring with Mrs. Stevens has been a huge help and encouragement for our family! My kids absolutely love their time with her!  She is very patient and kind and they leave their sessions with more confidence and enthusiasm for things that are typically difficult for them. Mrs. Stevens has really individualized their instruction based on their areas of struggle. She makes learning fun and they enjoy the games she has them play. She is genuinely interested in their hobbies and activities and my kids always look forward to seeing her. I feel like their memory skills, writing, reading and spelling are improving from their time with her.
 –Lori Way, B.A. M.A. in Educational Ministries

Thrilled Parents write...
We have nothing but wonderful things to say about Mrs. Stevens. Both of our sons have been receiving tutoring for 2 years now, half of this time with her. The progress in their reading & writing has been tremendous!
Our oldest son has recently been retested by the public school district to see if he qualified for an IEP. To the delight of the school pyschologist and all of us present at the meeting, his test scores have improved so much he not longer qualifies!
I attribute it all to the tutoring and Mrs. Stevens' skills in teaching. The school staff was enthusiastic about continuing the tutoring and has agreed to allow us to pull him out during class time for tutoring.
-Michele & Devin, teacher & home schooler parents