Myapproach
Many students who struggle with reading have had very difficult, humiliating, and demoralizing experiences in traditional educational settings. It is no surprise that they would have some hesitation about starting tutoring for reading and spelling! During my online sessions, I strive to make the student feel safe, comfortable, encouraged, and challenged. My passion is empowering students to master skills that they thought were inaccessible to them and have fun while doing it!
More about me
Hi, I'm Erin Trapp! I am a K-12 teacher, and I completed my BA in Teaching English as a Second Language at Winona State University. My specialties are dyslexia, Literacy, ESL, Spanish, and Early Childhood Development. I have a wide range of teaching experiences, including 1st grade, 7th grade literacy, high school Spanish and ESL, Pre-K, as well as six years of one-on-one virtual tutoring.
During the beginning years of my teaching career, I observed students at various levels struggle with literacy. I was struck by the lack of adequate support for students with dyslexia in the traditional educational system, and I wanted to become a part of the solution. I dove into studying the challenges that students with dyslexia face and discovered the importance of learning an Orton-Gillingham based approach. In speaking with a Barton tutor with 15+ years of experience, who later became my mentor, I was inspired by the structure and proven effectiveness of the Barton Reading & Spelling System. Combining my years of experience in one-on-one tutoring and my passion for literacy, I became a Barton-trained, full-time tutor. The ability to read opens up a world of opportunities, and it is such rewarding work to empower students with this skill.
What is learning with Trapp Tutoring like?
One-On-One
The Barton Reading & Spelling System is designed for consistent, one-on-one instruction to see the best results and ensure that each student receives the needed support.
Fully Remote
I teach entirely online so I can meet with students no matter where they live. My schedule is flexible to meet the needs of your busy life!
Interactive and Multisensory
I use Koala Go as my teaching platform because it provides a highly interactive remote teaching option. Koala Go allows me to teach the same content in a gamified, engaging way! You do not need an account; I will simply send you a link to my classroom.
Barton System
The Barton Reading & Spelling System is intentionally structured for crucial building blocks of reading and spelling to be learned in an effective sequence. It is an Orton-Gillingham based intervention for reading and spelling, comprised of 10 levels. It takes most students about two to three years to complete all ten levels, and the pace depends on the student.
Multiple Times per Week
To see the best results, it is important to have tutoring 2-3 times each week so that the learned skills are not forgotten, but rather can be built upon to see impressive improvement. Classes are typically 50 minutes, but modifications can be made based on the needs of the student.
Fun
Many of my students start class thinking reading is too challenging for them, feeling defeated before the first day. I flip the script and make sure every class is accessible, enjoyable, and personalized with tailored games and content to the students' interests. I love seeing my students go from discouraged to delighted in just 50 minutes!
What do you need to start tutoring?
Reliable Internet
For Koala Go to be supported, you need a download and upload speed of at least 30 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload.Check your speed on Speedtest.
Computer, Chromebook, or iPad
Koala Go is compatible with all computers, Chromebooks, and iPads. At this time, tutoring is not possible via iPhone.
Webcam
If your computer has a built-in webcam, that will work just fine!
Headset with mouthpiece
Both the student and I will be working with important sound distinctions, so a headset helps to ensure that everyone is understood clearly and the sounds are learned correctly.
Computer mouse
Because my tutoring style is highly interactive, students will be manipulating objects on the screen a lot. A mouse may facilitate manipulation, especially for younger kids.
Who is this for?
Trapp Tutoring is created for any student who is struggling with reading and writing. No official diagnosis of dyslexia is required. In order to successfully use the Barton system, the student must:
- be at least 5 years old or in kindergarten.
- speak and comprehend spoken English.
- pass a short student screening that I will administer before we begin tutoring.