One to one academic tutoring
& intensive academic intervention
Services
I work with neurotypical students and neurodiverse students who have:
ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including PDA, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, Executive Functioning Needs, Intellectual Disability, Memory and Processing Issues, OHI, Twice Exceptional students, and other special needs.
I do not take behavioral cases.
I tailor my approach to each individual student's specific needs in the following areas:
Literacy
Struggling Readers in Kindergarten and 2nd grade:
Developmentally appropriate, individually tailored Orton-Gillingham based, and Science of Reading based, programming for my youngest students using the BUILD program developed by Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital and Kickstart developed through ASDEC. These are precursors to programs like WRS and SIS, so your student can go directly from BUILD into WRS or SIS. The BUILD program focuses on the following 5 components: alphabet, letter/sound knowledge, phonological awareness (which includes phonemic awareness), vocabulary, and comprehension. I heavily supplement BUILD with other hands-on activities and decodable books for a fun and engaging experience.
Minimum 2, 60-minute sessions per week
Literacy
Students in grades K and higher who require support in reading comprehension:
Intensive, highly structured reading comprehension curricula including but not limited to:
LMB Visualizing and Verbalizing, LMB Talkies
Minimum 2, 60-minute sessions per week
Literacy
Dyslexic Students grades 2 and higher:
Orton-GIllingham based instruction for students with dyslexia or a Specific Learning Disability in the area of reading.
Wilson Reading System (WRS): An intensive, highly structured, multi-sensory curriculum targeting decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling).
Minimum 2 60-minute sessions per week
OR
Sounds in Syllables (SIS):
One of the most intensive, comprehensive programs for remediating dyslexia in a 1:1 setting
Minimum 3, 60-minute sessions per week
Math
Students in grades K-5 who require a multisensory, Orton-Gillingham based approach to math
Building a strong foundation in:
Numeracy/Number Sense: Subitizing, Counting, Comparing, Patterning
Addition and Subtraction
Multiplication and Division
Fractions, Decimals, Percents
Basic Geometry
Using materials from Marilyn Zecher Multisensory Math Level 1, Math-U-See, RightStart Math, Ronit Bird, and Kathy Richardson
Minimum 2, 60-minute sessions per week
Karin Wilkins, M.Ed.
My specialization and interests have always been working with
neurodiverse and neurotypical students at the elementary level. Most of my students are working at a pre-K to 5th grade level in the area(s) that are challenging to them. I am dedicated to working with my students to build a strong educational foundation through targeted, individualized, hands on, instruction. I believe that it is the teacher’s responsibility to figure out how to get each student to reach their goals, and it is up to the student to actively engage and participate.
I started teaching in 2001 after completing two separate masters degrees from Boston College; one in Early Childhood education and one in Special Needs education.
I was awarded the Bernard A. Stotsky/Thomas H. Browne Prize for demonstrating excellence in special education at the graduate level upon the completion of my degrees.
I create a safe, caring learning environment where children are free to take risks in their work and see themselves as successful students. With knowledge of many programs, tools, and strategies, I am instinctive and flexible in my teaching methodology, finding what works for each child to
meet them where they currently are and then scaffolding their learning to stretch them to new heights. My teaching style is relaxed, clear, flexible, and encouraging.
I am interested in supporting students to become independent, confident, motivated, life-long learners who know how to think for themselves and know how to problem solve. Having fun while learning and working with student interests is equally as important as delivering content and instruction in a meaningful, varied, and succinct way.
Professional Development
Continuing my education helps me be a better tutor and more positively influence my students' education. Here are some recent highlights:
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Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania
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I am training through ASDEC (Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center) in Sounds in Syllables (SIS) program for my CALT certification.
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Build: A K-1 Early Reading Intervention program from Scottish Rite for Children Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia
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Marilyn Zecher’s Multisensory Math Level 1 which focuses on K-5 math skills including numeracy (including subitizing, quantity awareness, pattern awareness), addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, decimals and percents. Multisensory Math follows the methods and principals of the Orton-Gillingham approach which is highly beneficial for students who struggle in math.
I am a proponent of mindfulness and meditation in my personal life. I am a
licensed educator and hold professional status in the state of Colorado.
FAQ
I am interested in an initial meeting, is that possible and is there a fee?
Each potential family is invited to come into my office for a free, 60-minute meet and greet session. At this time, we can get to know each other better and see if working together would be beneficial to your child. I will provide several activities for your child, get to know them and you, and go over any relevant documents you might have as well as discuss questions that you might have.
What hours are you available?
I take a limited number of families so that my time, attention, and focus are dedicated to your needs. I work Monday through Friday. Sessions begin at 8:00 am and end by 7:00 pm (6:00 pm during the summer).
Tutoring time slots are typically: 8-9, 9:15-10:15, 10:30-11:30, 2-3, 3:15-4:15, 4:30-5:30, 5:45-6:45
90 minute sessions can be accommodated.
What does your calendar look like?
I closely track with the BVSD calendar.
During the 2024 / 2025 school year I will offer sessions on the following days that BVSD does not have school:
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Monday 9/30
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Monday 1/6
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Monday 1/20
If BVSD has a snow day, my office will be closed. In the event of worsening weather on a day that is not deemed a snow day by BVSD, I may opt to cancel sessions for everyone’s safety.
Closures
My office will be closed:
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Wednesday, May 21 through Friday May 30, 2025.
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I will re-open for summer tutoring on Monday, June 2, 2025.
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Monday June 30 through Friday July 4, 2025
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Monday August 11 through Friday August 15, 2025
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My school year schedule will resume on Monday, August 18, 2025
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2025 Summer Session
My summer session runs June 2 through August 8, 2025. I tutor one-to-one over the summer vacation and am flexible with your summer plans. The summer schedule is set near the end of the school year in order to best accommodate everyone's summer activities.
Where are your sessions held?
Sessions are held at my home office.
Do you homeschool?
I am available to homeschool your child and I am happy to plan a curriculum customized for your child. I teach out of my home office due to availability of materials, which is especially important when multiple subjects are taught.
What type of tutoring schedule would you recommend?
There is a minimum tutoring commitment of two, 60-minute sessions per week. This will allow struggling learners to make larger gains over a shorter period. Studies confirm this. We can work together to devise a tutoring schedule that will meet your child’s specific needs.
*If you are a Sounds in Syllables (SIS) student, the minimum commitment is 3, 60-minute sessions per week.*
Do you require a contract?
No contract is required. As long as you are happy, we will continue our work together. I believe that you and your child will see growth and progress while working with me.
What extras are included?
Standard written updates are provided free of charge once a month. You are also welcome to call or email me as things come up. If you require more frequent written updates or for conversations lasting over 20 minutes, an additional fee will be charged.
I am available to collaborate with your child’s teachers, school and other outside professionals at your request. Release forms must be completed. Monthly collaboration is included, should you require something more frequent, an additional fee will be charged.
What is your rate?
Rates are $90 per 60 minutes. Sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes long, between two and three times per week. I do not recommend working for more than 90 minutes per session as one-to-one tutoring is very intensive.
This session rate includes all prep time for that session, materials used during the session, any formal or informal assessments that I may conduct, monthly updates, communication with schools, review and help with IEP’s, IEP meeting attendance as my schedule allows as well as family/teacher conferences as my schedule allows.
What does billing look like?
Tutoring sessions are invoiced at the end of the month. You will receive an invoice via email. Payment is due upon receipt. You are responsible for any returned payment fees.
What if we are running late?
Your child’s session will still end at their scheduled end time and you will be billed for the full session.
What if I need to cancel?
If you need to cancel a tutoring session, you must call, email or text me by 7:30 pm the day before your session is to take place. If you provide the appropriate notice, no cancellation fee will be incurred.
If a scheduled tutoring session is cancelled after the cancellation deadline, you are subject to paying the full session fee.
If you are a no-show for a tutoring session you will be billed the full session fee.
Discontinuation of Services
I reserve the right to discontinue services for families who miss multiple sessions in a month, who have provided improper notice of cancellation four times, or who are no-show’s twice.
What are your affiliations?
Member Council for Exceptional Children
Member National Association for the Education of Young Children
Licensed Teacher in the state of CO for both Special Education and Early Childhood Education
Member International Dyslexia Association
Member IDA RMB
Resources
2024-2025 Boulder Academic Calendar
Please check back as this section will continue to be updated.
COVID-19
I follow COVID guidelines and recommendations set forth by the CDC as this ensures the best chance of all of us being as safe as possible.
I wipe down surfaces and clean in between students.
I do not require students to wear masks during our sessions. You and your child can decide what makes the most sense for your family. I am happy
to wear a mask during sessions with your child.
If your child has COVID or has come into direct contact with an individual who has COVID, I will be unable to see your child until they have been cleared. Similarly, sessions will be cancelled on my end if I have been directly exposed to, or get, COVID.
Innovative, engaging, targeted instruction for your child
2024 by Sunflower Academics | Created by Jen Cahan | Credits