Discover Confidence Through Decoding

Empowering Literacy for All

At The English Literacy Investigator (ELI), I utilize the Orton-Gillingham (OG) method to support struggling readers in mastering reading, spelling, and writing skills.

ELI & the OG Approach

Think of reading as cracking a case. First, we break the code—the sound-to-letter evidence—so every new word fits the pattern. Leave out that piece and the clues don’t add up. OG is the detective’s method: systematic, step-by-step. In each lesson, your child sees, hears, says, writes, and traces every sound and its matching letters, collecting “evidence” with eyes, ears, voice, and hands until words lock into long-term memory.

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Because OG is systematic, step‑by‑step, and tailored to the pace of each learner, it helps:

• Struggling readers of all ages who guess or memorize words (common in “whole‑word” or "balanced literacy" classrooms).

• Students with dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, or autism of all ages who need many more practice rounds to make words stick.

• Confident readers of all ages who simply want to read faster, spell better, and tackle tougher books.

Results speak for themselves: schools that switched to OG‑style teaching saw early‑grade reading scores leap ahead of national norms, with the biggest gains for students who started out furthest behind. The bottom line for families? Your child leaves every session with stronger decoding skills, growing confidence, and a lifelong key to fluent, enjoyable reading—no formal diagnosis required.

1:1 Literacy Services Offered

Utilizing the Orton-Gillingham method for effective reading, spelling, and writing instruction in your home, local library, or virtually.

Using VAKT, students look at the pattern, say and hear the sounds, and form them with their hands—making abstract skills concrete. Because learning is encoded in multiple pathways, attention improves, retention is stronger, and predictable repetition builds confidence and automaticity and writing skills effectively.

Dyslexia and Learning Difference Support Services

Because every student is unique, I provide diagnostic, individualized lessons that are systematic, sequential, and cumulative—each session builds on the last to deliver the right support at the right time.

OG teaches how English works step by step. We begin with phonemic awareness (hearing and working with sounds), then teach phonics—how sounds connect to letters and letter teams so students can blend and read (e.g., sh says /sh/, oa says /ō/). Students learn the six syllable types and how to break longer words. Alongside this, I teach spelling and orthographic patterns—the rules for how we spell those sounds in different positions (e.g., use ck after a short vowel, k elsewhere; drop the silent e before adding -ing; double the ending f, l, or s in one syllable words with a short vowel, like "floss" or "bell"). I also build morphology (roots, prefixes, suffixes) to strengthen vocabulary and spelling.

Structured Literacy

Multisensory Learning

About the Investigator

Rebekah's passion for helping others has led her to obtain the Orton‑Gillingham certification as a literacy interventionist, teaching English to children who would greatly benefit from or may require one-on-one remedial instruction. Her academic training includes a B.A. in English from the University of California, Davis and an M.A. in Sociology from Goldsmiths, University of London. This background has grounded her in evidence‑based pedagogy, cognitive science, sociocultural factors, and instructional design for diverse neuroprofiles.

Rebekah has previously worked as a certified behavioral therapist for children on the autism spectrum on Travis Air Force Base, as well as students in her community with dyslexia, helping them to become verbal and fluent in reading. She has also applied the OG method with pre-kindergarten children to advance their comprehension and vocabulary.

In 2023, Rebekah co-founded the Kiwanis Club of Vacaville and served as its inaugural president, leading youth-focused service projects. She also directed Vacaville's Kiwanis Summer Tutoring Program (KSTP), training high school volunteers to provide free tutoring to K–8 students in Solano County libraries.

Rebekah resides in Sacramento, California and enjoys spending time with her family, beloved animals, a cup of tea and a jigsaw puzzle.

She understands my son as I do. She has made a profound difference in my son's life, and I truly don't think he'd be able to pass school without her. Rebekah has saved his academic life...and is the sole reason he has faith in education again.

Natalie B., Vacaville, CA

My daughter could identify the sound-symbol relationships in the alphabet and recognized basic CVC structures before turning three. When we started her in school, she was ahead of all her peers.

Rachael L., Vacaville, CA

★★★★★

★★★★★

Have questions about Orton-Gillingham or your child’s reading?

Let's get to know your learner! Use the form to get in touch with ELI.

Quick Reach

getELIinfo@gmail.com