Meet Our Expert Tutors

Passionate Educators Dedicated to Your Child’s Literacy Success

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Empowering Every Child to Read, Write, and Succeed through Dedicated Support and Evidence-Based Instruction

At The Tutor Collective, our specialist educators are united by a commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction. Each specialist educator follows a structured approach to ensure that every student receives consistent and effective support tailored to their individual needs.

Our specialist educators employ a structured literacy approach grounded in scientific research. This method emphasises explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction in reading, writing, and spelling. By using multisensory techniques, such as visual, auditory, and tactile elements, our educators engage students in a way that enhances learning and retention.

Upon starting with a new student, our specialist educators conduct an initial assessment to identify specific learning gaps and needs. Based on these assessments, they create personalised lesson plans that address each student's unique challenges. This tailored approach ensures that instruction is both relevant and effective, providing the best possible support for every learner.

Lessons are typically held once a week for an hour in a calm and supportive environment. This consistent schedule helps build a routine for students, making the learning process smoother and more predictable. 

Our specialist educators also ensure that lessons are interactive and engaging, incorporating a variety of activities designed to make learning enjoyable while reinforcing key literacy skills. Parental involvement is a crucial component of our tutoring process. 

Our educators take time at the end of each session to discuss the child's progress with their parents and provide guidance on how they can support their child's learning at home. This partnership ensures that students receive comprehensive support both during and outside of their tutoring sessions.

Progress is closely monitored through ongoing assessments and observations. Educators provide immediate feedback and adjust lesson plans as needed to address any emerging challenges. This responsive approach ensures that instruction remains effective and aligned with each student’s evolving needs.

At The Tutor Collective, we are dedicated to empowering every child to become a confident and proficient reader, writer, and speller. Through our structured, evidence-based approach and individualised support, we strive to make a lasting positive impact on each student’s educational journey.

Our Tutors

Miriam Lonsdale

Connect & Book
I am a trained Primary School teacher with a BA Honours in English, experienced in teaching in the UK, Nelson, and Christchurch, and passionate about using Structured Literacy to support children with dyslexia, inspired by my own child's journey.

Cate Parr

Connect & Book
For the last eight years, Cate has worked as a Teacher Aide supporting students with dyslexia, using her training from Literacy Connections to make a positive impact on their learning and confidence.

Jo Wilkinson

Connect & Book
Jo is a qualified secondary school science teacher who shifted her focus to literacy after witnessing her Year 9 and 10 students struggle with literacy skills. She advocates for Structured Literacy, believing that its scientific approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling ensures all students can unlock future learning.

Kelsey Fairbairn

Connect & Book
Kelsey, previously in Learning Support at a Christchurch primary school, specialises in Speech and Language Therapy and uses Structured Literacy for neurodiverse learners. Passionate about the Science of Reading, she completed her LETRS training in 2021 and has tutored students from primary to high school.

Corinne Rooney

Connect & Book
Corinne, trained in Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) through IMSLE, is working towards becoming an Associate Member of the Australian Dyslexia Association. With a background as a research scientist, she shifted to learning support inspired by her son's struggles and home schooling experience.

Lucy Willetts

Connect & Book
Lucy is a qualified Primary School Teacher with over 15 years of experience in Auckland and Christchurch. Passionate about literacy, she has seen the benefits of Structured Literacy firsthand. Lucy is excited to support students' literacy journeys as a member of The Tutor Collective team.

Sally MacGeorge

Connect & Book
Sally is a dedicated educator with twenty years of experience supporting neurodiverse tamariki, transforming negative learning experiences into positive success stories.