How I Work
Every child who walks through my door gets something different—because every child is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all program here. Instead, I build each student’s sessions around what they actually need, using the tools and methods that are the best fit for how they learn.
Grounded in the Science of Reading
Everything I do is rooted in structured literacy and the science of reading. That means I’m not guessing at what your child needs—I’m using evidence-based methods to systematically teach the skills that build strong readers. Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension—I know how these pieces fit together, and I know how to tell which ones need attention.
My training in Orton-Gillingham methodology gives me a structured, multisensory approach that works especially well for kids who haven’t responded to traditional classroom instruction. But here’s what makes it special: I weave that structure into real books and real activities, so your child never feels like they’re doing drills. They feel like they’re reading a great story.
Built Around Books Your Child Will Love
I have an extensive personal library of children’s books, and I’m always adding to it. I also maintain a carefully curated collection of decodable readers—books specifically designed to match the phonics patterns your child is learning, so they can practice new skills with texts they can actually read successfully. For younger readers, I use beautifully illustrated decodable books that feel like real stories, not worksheets. For older students, I choose high-interest decodable texts with age-appropriate themes that keep them engaged and proud of what they’re reading.
Beyond decodables, every session incorporates real literature. We read together, talk about the story, build vocabulary, and work on comprehension—all while your child is enjoying a book they chose because it sounded interesting to them.
Flexible, Not Rigid
Some kids come to me needing intensive, structured intervention. Others just need a boost in a specific area—maybe their fluency needs work, or they’re struggling with comprehension even though their decoding is solid. I adjust my approach for each student. I’m not locked into a single program or script. I draw from my training, my experience, and a wide toolkit of methods and materials to give your child exactly what they need, session by session.
If I identify signs of dyslexia or a learning difference during our work together, I have the training and the specialized tools to provide targeted intervention. And if your child has already been identified, I can meet them where they are with the structured, systematic support that makes the biggest difference.
Where We Meet
Sessions take place in a dedicated reading space inside my home in Valley West—centrally located in Bozeman, just minutes from downtown, the university, and most neighborhoods.
I’m in the process of creating a beautiful, warm, focused space designed specifically for tutoring. Think cozy reading nook meets learning studio. A place where kids feel comfortable, where there’s nothing competing for their attention, and where the shelves are stocked with books they’ll want to pull down and explore. It’s quiet, it’s inviting, and it’s entirely theirs for the time they’re here.
Having a dedicated space matters. It signals to your child that this time is special. It’s not a desk in the corner of a busy office or a table at the library. It’s a place built just for reading, just for them. And because it’s in my home, it has that comfortable, low-pressure feeling that helps kids relax and do their best work.
Parking is easy, drop-off and pick-up are simple, and I’m always happy to chat for a minute if you have questions or want a quick update on how things are going.
What a Session Looks Like
Here’s what happens when your child walks through the door.
Warm-up & check-in
We start with a few minutes of easy conversation. How was their day? What are they reading at home? This builds rapport and helps your child settle in. For younger readers, we might do a quick phonemic awareness warm-up game.
Read together
This is the heart of every session. We read a book your child is genuinely interested in — together, out loud, at their pace. While we read, I'm listening for patterns: decoding strategies, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary. This isn't a test. It's a conversation about a story they care about.
Targeted skill work
Based on what I hear during reading, we spend focused time on the specific skills your child needs — whether that's phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, or comprehension. This is structured and intentional, but it never feels like a worksheet. We use the book itself, word games, and hands-on activities.
Wrap-up & what's next
We end each session by talking about what we'll read next time (giving your child something to look forward to) and I share a quick update with you about what we worked on and what I'm seeing. No jargon — just clear, honest communication about your child's progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If your child avoids reading, struggles to sound out words, reads very slowly for their age, or has trouble understanding what they've read — those are all signs that some extra support could make a real difference. You don't need a diagnosis or an assessment to reach out. Sometimes a parent just has a gut feeling that something isn't clicking — that's enough. Text me or send me a quick note and we can talk about it.
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I work with elementary-aged children, roughly kindergarten through 5th grade. The Ready to Read summer program is specifically designed for kids entering kindergarten in the fall. If your child is outside this range, reach out anyway — I’m happy to chat about how I can be a good fit.
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Not at all. We work with all kinds of readers — kids with dyslexia, kids who are a little behind, kids who just haven't found a book they love yet, and kids whose parents want to give them a head start. If your child has a formal diagnosis, that's helpful information, but it's not a requirement.
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Most tutors help kids with homework. I help build foundational reading skills using evidence-based methods grounded in the science of reading. Every session is anchored in real books your child enjoys, and the skill work is woven naturally into the reading — not tacked on as separate drills. It feels like a book club, not a tutoring center.
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Life happens — sick days, family trips, de ntist appointments. We don't want your child to miss out, so we've built flexibility into every series.
Group book club series: If your child misses a session, they can make it up by joining one of our other scheduled session times that same week. Just let us know in advance so we can save a spot. Your child might jump into a different group reading a different book, but the reading experience and skill work are the same — and most kids love getting to meet new reading buddies for a week.
Ready to Read summer program: Every Ready to Read series includes a built-in makeup week at the end of the program. Because this program follows a sequenced curriculum with kindergarten right around the corner, we want to make sure every child gets the full experience — even if they miss a day along the way. If no makeups are needed, we use that week for a graduation celebration: a special read-aloud, certificates, and an invitation for parents to join.
1:1 Sessions: We understand that plans change. If you need to cancel a 1:1 session, just let me know at least 24 hours in advance and I’ll do my best to reschedule at another time that works for your family within the same series week. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before a scheduled session are eligible for rescheduling, however the session and payment are forfeited. This policy helps us hold consistent, reliable time for every child on our schedule.
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It's easy — just reach out however is most comfortable for you. You can text me at (406) 579-0449, email me at candace@thediscoveryreadingclub.com, or fill out the quick interest form on this page. Tell me a little about your child and what you're noticing, and I'll get back to you within 24 hours. From there, we'll figure out the best fit and get your child into a session. No lengthy intake process — just a conversation and a first session.
You can see more information about the “Getting Started” process on this page.
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The reading assessment is $100. It includes a 90-minute one-on-one session, a written report with my detailed evaluation, and a follow-up call to go over the results and next steps together.
More information about the reading assessment can be found here.
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Your child and I will spend 90 minutes together in a relaxed, no-pressure setting. We take breaks as needed so they stay comfortable. I assess their current reading skills across multiple areas to get a full picture of their strengths and where they need support.
Before I can help your child grow as a reader, I need to understand exactly where they are right now. That’s why every new student starts with a thorough, informal reading assessment. It’s not a test—there’s no pass or fail. It’s a conversation between me and your child, with some reading and activities mixed in, that gives me a clear picture of their strengths and the specific areas where they need support.
What I’m Looking At
During the assessment, I’m evaluating several key areas of your child’s reading:
Phonemic awareness — Can your child hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in words? This is one of the strongest predictors of reading success, and it’s often the missing piece for struggling readers. I use a research-based screening tool called the PAST (Phonological Awareness Screening Test) to get a clear, detailed picture of where your child stands.
Phonics and decoding — Does your child understand the relationship between letters and sounds? Can they sound out unfamiliar words? I look at their knowledge of phonics patterns—from basic letter sounds through advanced patterns like vowel teams and multisyllabic words.
Fluency — Can your child read smoothly, at an appropriate pace, with expression? Fluency is the bridge between decoding and comprehension—if a child is spending all their energy sounding out words, there’s nothing left for understanding the story.
Comprehension — Does your child understand what they’re reading? Can they retell, summarize, make inferences, and connect ideas? Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading, and I assess it through conversation, not multiple choice.
Spelling and writing patterns — How a child spells tells me a lot about what they understand about how words work. I look at their spelling to identify their developmental stage and the specific phonics patterns they’ve internalized versus the ones they’re still working on.
What Happens After
After the assessment, I’ll share what I found with you—in plain language, not jargon. I’ll tell you what your child is doing well, where they need support, and what my plan is to help them get there. From that point, every session is tailored to your child’s specific needs and built on what the assessment revealed.
As we work together, I continually reassess informally—adjusting and adapting as your child grows. You’ll always know what we’re working on and why.
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Missed a session?
Life happens — sick days, family trips, dentist appointments. I don't want your child to miss out, so I’ve built flexibility into every series.
Group book club series: If your child misses a session, they can make it up by joining one of the other scheduled session times that week or the next. Just let me know in advance so I can save a spot. Your child might jump into a different group reading a different book, but the reading experience and skill work are the same, and most kids love getting to meet new reading buddies for a week.
Ready to Read summer program: I don't offer makeup sessions for Ready to Read. The small group dynamic and hands-on nature of each class make it difficult to replicate outside of our scheduled time. That said, missing a session is totally okay — your child will pick right back up where the group is the next time they come in. After every class, I send home a summary of what we worked on along with supplementary activities so you can reinforce skills at home if you'd like.
1:1 Sessions: We understand that plans change. If you need to cancel a 1:1 session, just let me know at least 24 hours in advance and I’ll do my best to reschedule at another time that works for your family within the same series week. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before a scheduled session are eligible for rescheduling, however the session and payment are forfeited. This policy helps us hold consistent, reliable time for every child on our schedule.
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I’m a certified reading specialist with degrees in both Elementary Education and Secondary English. I’ve spent years in the classroom and as a curriculum designer. I’m currently completing my IMSE Orton-Gillingham Interventionist Certification, which is one of the most rigorous structured literacy training programs available. I also study the latest research from leading experts in reading science and dyslexia. I take professional development seriously because your child deserves a teacher who never stops learning.
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Before we dive into regular sessions, I do a thorough, informal reading assessment. This isn’t a test—it’s a relaxed conversation with some reading and activities mixed in that helps me understand exactly where your child is and what they need. I look at phonemic awareness, phonics knowledge, fluency, comprehension, and spelling patterns. After the assessment, I’ll share my findings with you in plain language and walk you through my plan for your child.
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Most tutors help with homework. I’m doing something different. I’m a reading specialist who builds every session from scratch based on your child’s assessed needs. I use evidence-based methods grounded in the science of reading, I choose books and materials specifically for your child, and I make it all feel like a book club—not a tutoring session. I’m also actively pursuing advanced certification in structured literacy, so I’m bringing the most current research and methods to every session.
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Not at all. You can start with a single session to see how it goes — $85 for one-on-one or $70 for a group session. If your child loves it, we can set up a regular schedule and you'll save by enrolling in a series. But there's no contract and no minimum commitment.
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You can reach me anytime via the contact page or email. I always aim to respond quickly - usually within one business day.
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For most children, we recommend once or twice per week. Consistency matters more than frequency — a regular weekly session builds momentum and trust. During your free intro call, we'll talk about what makes sense for your child.
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Absolutely, if you'd like me to. I’m happy to coordinate with your child's teacher or reading specialist to make sure we're all working toward the same goals. I can also help you understand school assessments and what they mean.
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That's actually the most common thing we hear — and it's exactly why we exist. Kids who "don't like reading" usually haven't found the right book yet, or they've had experiences that made reading feel stressful. We specialize in changing that story. Give us a few sessions. You'll be surprised.
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Absolutely! It’s published here.
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I'll tell you. Not every child needs formal tutoring, and I'll always be upfront about that. If I don't think it's the right step, your report will include suggestions for what you can do at home instead.
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If you'd rather hop on a call, I'm happy to do that — it's free, casual, and there's no set time limit. But a call isn't required. A lot of families prefer to text or email first, and that works just as well. Whatever's easiest for you.
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If your child has recent assessment results from their school or another reading specialist, you're welcome to send those to me. I'll review them and we can skip straight to the recommendation call to discuss placement.
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No. The assessment is a standalone service that covers the session time, evaluation, written report, and follow-up call. It is not applied toward tutoring fees.
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Yes. I’m trained in structured literacy and Orton-Gillingham methodology, which is considered the gold standard for supporting students with dyslexia. I use multisensory, systematic instruction tailored to each child’s needs. Your child does not need a formal diagnosis for us to work together—if you’re noticing signs that reading is harder than it should be, let’s talk. I can also help point you toward evaluation resources if a diagnosis would be helpful.
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Sessions are held in a dedicated reading space in my home in Valley West—centrally located in Bozeman. I’m creating a warm, focused, inviting space designed specifically for tutoring, with shelves full of books and everything your child needs to feel comfortable and ready to learn. Parking is easy, and drop-off and pick-up are simple.
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Nope. While I do offer a thorough reading assessment ($100) that gives a detailed picture of your child's reading profile, it's not required to get started. Many families prefer to jump right into sessions and let me get to know their child through our work together. I'm informally assessing during every session anyway — so either way, I'll quickly understand what your child needs. If your child has recent results from their school or another specialist, you're always welcome to send those my way.
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I call them Reading Adventures — they're themed, drop-in group sessions for 3–5 kids grouped by grade level. Each week has a different theme, so kids can join any time without feeling behind. One week we might explore Roald Dahl poetry, the next week it's weird animal facts or a mystery story. It's a real reading experience with skill-building woven in — and most kids just think they're having fun.
Have a Different Question?
Send me a note and I’ll get in touch ASAP.