Customized lessons to meet your child's needs and learning style
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Proven results with a systematic, multisensory approach
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Hands-on and exciting learning atmosphere
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Ongoing assessment and progress monitoring
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One-hour sessions
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Cooperation and communication between home, school, and tutoring
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Monica DiPilato, Orton-Gillingham Reading Specialist
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I graduated with a BS in Elementary Education from Miami University in Ohio. After graduating, I taught first and second graders in a multi-age school in Greensboro, NC. During this time, I saw the need for better reading instruction and remediation. In 1999, I went to the Key Learning Center in Asheville, NC to complete the Orton-Gillingham Level I course. I spent the following year working with a master tutor, and I have been tutoring children with reading challenges and dyslexia ever since.
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I moved to Raleigh in 2001, where I taught first grade in Raleigh and Durham. I had such a passion and empathy for children who were struggling with reading, that I became the reading specialist at Duke School in 2003. I also married my husband that year, and we now have a daughter and a son. We love to hike, bike, camp, travel, read, and spend time with our family and friends.
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Throughout the years I have attended multiple workshops at the Key Learning Center, in Asheville, as well as the Hill Center Methodology and the Wilson Reading System Overview. In my tutoring practice, I use the Orton-Gillingham methodology as the basis of what I do. In addition, I utilize other techniques, materials, and methods to match the needs of each child.
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In 2021 attended the Associate-level course again and took the Certified-level course through the Key Learning Center, in Asheville. I also completed the year-long practicum for the Associate level in order to get my certification from the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA). I am also a Certified Language Practitioner (CALP) through the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA). I regularly attend many workshops through ALTA, OGA, and the Key Learning Center to further my learning and training. I love working with the Orton-Gillingham fellows, and other practitioners around the country to further my education. ​
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I love collaborating with parents as they work to figure out the best strategies and tools to help their child reach his/her potential. I can also relate first-hand to the challenges of raising children with learning disabilities. I look forward to supporting you and your child.
About Me
What is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
INDIVIDUALIZED & PERSONAL
Meeting the needs of learners, no two of whom are alike.
Recognizing the different needs of each learner.
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MULTISENSORY
Using all learning pathways ~ visual, auditory, and kinesthetic
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DIAGNOSTIC & PRESCRIPTIVE
Monitoring students' responses in order to identify each students' needs.
Developing prescriptive lessons based on those needs.
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DIRECT INSTRUCTION
Working to insure that students understand what, why, and how material is to be learned.
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SYSTEMATIC PHONICS
Stressing the sound/symbol relationships inherent in the alphabetic system of reading development and writing.
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SYSTEMATIC & STRUCTURED
Presenting information in an ordered way that indicates the relationship between the current material and past material taught.
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SEQUENTIAL, INCREMENTAL, & CUMULATIVE
Moving from the simple, well-learned material to that which is more complex in a logical manner.
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Adapted from: The Gillingham Manual, Gillingham, and Bessie W. Stillman, EPS, Inc. 1997 and The Key School website: carolinaday.org/academics/key-school/orton-gillingham
Services
Location
My home office:
I am located near the intersection of Creedmoor Road and Lynn Road.
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In the student's home
Rates
My home office:
$95/hour (K-4th grade)
​$115/ hour (5th-12th grade)
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*Option for me to travel to you-call for rates
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Initial assessment:
$350, one-time fee
This covers the assessment session, the time needed to analyze assessments and develop a tutoring plan, a written summary, and a parent meeting.
Cancellations
Advanced notice cancellations: Please let me know as far in advance as possible so we can reschedule.
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Last-minute cancellations: Cancellations with less than 24-hours notice will be charged for the full session.
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Life happens!
All students will have one "free" last-minute cancellation.
Getting Started
Please email or call/text so we can set up an initial meeting.
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First, I will talk with parents to discuss your child's background, services received, assessments, or any other relevant information.
Next, I will assess your child over one or two sessions.
Then we will be ready to make a plan and begin tutoring.
Parent Comments
"Thank you for giving Abby the 'gift' of reading. You teach with such warmth and care, and you make every child feel successful."
~ Parent of a second grader