Hi, I'm
Melinda Piña
As both a Credentialed Teacher AND a Credentialed Reading Specialist, I provide an expert level of teaching. I am the only instructor your child will work with so you are always guaranteed the highest level of instruction. With over 34 years of teaching experience, I am able to effectively work with a very diverse demographic of learners. My clientele includes students with Specific Learning Disabilities, IEP, 504 plan, ADD, ADHD, cognitive deficits, dyslexia, English Language Learners, auditory processing difficulties, phonological processing difficulties, as well as gifted students. I have 22 years of public school teaching experience in my own classroom. I have over 12 years in the private sector, here at Piña Reading Academy. If you are going to make the investment in your child’s education, you should expect the highest level of expertise and results. That is what you get at Piña Reading Academy. I set the standard for professional tutoring.
Why Our System Works
Piña Reading Academy is owned and operated by Melinda Piña M.Ed., a Reading Specialist and credentialed teacher. With over 34 years of teaching experience and a Master’s Degree in Advanced Teaching Skills, I work with each child to ensure their academic needs are being met. My multiple education credentials allow me to assess students and effectively create a curriculum specifically designed for each student.
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Each tutoring session is designed and taught by me. Students are assessed and grouped according to their academic level. Once the standards for that grade level are met, the child moves to the next level. This exclusive instructional plan supports academic growth and helps parents monitor progress.
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I believe in building a support team. Therefore, as part of the services at Piña Reading Academy, I also work with each student’s family. As a Reading Specialist, I can participate in IEP meetings, parent conferences, SST meetings, etc.
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Each tutoring session covers English Language Arts standards as well as critical thinking Math Skills. Group sessions are kept small. On average, each group has approximately 5 students. For this reason, some of the grade level groups will close registration when capacity is met.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Education
California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
This degree is the multi-subject program for future educators. It is grounded in the humanities and qualitative social sciences and is the foundation for professional training in education.
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
This credential authorizes the holder to teach all subjects in a self-contained class and, as a self-contained classroom teacher, to team teach or to regroup students across classrooms, in grades twelve and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults. In addition, this credential authorizes the holder to teach core classes consisting of two or more subjects to the same group of students in grades five through eight, and to teach any of the core subjects he or she is teaching to a single group of students in the same grade level as the core.
Master's Degree in
Advanced Teaching Skills
University of La Verne
This advanced degree program is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of curriculums, critical thinking, cultural competence, and assessments geared for student support. There is an emphasis on utilizing effective teaching methods and strategies for learner growth and development.
Reading and Language Arts
Specialist Credential
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
This document authorizes the holder to provide the following services at the school site, school district, or county level in grades twelve and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults: (1) provide direct reading intervention to students and adapt instructional routines and strategies to provide direct specialized reading instruction to students with severe reading difficulties, including monitoring and adjusting intervention instruction; (2) coordinate adoption and facilitate implementation of adopted literacy curricula, including providing training to teachers; (3) select and administer reading and literacy assessments, interpret results to determine student growth and identification of struggling students, select interventions, communicate results, and provide guidance and coaching to teachers; (4) design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive literacy plan; (5) support students’ literacy development and inform and train teachers in literacy skills using information and communication technologies; and (6) evaluate literacy practices and report findings, guide teachers and administrators in collaborative efforts to design, implement, and evaluate local, state and/or federal programs, and plan and conduct staff development.