Hello! My name is Ms. Courtney, and I bring nearly two decades of classroom and tutoring experience to my work with students and families. I hold a B.A. in Elementary Education from Edgewood College, a M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a Reading Teacher and Reading Specialist License from the University of Wisconsin–Stout.

Over the past 19 years, I’ve taught first through fourth grade, including experience in a multi-age classroom setting. For the past five years, I’ve also worked as a one-on-one and small group tutor in the Wilmette and Deerfield areas, focusing on early literacy, math support, and phonics skills development. I specialize in grades K–5 and bring knowledge and resources to each session, tailoring my approach to meet each child’s unique needs.

I am certified in Heggerty and have extensive training in the Science of Reading. I have taught and been trained in Sitton Spelling, UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute), Math In Focus, and Bridges Math. My approach is hands-on and minds-on, designed to meet a variety of learning profiles through technology integration, visual aids, flexible grouping, and a fun, engaging style of instruction.

When working with students with unique learning needs, I take time to understand each child socially, emotionally, and academically. I collaborate closely with families and use multiple modalities to make learning accessible and meaningful. I believe strongly in differentiating instruction, modifying the content, process, and assessment to ensure students are appropriately challenged and supported.

A few highlights from my career include helping struggling readers in grades 1–3 gain an average of 5+ reading levels in a single year and using targeted interventions to move students from below average to above average in both math and reading on AIMS Web Testing.

Outside of tutoring, I enjoy reading, practicing yoga, running, baking, and playing golf. I also love spending time with my family, including my identical twin boys and my youngest son. A fun fact: my sister lives in France, and I’ve co-written a short text on persuasive writing!

A guiding quote for me is: "Fair isn’t everyone getting the same thing. Fair is everyone getting what they need in order to be successful.” – Rick Riordan

Parents often tell me how much they appreciate my patient, positive, and thoughtful approach to helping their children feel seen, heard, and capable. I look forward to bringing that same energy to your child’s learning journey and helping them grow into a confident, enthusiastic learner.