Our Story
Helping Children Build Skills, Confidence, and a Love of Learning
When my son was in Grade 3, he was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. He couldn't read or spell and struggled with handwriting and sequencing. Like many parents, we worried not only about his academic success but also about how these challenges were affecting his self-esteem.
His school placed him in a Special Education classroom 1-2 periods per day. There, he received additional support from a caring Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT). During a parent observation day, however, I saw something that changed my perspective. There were six students in the classroom, all with significant learning needs. Over the course of the lesson, each child received only a few minutes of one-on-one instruction. I remember thinking, How can any child make the progress they need with so little individualized support?
After the observation, we asked his teacher if private instruction might help. He explained that the Orton-Gillingham approach was widely recognized as the most effective method for teaching students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. He also shared that qualified Orton-Gillingham educators were difficult to find because of the specialized training required.
Fortunately, he knew one exceptional practitioner and called her personally. She had two hours each week available and we gratefully accepted. That decision changed our son's life. Over the next five years, we watched him develop the literacy skills that once seemed out of reach. As his skills improved, something even more remarkable happened: his confidence returned.
Today, he is thriving in high school, preparing for university, and hopes to become a lawyer. Watching him discover what he was capable of has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
Why I Started JenniBean Language Services
Our family was incredibly fortunate. We found an outstanding Orton-Gillingham tutor at exactly the right time. But I know many families are not so fortunate. Qualified Orton-Gillingham tutors are in high demand, and many parents struggle to find the individualized support their children need. As I watched my son's transformation, I found myself asking a simple question: "What if more families had access to this kind of support?" That question stayed with me.
With more than twenty years of experience in Learning and Development, a Master's degree, and a passion for helping others learn and grow, becoming an Orton-Gillingham practitioner felt like a natural next step. I founded JenniBean Language Services because I wanted to provide other children with the same opportunity that changed my son's life.
Testimonials
"Being unable to keep up with his classmates was impacting my son's confidence and self-esteem. Dylan was a smart kid, but could not read at all and we could not figure out why.
His ADHD/dyslexia was discovered at the end of Grade 3, meaning he had years of reading and writing to catch up on. His Grade 4 SERT teacher recommended an Orton-Gillingham practitioner, as the method was designed for dyslexic persons.
Dylan has been working with Jenni for two years and doing well. He can read and is slowly catching up with his classmates. Even more importantly, has been the increase to his self-confidence. He's like a different child.
My family highly recommends lessons with Jenni. The benefits are much more than academic."
Dylan's Mom
Maggie S.
"My wife and I both work full-time and have another child. Given the logistics involved with in-person lessons, we opted for the online/remote option.
We were initially worried about the effectiveness of learning virtually, but have been happily surprised. Our son is progressing well and I don't believe that sessions would have been any more impactful in-person.
The learning sessions are highly interactive and keep my son engaged from start to finish. Jenni customizes the games based on my son's interests and provides us with regular progress reports.
Remote lessions minimize the amount of school my son misses and best meets the needs of our family. If you are considering this option, know that Jenni does it well."
Ryan D.
Sebastian's Dad
"Jenni is patient and encouraging. I was worried that my daughter would resist private lessions - and she did at first. But after a few sessions, Jamie began looking forward to them. She even shares what she has learnt [with me] following each session."
Jamie's Mom
Karen J.
"Jenni is the best. There aren't a lot of experienced Orton-Gillingham practitioners in Ontario. If she's available, book her!"
Victor T.
JD's Dad
"My daughter loves lessons with Jenni.
Highly reccommend."
Julie's Mom
Rosie L.