Today a reader, Tomorrow a leader.~ Margaret Fuller

Laura Matter has over 20 years experience working as an educator in the Midwest, Monterey, CA Peninsula, and Limpopo, South Africa working with readers of all ages. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the table including research based methods, time tested strategies, and a keen sense of how to best teach each child based on their needs, as well as their personality. She holds a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with the Cross-cultural, Language, and Academic Development certificate endorsement (CLAD), Clear Specialist Instruction Credential (Reading), Bachelor of Arts from University of Iowa in Education, and a Master of Arts from San Jose State in Education. She strongly believes in the Science of Reading and promotes reading instruction grounded in science and research.

Laura's early career brought her to the small agricultural town of King City, California to teach elementary school for three years. As a beginning teacher in a new environment she was able to take advantage of opportunities to become a better educator for English Language Learners and start learning Spanish. After teaching kindergarten and third grade she relocated to Salinas, California to teach first grade in Soledad, then Salinas. It was here where she confirmed her desire to seek out a Reading Specialist credential at San Jose State University. Over the next several years while teaching she obtained a Master's Degree in Education and her Reading Specialist Credential. Moving to 4th grade had allowed her to explore teaching intermediate readers complex skills such as multi syllabic word decoding and comprehension strategies. A favorite part of 4th grade was the focus on writing and helping students find their own voice in their work.

Another change came about when she was hired to be the first Reading Specialist at the Center for Reading Diagnosis and Instruction at California State University Monterey Bay. As the Reading Specialist from 2007-2015 she tailored her skills as an educator to help struggling readers, instruct university students in reading methods, and provide professional development for local school districts.

Her decision to resign and travel led her to South Africa where she volunteered in conjunction with a local NGO to begin an after school reading program for rural children. This included training the staff and leading the program as it began its inaugural year. She also helped the High School Leadership group with literacy skills by assisting learners choose appropriate books, improve their confidence, and encourage them to "Keep on Reading!"

She is so happy to be able to be back in her hometown of Batavia, IL to help the readers in the Tri Cities. In her time away from teaching, she spends time with her horse, Fintan, and her 8 year old Lil' Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
1.630.326.9286             
Call for a complimentary consultation today!