“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
– Maya Angelou
My name is Melissa Petersen
I am a certified teacher in Washington State and a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS), certified through the International Dyslexia Association. With ten years of experience in dyslexia intervention, I specialize in helping students who struggle with reading, spelling, and writing. My training has equipped me to strengthen literacy skills for learners at all levels—using Structured Literacy and the Orton-Gillingham approach.
Research shows that reading and writing do not develop naturally the way spoken language does. Literacy must be taught explicitly and practiced to mastery. While some students seem to acquire these skills with ease, many require carefully sequenced, systematic instruction to make meaningful progress.
When students build strong foundational literacy skills, reading becomes more fluent, spelling more accurate, and writing more organized. This foundation frees up cognitive energy so students can focus on higher-level thinking—such as comprehension, inferencing, and expressing their ideas with confidence.
My instruction is explicit, structured, and responsive to each learner. Lessons follow a clear “I Do, We Do, You Do” framework and are guided by diagnostic assessment, frequent progress monitoring, and targeted practice. I also take a coaching approach, helping students understand how they learn so they can become more confident and independent.
Let’s explore whether my approach would be a good fit for your child’s learning needs.
Melissa Petersen, M.Ed.; C-SLDS
