Hello
My name is Rebecca Ballantine, and I've started Spark Literacy to provide access to quality individualized tutoring to more students & support for parents who are their advocates. I am a lifetime educator with 30 years of experience as a teacher, tutor, and reading specialist. Research tells us that reading skills improve when instruction is delivered with evidence-based programs and delivered with high frequency, 3-5 times a week. Tutors, and caregivers, can be trained to deliver programs aligned to the science of reading.
My Story
I have built my career by helping children learn to read and supporting their families. I am also the proud mother of 4 NYC public school students!
For 30 years, I have worked in private and public schools in New York City -- as a teacher, curriculum developer, reading specialist, and coach. I have designed a reading lab site for a school, published in Educational Leadership, and supported schools to develop their strategic reading plans. Currently, I am the Director of Literacy Interventions and Access in the Special Education Department for NYC Public Schools. I have master's degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University and Bank Street College, and hold certifications as a Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher from the International Dyslexia Association, a reading specialist from birth to grade six, a special educator, and an English Language Arts Teacher, grades 5-12.
I have helped countless struggling readers become successful and confident. I believe that child and family-centered tutoring supports should be available for more children. And I'm eager to transform the way tutoring services work.
Contact
Please email or call if you have any questions or would like to consider what Spark Literacy can do to support you and your child.