“Creating brighter futures by taking the guesswork out of reading and spelling." ™
About Anjel Totty
As a life-long resident of Santa Rosa, I originally studied Nursing at Santa Rosa Junior College. I later went on to study Psychology through Ashford University. After learning that my son was dyslexic, I sought out proven methods for teaching dyslexic learners.
When my son began to struggle in school, I sought the help of summer school and Sylvan Learning Center. I was losing precious time and money while watching my son's self-esteem plummet and his frustration turn to anger. I convinced the school to test my son, only to be told he did not qualify for school services. When my son was faced with retention in third grade, I panicked. My son was devastated by the idea of retention. That's when I realized that my child was about to "fall through the cracks" and thus my research began.
I began tutoring my son from home using the Barton Reading and Spelling System (an Orton-Gillingham method of teaching). To my surprise, my son made more gains over one summer, than he had made in the last three years! Not only was my son not retained, his grades and self-esteem now reflect all his hard work; and his once resistant school principal now credits my son's success to the Barton tutoring he has been receiving!
This experience ignited a passion for teaching and helping others. How many other bright children were not realizing their full potential simply because they learned differently?
I returned to school where I completed extensive training in multisensory structured language teaching, specifically focused on remediating problems in reading, spelling and written language. This enabled me to further my experiences working with students with dyslexia and other mild learning differences.
I later went on to complete a graduate-level course through the University of San Diego where I earned my qualifications as a Certified Dyslexia Testing Specialist.
Being both the mother of a child with dyslexia and an educator, I have come to know Educational Law and make great efforts to stay up-to-date on the latest dyslexia research. I strongly believe that reading is the gateway to all other learning and I want to help end the needless suffering which often accompanies learning differences.
I've heard the intimate stories of the affects dyslexia can have on adults who have struggled their way through school undiagnosed. I have personally witnessed the pain, frustration, anxiety, and anger that a struggling student experiences while they are navigating their way through school. I know the pain a mother's heart feels when her child's self-esteem is suffering.
My private practice was founded in 2005 as a result of my desire to help other struggling students improve their academic achievement and self-esteem. My practice is passion-based and proudly celebrates the diversity of the strengths and needs that each student possesses.
I'm passionate about early intervention. By educating parents, schools, and the community, I aim to catch students before they fall through the cracks. Through proper diagnosis, research-based remediation and community education, everyone succeeds!
My family's story is a successful one and I welcome the opportunity to help other families find success on their journey. If your child is struggling and/or being threatened with retention at school, please contact me. Together we can create an educational plan to help your child succeed.
Credentials and Training
- Certified Dyslexia Testing Specialist, University of San Diego
- Certified Barton Reading and Spelling Tutor, Bright Solutions for Dyslexia
- Founder, Anjel Totty: Dyslexia Testing and Remediation Services
- Certified Remediator, Dyslexia Center in Napa
- Trained in Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing (LiPS)
- Trained in Teaching Writing: Structure & Style, Institute for Excellence in Writing
- Trained in Handwriting Without Tears (HWT)
Affiliations
- Member of International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
- Member of Northern Calif. Branch of International Dyslexia Association (NCBIDA)
- Member of Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners & Educators (AOGPE)
- Parents Helping Parents
For a list of dyslexia warning signs, please click here
Call Today To Learn More!
707-843-1895
Anjel Totty, Certified Dyslexia Testing and Remediation Specialist, Serving Santa Rosa, CA and Surrounding Areas.
