About Us
Fall 2022
Instruction tailored to each student.
Instruction tailored to each student.
Writing in many genres prepares students for classroom instruction. This fourth grader is fast at work writing a rough draft. Following the session, he'll edit, revise and complete a final draft to bring to the next session.
Instruction tailored to each student.
Instruction tailored to each student.
Instruction tailored to each student.
Using her personal ABC book, this student is matching letters she knows. Practicing "reading" her ABC book on a daily basis leads to recognizing and fluently reading all letters of the alphabet. Next steps include recognizing digraphs, and later, blends within words.
Practicing strategies
Instruction tailored to each student.
Practicing strategies
Students learn and practice strategies needed to excel at their level.
Here a student is learning to slowly say the sounds of a CVC word as she slowly pushes colored disks into corresponding sound boxes.
About Me
My Background
I have over 30 years experience teaching in the primary grades and a Master's Degree in Teaching from the University of San Francisco. I currently hold Elementary Education and CLAD credentials in the State of California. I am also a certified Reading Recovery teacher. See below, right.
My Expertise
I specialize in working with individual early learners who need extra support.
All lessons are conducted in my home office in San Jose or online (using Zoom);
Nancy is fully vaccinated
(including boosters) for
Coronavirus. May 2022.
Masks are worn and required.
Personalized Lessons
When working with a student individually, I develop a plan following an initial assessment. I'll pinpoint what the student knows and what he or she finds difficult about reading and writing.
My instruction builds on his or her strengths and is consistently adapted to make it easier for the child to learn.
Flexible scheduling, pricing
In-person lessons are typically once or twice a week, including Saturdays.
Many scaffolds are in place so that students can take ownership of their learning.
Many scaffolds are in place so that students can take ownership of their learning.
All materials are provided by instructor. Take-home followup activities are also provided.
Many scaffolds are in place so that students can take ownership of their learning.
Many scaffolds are in place so that students can take ownership of their learning.
Many scaffolds are in place so that students can take ownership of their learning.
Individual students can make significant progress in a very short time!
Students enjoy the learning process. No two lessons are alike!
Many scaffolds are in place so that students can take ownership of their learning.
Students enjoy the learning process. No two lessons are alike!
Each lesson is unique and based on immediate prior learning, so that students are working at a level and pace that inspires confidence and signals growth.
Individual Students
I work with Pre-kindergarten - sixth graders
Ongoing assessments and reports provided
Please contact me to schedule an assessment for your child.
- The assessment generally takes one to one-and-a-half hours.
- Assessment fee ($120) is waived if student begins lesson series.
One teacher. One program.
Nancy Bilbao personally plans and teaches every lesson. Parents are welcome to sit in on the lessons and follow through by reading with their child at home, after receiving explicit suggestions from Nancy.
What growth can I expect from individual lessons?
Every child is unique and learns at a different pace. You can expect, however, that your child will make from one-half to one year's progress within a three to five month period.
Please contact Mrs. B. by text or email for an introductory conversation. After an initial assessment, recommendations will be made. In many cases, an initial six-week plan (in which the student meets with Mrs. B once or twice a week), is recommended, followed by further assessment and recommendations about continuing further instruction, only as needed.
Reading Recovery: Snapshot
Reading Recovery Information for Parents
U. S. Department of Education Report on Reading Recovery
Every child can learn to read
Students are successful because of the method I use to slowly build on what they know. This results in renewed confidence on the part of the students.