So, one thing led to another! I moved out of London to Buckinghamshire and a new job but felt the need to do something useful. I saw a poster in a library window and rang and offered my services as a volunteer literacy tutor.

Several years later, I became a group tutor, and I really enjoyed the group dynamics we created together. Working with adult learners is an enjoyable and equal partnership. The learners inspired me to gain a postgraduate qualification in teaching students with dyslexia and other specific learning differences (Level 7 Diploma). I am now an experienced adult literacy tutor, having taught programmes up to Level 2 Functional Skills, run small groups for adults with dyslexia, taught Open Learning Sessions, Revision Skills, Get that Job courses, Dyslexia Awareness sessions and, during Covid lockdown, online courses for parents working with dyslexic learners at home. I adapted a Reading Recovery approach for a small group setting with adults, love creating resources and I believe in a mixed approach to teaching reading and spelling that combines morphology, orthography, semantics and syntax together with a meaningful context for each learner.

I have also taught Study Skills and Strategies to adults studying at university level for more than 20 years. I am confident in supporting students with one of the specific learning differences (dyslexia, dyspraxia etc.) and/or with additional support needs – from ADHD, autism, anxiety, or specific language difficulties, for example. I have tutored through a BSL interpreter and with a working guide dog sitting by my feet.

My individual students teach me much about their own particular learning journeys (both strengths and difficulties) but I also attend regular training to keep up to date with academic research. With a background in biological and biomedical sciences I am fascinated with the advances made in neuroscience. I am a full member of the Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (Patoss) and hold its Teaching Practising Certificate (which guarantees my commitment to professional standards and regular participation in Continuing Professional Development). I also maintain Affiliate Membership of ADSHE (from whom I received an award).

At Dyslexia Herts, I work with students on the Level 7 course who are learning to teach adult learners