Feedback From Happy Students and Families

"The major thing I've noticed is that Mary's concentration and stamina have dramatically improved since starting to work with you.  She is doing better at reading words and reliably getting some letters (and letter combos) that have been tough for her correct the first time. 

She's also more patient with us on the non-tutoring nights, when we sit with her as she does her homework. That's a big deal because there had been a lot of tears basically whenever homework time came, and now she seems both more confident in herself and willing to listen to us when we remind her about things she's gone over with you.  

She continues to say that she likes the role you give her, meaning that she gets to say whether to keep going with a particular activity or to move to a new one. I think she enjoys having a degree of control, and it helps that you both praise her and hold her accountable when she's not doing X as you've instructed."

"I just wanted to share with you that Sam [who worked with Kids Up Reading Coaches 2 years ago] is doing extremely well with his reading at school. Today we got his reading scores, and he is in the 90th percentile. I am very grateful for all the work that you did with him, your patience above all and really the support to build a strong foundation to propel him forward!

I am also really happy with all the great work Sasha is doing with Toby. I am convinced that starting early on to build this important foundation is key for kids and I am so happy we have started working with your team supporting Toby."

"I am so impressed by the support my son is getting from Daniela and the team at Kids Super Reading Coaches. I have a rising 11th grade boy with reading and writing disabilities and was concerned about doing reading remediation so late in his education. I emailed Daniela on a Friday and she worked with me through the weekend to get my son tested and connected with one of her coaches. By Monday we had a tutor 4 days a week. Our coach Rachel has been amazing. The first week, I got a detailed email from her every day about what they worked on so that I could support my son at home. I was so impressed that I forwarded one to my mother who got very emotional and said, "my goodness he is in good hands." I highly recommend Daniela and her team. The process and support has been seamless and beyond my expectations. "

"We knew Paul had reading issues early in first grade.  In first and second grade he had tutoring once a week after school during the academic year, but he wasn’t making much progress.  I had talked to Daniela at Kids Up Reading Coaches when he was in first grade, but went with tutors from my son's school because they charged less. I called Daniela at the beginning of this year (3rd grade) and my son has been working with her on Zoom four times a week after school.  In September Daniela told me “Oh, we’ll have him reading chapter books by December” and I couldn’t believe it.  But here we are in December, and he is indeed reading chapter books.  The intensive tutoring has been entirely worth it, and so confidence building for Paul."  

"Now that our son is working with Daniela, we have decided to keep him at the neighborhood public school instead of a school for kids with learning difficulties. And I know that if he's not caught up by the beginning of the summer, he can continue the tutoring during the summer for an hour before or after his regular camps, instead of being in a half-day or full-day summer program specifically geared toward reading, like at Lab [the Lab School in Washington, DC]."

"I was 1000% concerned about Charlie learning over Zoom (based on his spending most of the pandemic Zoom classes underneath our kitchen table instead of participating in online class), but actually it’s been awesome and time saving.  Daniela jumps right in, and she keeps things moving. She doesn’t lose momentum with “brain breaks” that would make my ADHD child lose focus.  I’m definitely a happy customer, and I’m so happy for my son that he is identifying with being a reader!"

"I talked with Thomas right afterwards and he was really happy with how the session went. He even said he had fun!!"

"Daniela Feldhausen is amazing!! We started with her in April, worked hard all summer and now [in November] my 8 year old is reading at a second grade level!! She was still at kindergarten level when we started. Massive improvements thanks to her!!   

"Now that he's in person at school...his teacher has noticed that overall his reading fluency has improved drastically." 

"She is tutoring my 5th grade son 3x/week and even though we've only been doing it a few weeks, he's made a ton of progress. We were able to work the schedule so that he sees her virtually during an elective period." And, after almost 2 months of coaching: "I was actually out getting a book he asked me to get-this is the first time he's asked for a book! They're reading it in class and he wanted a copy at home. He also said he finished a book at school this week without using the audio version.  Out of the blue this week he also showed me what you were working on last Friday-him writing a story you dictated.  He seemed to be very proud of that.  These are definitely big improvements for him...  He's definitely improving and becoming more confident in reading... And I love the detailed reports of things he's working on." 

"My rising 9th grader struggled to spell at an elementary school level.  My neighbor recommended Daniela and it has been life changing for him.  He was recently able to complete a high school level geography SOL spelling on his own which he would not have been able to do before working with Daniela.  His stress and anxiety levels have decreased significantly.  Both of us are so much more confident about his transition to his very competitive high school.  I'm sure that as he works with Daniela his skill levels and confidence will continue to grow with leaps and bounds."  

"After Daniela started working with and having great success with our 4th grader, we suspected our 6th grader might need some support as well - as evidenced by his challenges in spelling (though no reading challenges).  Daniela assessed for and recognized the gaps in our 6th grader's phonics skills, which he was cleverly working around but which would most certainly have caught up to him in 7th/8th grade and beyond.  She engages our 6th grader in his own success by leveraging his spelling samples from school, including him in the ordering of activities in each session and showing him his progress.  Daniela tailors her approach and pace differently and appropriately for our 4th and 6th graders to hone in on their focus areas for noticeable improvements.  We are so appreciative of Daniela and the positive results we're seeing with both of our sons.  We highly recommend her!"  

"When I’ve sat in on our sessions, I find that you’re doing a fantastic job.  It’s interactive for them, they’re engaged, and I can actually see the progress they’re making.  On my side, I’m quite happy with the way things are moving along here."

"Being part of Kids Up Reading means being part of a reading program that your child will graduate from, and I like being able to see my son’s weekly progress as he crosses items off his learning chart. Daniela sends weekly reports, but honestly I can hear the progress because I’m sitting in the next room.  :)"

"Meg,  Thank you for the update. Charlie absolutely raves about you every day. From the connection to trains or coasters, to the amazing positive reinforcement he gets, he is always sharing new things the two of you worked on.  Great job!"

And later, in a follow up to Daniela: "Meg is great. Charlie looks forward to every session with her."

"[My husband] and I were just commenting last night how amazing it is that she never complains about coming home from school and immediately jumping on Zoom for your time with her. She is learning so much and I am so grateful for your work with her and that we found you when we did."

"I just wanted to let you know that Margot was using the skills she's learned with you this weekend when she was writing her birthday thank you notes. She was sounding out the words as she was writing and for necklace, she said, that's ck. I was very surprised she knew that and said so. She said, well Miss Daniela told me that it's ck when the vowel is short. She also was able to spell lights correctly. I was impressed:)"  And just a few weeks after that: "Margot just told me she loves reading.  She said it's her favorite thing ever!"

"Thank you for the update, and for all your continuing work with [our daughter].  I was sitting in the next room while [she] had her lesson yesterday (and earlier this week), and her reading is so much improved.  She seems to be flying through Diary of a Pug, not getting tripped up on too many words, handling some tricky words well, understanding the story as she reads, and clearly enjoying it with her dramatic renditions."

Dad: "I'm almost in tears listening to her.  She's come so far." Mom: "She really has." 

"Thank you! She was practicing up a storm last night after dinner.  'Mom! Ask me how to write anything.  I can do it!'  She is gaining such confidence - real confidence, not false bravado.  It's so amazing to see."

"We are already seeing a HUGE improvement in Penelope.  Last night she was confused as Phoebe was not pronounced with a long O sound.  I almost cried." 

"I used to cry all the time because I couldn't do my homework.  Now I can actually read the directions and do it!"

Roses are red

Reading is cool

You can do it after school

When my reading teacher is excited

I feel good too

"Good Morning Rachel, This all sounds great.  I tried to be in the other room during the session so I could listen and he seemed very happy and enaged.  I appreciate all of your work with him!"

"Thank you so much Rachel. Anne had a great week. She is very enthusiastic about what she's learning and we really appreciate that you are keeping things fun for her! "

And a few weeks later: "Anne is having a great time with you and I can tell that she feels good about the progress she is making."

"I know Clara is really enjoying all of this and I can see how it is helping her to grow in skills and confidence."  

"I really appreciate your [Amber's] thorough updates.  Gabe is making tremendous strides thanks to your help." And then his father added: "I just want to second what [his mother] said.  We are seeing a lot more confidence and spontaneous reading by Gabe, which is really fantastic.  I think your sessions are really making a huge positive impact!"

"I saw your question at the end of last week but was waiting for Simon’s teacher to get me his DIEBELS score. She had told us at conferences that he was reading at mid 3rd grade level and she wasn’t concerned at all but I wanted the score breakdown too. I’m attaching it to this email. I am so happy that he has caught up and feel very confident that it is because Kristina and Sasha have been so great.  I have noticed a huge difference in his reading abilities and also just comfort. He’s reading to his brother and sister voluntarily now. Let me know what your thoughts are and if it’s time to wind down the tutoring."

"What a great first day. We do have book 24 [Magic Tree House] so I will put it on Charlie's desk for today's session. He had glowing reviews of your session. He especially liked how enthusiastic you were when he got things right. I think a big part of Charlie's issue is confidence. How that translates specifically to reading I will leave to your expertise. 

We look forward to his continued work and progress with you."

"Thanks so much for the update.  Max was really happy and excited after his first session.  He’s looking forward to talking with you tonight at 7! "

"I also wanted to let you know for the first time I “caught” Emma reading to herself before bed. Thank you for making this moment possible!  

It really was a wonderful sight."  

"And thanks for the info regarding his progress - it’s helpful to read the full rundown of his accomplishments for the week, as well as where he’s struggling and exceeding. And lastly, thanks also for being so great to him - I know you work really hard on building rapport, and I think it plays a big role in his successes every week. We appreciate it so much!"

"Meg, thank you immensely for your meticulous support over the past months. It has been great to see Claire’s ability, and in turn confidence, grow as a result.

We also appreciate all of the details you have given us along the way and feedback on additional skills we can assist her with.

Most of all, we value the fact that she found you as a kind, helpful person to meet with. She progressed so much because of who you are as a person. We will be sure to recommend you should we come into contact with someone who needs support. "

"Thank you, Sasha.  We are very pleased with the progress Bekalu is making with you. You have hit it off with him and manage to keep his attention focused for the entire session.  Coupled with seeing [his SLP] on Saturday mornings, we think that Bekalu may actually start to enjoy reading! "

After this exchange, Bekalu's mom asked Bekalu how he feels about the tutoring, and here's his response:  "Before Sasha started helping me I hated reading.  Now I think I like it."

And then from dad: "Daniela, I am just curious what you think is the secret sauce that you use to get kids like Bekalu reading. I hear Sasha (and before them, you) giving Bekalu lots of choices and I wonder if that’s it. You also seem to make it fun somehow. Anyway, whatever methods you have developed, work well. Congrats. "

After 2 months of tutoring, mom again: "Watching Bekalu’s progress in reading with you and Sasha is magical."

"We put our kids in a tiny Montessori school so they would be in person as we know how important that is. BUT this Zoom model works great. The main thing I appreciate is the convenience of it with the frequency. I want [John] to be able to do all the other things (sports for him) 4th graders do and this model lets us do that without feeling over programmed.  

He is so engaged and I also get to see and hear what is happening.  The biggest impression I’ve gotten from him is that he knows it’s helping him in ways other in person and/or virtual things haven’t so there is no complaint when it’s time to join. He likes it because he can so clearly see how much it is helping him. I don’t have to point it out, he is just ready to join."

"I just have to share that Paul raided his brother's bookshelf tonight and has been reading a My Weird School book both out loud and to himself, and is laughing so hard he has tears rolling down his face. His reading is phenomenal and brought tears to my eyes. I could never, ever have imagined last November that I would see my sweet boy in March reading a My Weird School book fluently and taking such JOY from the experience. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving us this amazing gift!!!"

"I did ask him to read a shorter chapter while sitting across from me while I worked. I thought he would read aloud, but he said he wanted to read to himself. I kind of assumed he wasn't really reading the chapter when he was doing it in his head. 

But when he said he was done, I asked him to tell me what happened, and he was able to pretty clearly articulate what he had read. I was astonished and proud. I wouldn't trust that he could read the whole book without assistance, but the fact that he got through a chapter in a reasonable amount of time and without any complaining is remarkable."

"Thanks for the recap Carly. When I asked Stella how it went/how she felt about it she said with a big smile 'Carly is a really good teacher and I'm really glad I get to have her as a tutor' - so agreed, we're off to a great start on all fronts!"

"Walt's reading is improving/has improved TREMENDOUSLY since beginning tutoring (which we are all over the moon about!)  We are SO happy with the work you’ve done with Walt to-date, and the progress he’s made ... You not only work hard on teaching him, and he’s learning so much from you, but you also work so hard on connecting with him, and it really makes a difference in his ability to learn from you. We couldn’t be more happy with having you as his tutor! [W]e think you are doing an amazing job.

"Thank you!! [Lily] insisted we download that Owl Diaries book last night on Kindle and she finished reading it (out loud) to us. In the last 48 hours, something clicked. She is obsessed with reading for the first time. She even asked to go the library last night (which we did) and she checked out 7 books. She says she has a goal of reading 1 book a day. She was giddy last night and I am convinced it is because it feels so good to her to be actually reading. It is like her brain suddenly got it!

So exciting."

Thanks, Max! Alex enjoyed his session :)

You must have convinced him it will be beneficial to have some lessons :)

He went from grouchy before to happy afterwards :)

"Awesome! Fantastic. Happy to help. 

You really have been a godsend."

"Daniela, 

You are amazing. Thank you. I am so proud of the work that Tina is doing, and you really do facilitate it.

Grateful. So grateful. 

Happy Friday. 

Sara"

"I have been spreading the word about your program to friends of Tommy's at Discovery. We are very excited with his improvements. I told Max that he has become a little bookworm and wants to read all the time. I keep finding him in corners reading, and trying to read and walk at the same time which is a little dangerous because he is slightly absent minded to start. "

"Thanks very much, Max.  I have really noticed an improvement in Simon's ability to read words in every day settings.  We played a family game last night that required us to take turns reading cards, and Simon was much more able to do so – and much less frustrated with it."