Testimonials
Our two children have had the fortune of tutoring with Mrs. Leach over the past four years. We have seen first-hand the amazing transformation in our children’s reading and writing skills as well as their confidence socially and academically. She has an exceptional ability to identify and adapt her teaching style to each of our children’s learning differences. We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to allow her to make such a remarkable impact on our children’s lives and their academic potential.
Tracy, Parent
Annapolis, MD
I have had the privilege of working with Erica Leach for the past twenty years, in an academic capacity. Ms. Leach is extraordinarily gifted in working with children and knows how to connect with them in a manner that promotes high-level learning and confidence-building. Erica’s students adore her and progress beautifully due to her teaching strategies, engaging approach, expertise, and love of teaching. Ms. Leach is an accomplished specialist with children and guides parents through the educational process to find the best route for each child. I deeply respect and have total faith in Erica Leach and would absolutely have her work with my own children.
Karen, Academic Therapist
Annapolis, MD
We have loved working with Erica! My daughter was diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD in first grade, and we immediately started working with Erica. She is the main reason why, at 12 years old, my daughter is reading and thriving in her mainstream school environment. Not only was she an outstanding Orton Gillingham trained tutor who created individual lessons that catered to both our daughter’s strengths and interests, but she also provided so much guidance for us as parents as far as supporting her learning and offering ways to navigate her future academic journey. Erica was always an advocated for our daughter in her academic environment, too – following through to ensure her learning plan was being put into action in the classroom.
I highly recommend Erica – she’s a wonderful educator, extremely knowledgeable, takes times to really get to know you and your child and their needs, and provides a supportive learning space for students to feel confident and to grow as readers.
Emily, Parent
Annapolis, MD
Erica has been my role model for Orton Gillingham instruction. When I first completed my OG training, I really relied on her to coach me. In observing her lessons, I noticed how structured yet creative she is in developing multi-sensory activities. She makes challenging concepts fun, and her students love their time with her. She knows the Orton-Gillingham program backwards and forwards, so the teaching moves she makes in the midst of a lesson allow her to adapt and differentiate her instruction on the fly. Erica really is a master teacher, and her students benefit from all the ways she helps them crack the reading code.
Karen, Educator & Administrator
Annapolis, MD
Mrs. Erica Leach is an outstanding and effective instructional leader, mentor, coach and educator. Her professional knowledge supported by the research of the science of reading coupled with a pedagogy approach utilizing best practices of instruction with students is a joy to observe. She skillfully and beautifully differentiates and creates the best learning environment for every student which speaks to her outstanding qualities and commitment as a responsive educator.
Lower School Educator
Annapolis, MD
Family and health are my most treasured assets. I am the mother of four children: 3 boys and 1 girl. Despite all four being physically healthy, they each have endured various learning disabilities along the way. From rare eye conditions (requiring NIH) to Dyslexia and severe ADHD (requiring Kennedy Krieger intervention), we have tackled the issues with the help of OT, IEPs, 504s, special instruction and private tutors.
When I began to notice problems with my 3rd child in 2016 (age 7), I was unable to get support from public education. I was told there was nothing wrong with her and to relax. For 5 years, I kept asking the opinions of her teachers and no one expressed any concerns. I found this surprising since she struggled to read and often wrote her letters backward. During the same time period, Erica Leach entered my world when our two oldest children attended the same school and we often spoke at social events.
In 2021 and 2022 (ages 11 and 12), my daughter was scoring so poorly on standardized tests (despite decent grades) that her stepfather validated my concerns when I shared the results with him. Knowing that we had been dismissed by various educators over the years, I hired a tutor and also mentioned this to Erica. The tutor preformed some basic tests and Erica asked that I send her everything I had (grades, test scores and tutor concerns) so she could review all of the data.
Upon review, Erica immediately set up a virtual meeting on October 14, 2022. She recommended neuropsychological testing be done to confirm what she was suspecting. She gave me the name of a woman who made a special exception to get my daughter in on October 31, 2022 when the normal wait was six months or greater.
As a result, in November 2022, my daughter was diagnosed (finally) at age 13.5 with Dyslexia and possible ADD. As a result, we immediately changed course for high school and I was able to apply (just in time) to a special program that caters to students like my daughter. These programs require documentation, and, thanks to Erica, I had it.
If Erica had not recognized the problem, referred me to qualified specialists and pulled strings to get her tested quickly, my daughter would never have been placed at the proper high school; and most likely, would have failed to progress. I believe Erica changed the trajectory of my daughter’s life. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Erica Leach.
Margaret, Parent
Annapolis, MD
Erica Leach’s influence on my daughter’s reading and comprehension was transformative. She loved and looked forward to tutoring and was excited to share her progress with me. But most importantly, she gained confidence in her learning, which translates into all of her other subjects and efforts in school. I couldn’t recommend Erica highly enough.
Lisa, Parent
Annapolis, MD
Mrs. Leach is a master teacher and skilled Orton-Gillingham tutor. In her work with students, Mrs. Leach seeks to engage them through multi-sensory techniques, as well as appealing to their interests. In her work with educators, Mrs. Leach brings the science of reading to life, and provides useful insights into techniques that support students with language-based learning differences and can benefit all students. Mrs. Leach is truly a rock star in her field!