About Us
Our Philosophy
Using the Orton Gillingham tutoring approach, we have designed a multisensory program for students with learning differences. Our multisensory program involves utilizing the four learning pathways: hearing, seeing, touching, and scribing. Our belief includes working from simple to complex and strengthening the underlying concepts students struggle with. We place importance on discovery in learning, rather than memory.
Founder & Head of School
Our education director, Hebah Ali, is a certified mathematics and science teacher for the New Westminster School Board. Although other instructors teach OG concepts, Hebah has created a program which closely connects the Orton Gillingham curriculum with the B.C. Ministry standards. Our program works to help students meet the connection between tutoring and school.
“At Discover Learning, our mission is to help every child build confidence, develop strong literacy skills, and reach their full potential through personalized, evidence-based instruction.”
Co-Founder & Head Tutor
Faraaz Ali, head tutor at Discover Learning, has been a certified Orton Gillingham tutor since December 2010. He is also a certified education assistant. He started his journey working for the Learning Disabilities Association of Vancouver tutoring both OG mathematics and English. This drove his passion for teaching, and he joined his sister on her business venture where they created Discover Learning.
We believe in meeting every student where they are and helping them achieve their full potential.
Orton Gillingham
The Orton Gillingham tutoring approach is a multisensory program, which utilizes the four learning pathways: auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and tactile, to teach phonics and sound to symbol relationships. It was originally founded by Dr. Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham.
The approach is:
- Language Based: The methodologies look at the mechanics of language and break it down into rules, morphology, sound to symbol relationships, and blend it into the writing process.
- Multisensory: The lessons utilize the four learning pathways providing a holistic teaching approach.
- Sequential/Systematic: Lessons are structured in a similar manner in order for the student to logically connect past material to new material.
- Flexible: The approach is catered to the child’s needs and progresses with the child’s ability.
- Emotionally Sound: Teachers encourage learning and making the experience positive. Students learn that mistakes are a part of learning and are a normal part of the learning process
What makes us different
Lessons
Each lesson is individualized to meet the child’s needs. Our units are taught with discovery, practice, recording, and overlearning.
Emotional Learning
Many children feel unsuccessful and defeated when they come to our center. We make our students feel like mistakes are a part of learning, rather than errors. We believe confidence is a huge part of success in a child, so a reward system is important.
What parents say
B.C. Ministry of Education Curriculum
The B.C. Ministry of Education provides learning standards and grade-level expectations for every course offered in the province’s public school system.