Evelyn Reiss is motivated by curiosity, a search for answers, and a desire to help. When she started teaching, she was amazed at the difficulty many of her students faced in learning to read and write. She was fortunate to find the answers when she studied the Orton-Gillingham Approach. Using her linguistic training, she analyzed the processes involved in learning to read and write and found that complex learning could be taught through a system combining pattern recognition, text analysis, and multi-sensory techniques provided in a therapeutic environment.

Her pedagogical journey began in the public system as an elementary teacher. Later, she established The Writing Studio, where she taught children and adults. Evelyn also established an education consulting and assessment practice, the Claremont School, a private elementary school for students with dyslexia, and a teacher training institute.

Evelyn’s academic background in the Sciences, Arts, and Education has given her insight into the challenges of reading in different disciplines. She was always interested in systems, whether scientific or linguistic. Evelyn published her first book of poetry at the age of 11 years. After completing her B.Sc. in Physiology, she co-authored a book on nutrition entitled Stay Healthy in Later Life, edited ESL textbooks, and worked as a freelance journalist. Evelyn’s interest in language and science led her to a post-graduate degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and High School Biology. Once she began her teaching career, Evelyn obtained a Specialist in Special Education and a Master of Arts in Psychology and Curriculum Studies (Leeds University). Her most cherished qualification is Fellow of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). Evelyn completed her second Master of Arts (University of Toronto), where her thesis was a formative case study using the OG Approach. She wrote the language curriculum for the Claremont School. The curriculum is available to teachers worldwide as The Great Word House™ (GWH). Claremont School is also a teacher training institute for the GWH and Orton-Gillingham Practical Linguistics™.

Evelyn is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers with qualifications in the Primary, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions. As an Education Consultant, Reading and Writing Specialist, and classroom teacher, she has over 30 years of experience helping children and adults with many different skill levels, ranging from Learning Disabilities to Giftedness. Her methodology is an amalgamation of her experience in the field and education in science and linguistics.