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 my students faced in learning to read
and write. She was fortunate to find the answers when she studied the Orton-Gillingham
Approach. She analyzed the processes involved in learning to read and write using her linguistic
training. She 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 went on to
establish 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 that of being a 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 an Ontario College of Teachers member and has 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, which range from Learning Disabled to Gifted. Her methodology is an
amalgamation of her experience in the field and education in science and linguistics.