Gina Gabriel – Experienced Literacy Educator and Structured Literacy Specialist
Gina is a credentialed and highly experienced educator who provides structured, systematic, and multisensory literacy instruction for learners of all ages. As a dedicated reading and writing specialist, Gina is passionate about helping individuals strengthen their literacy skills and gain self-confidence. She believes that reading and writing proficiency unlocks a person’s full academic and personal potential.
Her journey as an educator began early, inspired by growing up with a sibling with a disability. This experience sparked her lifelong interest in child development, language acquisition, and the importance of individualized support for diverse learners. Gina is deeply committed to inclusive education and recognizes the unique strengths and challenges each student brings to the learning process.
Gina holds a B.A. in Speech Sciences from the Linguistics Department at the University of British Columbia and an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from The George Washington University. She has worked in a wide range of educational settings, which has shaped her approach to culturally responsive, research-based instruction. Her professional training is grounded in the science of reading, and she specializes in structured literacy interventions that are evidence-based and highly effective.
Whether supporting struggling readers, students with learning differences such as dyslexia, or those needing targeted literacy support, Gina brings empathy, expertise, and a deep belief in every learner’s ability to thrive.
The Slingerland lesson format incorporates key components of the Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic-Motor modalities for successful learning in a structured integrated lesson:
manuscript and cursive Handwriting reinforcing the kinesthetic-motor pathways for neurological integration
new vocabulary and articulation skills through the daily Question Of The Day
Visual Cards, Decoding, Reading & Comprehension
Auditory spelling on a chart, board and paper, leading to a dictation sentence/paragraph
The instruction progresses from the smallest unit of sight, sound, and feel - the letter/grapheme - to larger units of words, phrases and sentences. In each lesson, new concepts are introduced in a structured and sequential manner, and tailored to the needs of the individual student.
The Slingerland Approach incorporates all of the five pillars promoted by the National Reading Panel and the Science of Reading - Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension. And unlike most other Orton-Gillingham based programs, it also includes a handwriting component - which additionally reinforces the kinesthetic-motor pathways required for successful neurological integration.
Slingerland is also accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) and the International Dyslexia Association (IDA).
Based in Lamorinda, I offer personalized support to children struggling with reading, writing, and emotional needs. I’m committed to helping your child succeed academically and emotionally.
Services:
Structured Literacy and Dyslexia Intervention
Personalized Learning Plans
Expertise in the Slingerland Approach and the Science of Reading
Direct and explicit instruction in cursive and manuscript Handwriting
Expertise in Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing reading comprehension