Welcome! I’m Rae (they/she), an educator and writer based in Seattle. I started Big Leaf Literacy with one lofty goal: expand our collective capacity to develop strong literacy skills — in ourselves, our children, and future generations. Here’s how:

• Provide 1-on-1 and small group reading and writing lessons to learners of all ages (including adults!)

• Offer affordable classes and workshops to educators and caregivers on effective reading and writing instruction

• Create materials to support teaching and developing critical literacy, digital literacy, and information literacy alongside foundational skills

My Philosophy

I believe that literacy is a fundamental right and a powerful tool for personal and social transformation. Reading and writing are more than skills; they are technologies that expand our ability to communicate, think critically, and engage with the world around us. Unfortunately, many individuals face barriers to literacy, whether due to undiagnosed learning challenges, inadequate instruction, or lack of access to education.

Inspired by Paulo Freire’s idea of "reading the word and the world," I see literacy not just as the ability to decode written text but as a means to understand, question, and reshape our realities. True literacy empowers individuals to critically analyze both the words they read and the world they inhabit, fostering deeper connections to their communities and opening pathways to opportunity.

For the past few years, I have invested deeply in developing my own skills in multisensory literacy and handwriting instruction and executive function coaching. These practices are essential for supporting learners in developing the strong literacy and executive function skills they need to reach their academic potential and actively engage in the world. My approach aims not only to build reading and writing proficiency but also to empower learners to think critically, solve problems, and shape their futures.

My Experience

I have been teaching in a wide variety of roles for the past 20 years. Here’s a brief overview of my work history:

• Educator in public & private schools

• Learning specialist at an independent middle school & high school

• Private academic coach for K-12 and college students

• Teaching assistant and tutor at the university level

• ESOL, GED, and Adult Basic Education instructor at a community-based organization

To learn more about my professional experience, please visit my LinkedIn profile.