Individualized Literacy Instruction
INCREDIBLE STRIDES IN READING SKILLSIn the first grade, my daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia. She struggles with basic reading skills. This past summer, she was given the opportunity to work on a one-on-one basis with Dr. Karen Wieland. They have been using the Wilson Reading system. My daughter has been making incredible strides in her reading skills. This past summer for school, she has read five books with very little assistance.
Incredibly Dedicated, Caring, FriendlyDr. Karen is an exceptional teacher. I would highly recommend her to any parent seeking foundational instruction spelling and reading. She is incredibly dedicated, caring, friendly, engaged with her student and really knows her stuff! It’s quite clear that, for her, this teaching is a calling rather than an extra source of income. My daughter actually looks forward to her phonics sessions with Dr. Karen. That says a lot. In two weeks of intense sessions, we have already noticed a distinct improvement. This was a great investment of time and money!
I'VE SEEN MY DAUGHTER'S CONFIDENCE SPILL OVERKaren M. Wieland, Ph.D. has given my daughter the skills and confidence to look at a unknown word and decode it without the anxiety that she used to deal with when reading. I’ve seen that confidence spill over into her writing and spelling as well. These classes have been wonderful for her. Thank you, Dr. Wieland!
Friendly teacher made the material fun and intuitivePublic review of Multsensory Phonics on Outschool:
My daughter loved this class. The teacher was friendly and really made the material fun and intuitive. My daughter does not warm to classes easy so I was thrilled that she liked this one and wants to keep going with it. Rating 5/5
KNOWLEDGEABLE AND COMPASSIONATEMy 15 year old grand daughter has a reading disability diagnosed in second grade, for which a systematic, structured, phonics based approach to remediation was required. She has been working with Dr. Wieland for approximately 2 1/2 years using the Wilson Reading system to develop decoding skills and vocabulary, content and contextual exercises to improve her fluency and overall reading abilities. This type of specific targeted one to one approach to her reading disability was not available to her in school. She has made significant progress thorough her work with Dr. Wieland improving her reading ability and in the ability to achieve at grade level in content areas. Dr. Wieland is a knowledgeable and compassionate educator and makes the tutoring experience a positive one. I am also familiar with Dr. Wieland as a volunteered as a tutor through Literacy Volunteers of Cattaraugus County and she brings the same talents and dedication to working with adults with literacy issues. Her experience and knowledge of the dynamics of reading instruction are invaluable to struggling learners. Having spent 40 years in the literacy and education professions I would highly recommend Dr. Wieland as both a tutor and learning coach.
"I wish that class would last for a million years!"Public review of Multisensory Phonics Level III on Outschool:
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Karen’s classes. After the last class, my son came outside and said, “I wish that class would last for a million years”. I think that speaks for itself!! Rating 5/5
GREAT LESSONDr. Karen was wonderful and I can tell she has a genuine interest in my daughter and her success.
Really Great Over ZoomDr Karen is really great over Zoom and kept our wriggly 7 year old engaged. She taught him new WRS techniques that have really helped him.
Dr. Karen really succeeds in individualizing her assignments to address her students needsReview of Multisensory Phonics for Word Recognition (Decoding) & Spelling (Encoding)- Level VIII: Dr. Karen really succeeds in individualizing her assignments to address her students needs. I have been very pleased with the progress my son has made. It has led to increased confidence.
Rating: 5 / 5
We are seeing progressPublic review of Multsensory Phonics Level 1 on Outschool:
[My daughter] is really enjoying the class with you and we are seeing progress in her understanding of how to spell. Thank you very much! Rating 5/5
Test Preparation Tutoring
MY SON RAISED HIS TEST SCORE BY 140 POINTSKaren is passionate about teaching! It is obvious to her students that she loves what she does, bringing much knowledge and enthusiasm to every session. Karen tutored my son for his SAT’s and with her guidance and support he raised his test score 140 points. The time restrictions with standardized testing is extremely challenging for students with dyslexia. My son is currently a honor student without support in high school. He was frustrated and struggling when it came to SAT/ACT. Karen spent time explaining how to prepare and take the test, as well as working with him to explore strategies that had him confidently walking into the test center, fully prepared. I can say, with much assurance, that I would recommend Karen to any student. Thanks Karen!
GREAT PERSONAL TOUCHKaren is very personable and made my daughter feel right at home. Her evaluation of the session was helpful and encouraging. Wonderful experience! – Kelsey, parent (on WyzAnt)
KNOWLEDGEABLE & ACCOMMODATINGWhat I like most about Dr. Karen’s tutoring sessions, is that she is patient and relates our content session with real life examples and puts things in simple terms for me to understand. I like that we brain-storm together.
DILIGENT, PREPARED, EXTREMELY HELPFULKaren customized each session based on some pre-session questions- you don’t get a ‘canned’ lesson with Karen. Very thoughtful, dedicated, and personable. She also provided parent with post- session updates, which were very helpful.
EXCELLENT TEACHER!Karen taught our son SAT writing skills, and grammar. She was thoroughly prepared for each lesson, and went above and beyond to help our son reach his fullest potential. Highly recommend!
UNSURE TO CONFIDENTKaren is a kind and compassionate tutor that met my child’s needs in prepping for the SAT test. She went from unsure to confident in just a couple of sessions. I am very pleased with her progress and with Karen’s gentle prodding that kept her working toward her goals.
Professional Development Workshops
I FEEL PREPARED AND READY[ . . . ] I believe that without the aforementioned courses and Dr. Wieland’s presence, I would have been struggling to tread water my first few years, compared to how I feel, which is prepared and read to apply what I learned and practiced in my own reading classroom.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT ITS BESTAs facilitator, Karen coordinated the monthly meetings and facilitated book selection and discussion. The group involved 10 active members. Karen’s book recommendations were always outstanding. Her vast knowledge of reading research always resulted in some very interesting books for the group to read and discuss. Consequently, discussions were always so rich with information. Our book group learned a great deal about teaching reading from Karen and from each other. This was professional development at its best.
UNPARALLELED MENTORSHIPDr. Wieland is a professor unparalleled in her professionalism, mentorship, and expertise in the field. [ . . . ] I credit the challenge, rigor, and authenticity of Dr. Wieland’s instruction as a leading factor in my success following my graduate work [ . . . ]. Her words of encouragement and suggestions for improvement were the most valuable resource for me as I developed my craft as an educator. [ . . . ] The skill and knowledge I gained from her continue to shape my approach to education. I value the confidence she instilled in me.
INTERACTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTSDr. Wieland’s support and guidance including her rigorous course expectations, prepared me for my future career as a Reading Specialist. [ . . . ] Dr. Wieland’s strengths include her ability to foster the development of knowledge and skill through her interactive learning environments, her guidance in creating compassionate and ethical educators, and staying true to their values in the educational community.
HARD WORK, DEDICATION, EXPERIENCE[ . . . ] This process of data tracking was one that I took with me and still use today. Through careful reflection and meaningful decision-making, I am confident that my students are supported and enriched in the area of literacy. I would not have this confidence and knowledge without the guidance of Dr. Wieland. [ . . . ] Dr. Wieland’s continuous hard work, dedication, and array of experience is a reflection of what her graduate students become.
SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONSI always felt challenged yet equally supported by all my professors. Then, I met Dr. Wieland, and she surpassed my expectations even higher for exceptional faculty. I experienced how much passion she puts into her practice! [ . . . ] Dr. Wieland’s dedication, knowledge, and guidance helped me transition from a student who was eager to make a difference in the world to a professional who is prepared to meet the needs of young learners.
MAJOR IMPACT ON MY ABILITYThe rigorous courses I took with Dr. Wieland reinforced my skills as a reading teacher by providing me with the tools I need to implement meaningful small group instruction in my classroom every day. [ . . . ] Without these classes, I would not have been as prepared as I was to take a job with a focus on small group reading instruction. Dr. Wieland had a major impact on my ability to teach reading and also inspired me as a teacher. She has a strong compassion and drive to influence young teachers.
HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEACHERDr. Wieland is a highly effective teacher. She has a VERY strong command of the material – her vast repertoire of knowledge is positively astonishing. She inspires and motivates me to be the absolute best educator that I can be. Dr. Wieland’s high expectations and thoughtful instruction has had such a profound impact on my life as a student this semester. This instructor knows what she is talking about. She studies it, is aware of other research being done, sticks to the topic, and she always has time for her students…even though sometimes not herself. She is the best professor I have ever come across and I have been to many colleges. She will give you what you paid for! – Anonymous student feedback
OPENED MY EYESDr Wieland opened my eyes to the obstacles literacy teachers face at the secondary level. She guided me to change my thinking [ . . . ] to appreciate that even high school aged students might need some basic reading instruction and skills.
UNWAVERING DEVOTIONAs educators, we have the power to affect eternity through each life that we touch. This privilege, however, comes only through the time that our own teachers have dedicated to our development. Dr. Karen Wieland is one such educator who has demonstrated an unwavering devotion to the education of her students. [ . . . ] While her scholarship and professionalism are undeniable, what is most striking about Dr. Wieland is her devotion to relationships. [ . . . ] It truly takes one “extraordinary” educator to develop another.
Writing & Editing
EXPERTISE REALLY HELPED MEDr. Wieland has edited and provided suggestions for revision for several of my education research publications. I am grateful for her expertise, which really helped me through the publication process. I would highly recommend her services!
DEEP KNOWLEDGEI have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Karen Wieland since 2013. We worked as colleagues for two years in a university graduate literacy program. Under her mentorship as my department Chair, I grew in my knowledge of preparing future reading specialists/coaches to work in schools. I was privy to the great work that Karen did with our graduate literacy candidates in their clinical practicum course. She led students in their work with multiple children who were clients for the Reading Center that Karen ran. Karen’s knowledge of diagnostic assessment and remediation allowed our graduate literacy candidates to be well-prepared and competitive in the job market. Karen and I both spent time working with adult learners in a community literacy program and her knowledge of assessment and remediation for reading difficulties proved invaluable in that context as well. Karen and I have also worked collaboratively on multiple scholarly pursuits. Together, we obtained three research grants, which allow us to study the outcomes of different aspects of our work with graduate literacy students. Although we no longer work together, Karen and I have maintained close collegial ties as we work together in thinking about pedagogy, curriculum, and research. Karen’s deep knowledge of scholarship in literacy and teacher education more broadly are essential as we work toward preparing manuscripts for publication and presentations at conferences. Whether working with younger “kiddos” or young adult or adult learners, developing courses or curriculum, or working on scholarship for publication, Karen puts her all into every task she undertakes. Karen comes with my highest of recommendations.
Voice Lessons
Karen gave me a rock solid foundation in voice and that experience gave me a love for voice that I carry with me today
If you are fortunate enough to have Karen as a teacher, count yourself as one of the lucky ones. I have been actively pursuing and succeeding in a professional entertainment career for the better of my life and have had many MANY amazing teachers and I count her as one of those amazing teachers and I don’t just mean in voice. Not ONLY does she have the expertise of the voice and how to overcome your personal, unique vocal issues, but her caring teaching style and way of giving you the right information needed at the right time in the right moments make her a great choice for an amazing experience. She gave me a rock solid foundation in voice and that experience gave me a love for voice that I carry with me today. Sadly for me Karen isn’t in NYC because if she were I would still be working with her today as one of the secret weapons in my arsenal to my continued success in this business. Do walk, RUN to a lesson today and see if I’m joking. Believe me, i’m not. 😉 Good luck on your journey take the first step, call Karen. PAX
With Karen's work, we (St. Joe's) became without a doubt the place to go to seek excellence in musical theater voice, in both classical levels, popular levels, and classical literature
I worked with Karen Wieland for many years in the programs at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, as well as an affiliate, friend, and advisor, when I was teaching at the State University of New York at Buffalo and Niagara University, and when I was working in professional and semi-professional theater in Buffalo. Paraphrasing the words of opera singer Nadine Asher Washington, who workshopped with Karen’s students at St. Joe’s in 1990, Karen is the best teacher she’s known, particularly for young people; all came out in beautiful shape, with varied abilities to sing various genres of music, and with absolutely exceptional technique, freedom, and health. Karen was the vocal coach for the St. Joe’s Swing Choir and for all the musicals I have done (more than twenty). With her work, we (St. Joe’s) became without a doubt the place to go to seek excellence in musical theater voice, in both classical levels, popular levels, and classical literature. Karen is versed in many languages; she can teach the literature necessary in for classical voice in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Latin, and English. She has an expertise in both the natural singing voice, which is used in musical theater singing as well as lieder singing, oratorio singing, and the operatic genre. I would not hesitate to give Karen Wieland, as both a vocal teacher and reading specialist, the highest recommendation.
Karen manages to meet singers where they are and builds on that foundation with technique and musicality that she expresses clearly and concisely.
Karen Wieland is an encouraging, meticulous and musically gifted singer, voice teacher and choir director. I have had the pleasure of working with Karen on and off since high school as both a student and as an accompanist. I have witnessed her work with high school singers and choirs and have seen how she uses positive reinforcement to get the best out of them, no matter their skill level. She manages to meet them where they are and builds on that foundation with technique and musicality that she expresses clearly and concisely. Working with her as a vocal teacher and coach, she always had a keen knack of pinpointing any technical issues that were getting in the way of my achieving a free, fully resonant sound. Her vocal warm-ups were never one-size-fits-all. She would always gear them to the specific things I needed to work through. Above all, Karen has a warmth and genuineness that makes you feel free to be open both vocally and emotionally (which was particularly wonderful when she coached me for live performances of some of my original songs). You know she is on your side.
EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGEVery good communications skills that so than an inexperienced vocalist can understand and relate to. Karen has been punctual and has followed through where commitments have been made.