Colorado Springs

Krista is our oldest child so we did not have a baseline of how quickly she should read.  I did start asking questions starting when she was in first grade, though, and was told not to worry.  She was tested, routinely did poorly on reading assessments, did different programs through the school system, and never quite seemed to catch on.  We hired reading specialist tutors to help her, one of whom told us she was "cured" at the end of 3rd grade.  After 4th grade assessments came back with her scoring in the 55th percentile in reading and 95th percentile in math (a red flag), we started researching things more carefully, had her privately assessed both re: IQ and reading ability, and finally got the diagnosis that she is dyslexic.  The school offered a teacher who had "training" in the method used by Miss Avivah, but in speaking with him, it turns out he had a weekend course and hadn't actually tutored a student yet.  We said no - we wanted someone with extensive training, with experience in working with dyslexic students, and with proven track record in improving reading skills.

It was slow going at first - and it wasn't until a year into tutoring when things really clicked such that Krista would pick up a book on her own.  With Miss Avivah's help, we got her on a 504 plan so that she would have extra time to take tests and so that her "abilities," not her disability, would be tested.  I'll never forget the day I was able to call Miss Avivah and tell her that Krista, with the benefit of her extended time, got a perfect score on her ACT reading.  She got into Colorado School of Mines and graduated with a degree in Mechanical and Electrical engineering, and currently works on the F100 engine used to power the F15 and F16 fighter jets.  She is successful and happy - in large part thanks to Miss Avivah and the amazing gift she gave Krista of learning how to read.

Colorado Springs

Learning that you have a "disability" is hard. Especially when it is a condition that everyone has heard of but not many understand. However, with the right help, with the right encouragement, and with the right tools, dyslexia does not have to be a disability.  You can turn it into an ability.  

My name is Krista Cyr, and I was diagnosed with dyslexia the summer after 4th grade. Luckily that is not where my story stops but where my journey began. I was blessed that my parents were able to find Miss Avivah as my tutor. She helped to advocate for my right to learn my way in school and helped my parents advocate for proper accommodations. She then took a struggling reader and helped me retrain my brain and learn how to read more efficiently and effectively.  She also taught me that I think uniquely but that unique is not bad. 

Miss Avivah gave me tools that were designed for me so that I could learn to love reading. Through her help and the accommodations that she helped set up, I was able to reach my full potential by getting a perfect score on the reading section of the ACT. I then went on to get my engineering degree at Colorado School of Mines. I now work with the United States Air Force in a job that I love and one that uses my greatest ability, dyslexia. The way I think is different and in engineering, it always helps to think outside the box. 

I am forever grateful to Miss Avivah for taking a disability and showing me how to turn that into my ability.

Colorado Springs, CO

It is my pleasure to whole-heartedly and enthusiastically recommend Miss Avivah for dyslexia remediation and academic support.

My son, Matthew, was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD in the fourth grade by an psychologist who recommended Miss Avivah for remediation, and we started with her that year.

Given the way Matthew resisted whenever I attempted to help him with school work, I dreaded the thought of having to drag him kicking and screaming to work with a tutor.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Matthew connected with Avivah from the first session and was always happy to visit her.

In less than a year of working with Avivah, I saw a huge (almost magical) change in Matthew’s attitude towards reading and writing. It was no longer that dreaded subject. In fact, he made A’s in 6th grade English with the “scary” teacher reputed to be very demanding. He did so with the accommodations Avivah helped us secure, which included not counting spelling on in-class work.

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Matthew loved Avivah so much, we ended up doing an additional, “optional” year of remediation, followed by a year of academic support to help him with organization and time management.

In addition to being an excellent tutor, Miss Avivah has given us invaluable advice, guiding us through the world of dyslexia, ADHD and school accommodations. In fact, she recently contacted us with advice regarding preparation for college accommodations even though it’s been two years since Matthew was a client. That’s service above and beyond, but that’s Avivah. She truly cares for all her charges.

Avivah has been a wonderful influence on Matthew’s life and has become of true friend of mine. I recommend her without reservation for remediation and as a delightful, positive person.

I would happily be available for anyone considering hiring Avivah, for a discussion either in person or on the phone. 

Colorado Springs, CO

My time with Miss Avivah was truly invaluable as she helped me become a better reader, writer, and student of the English language. She not only taught me about words and their structure but made it enjoyable the entire time. Without her assistance, my comprehension of grammar, spelling, and other English related topics would be severely lacking. I am truly thankful for all the time I spent working with Miss Avivah and would recommend her to anyone struggling with English.

Rochester, New York

Our son’s referral to Avivah was a godsend after several difficult years in elementary school. Connor struggled with reading and writing, spending endless hours on homework each night. With Avivah’s expertise and tutoring, Connor overcame the challenges he faced due to his dyslexia. Avivah guided us through the education process for students identified with a disability and today, Connor is completing a graduate degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester in NY.  Avivah has been there through the years (long after tutoring ended) to provide much needed and valuable advice as we navigated through the disability process following high school. We cannot thank her enough!

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Colorado Springs

Our son was diagnosed with severe dyslexia at age 7, and within 2 years, Avivah had him reading level 1 and 2 books.  But Avivah is so much more than a remarkable tutor; she’s an invaluable resource and caring partner.  Avivah has a wealth of knowledge about the local schools and a vast network of parents willing to talk about their experiences.  Avivah was instrumental in helping us find a diagnosing physician as well as the best school match for our son.  Avivah also cares about her students, monitoring their self-esteem, marking milestones with meaningful rewards, and communicating with schools about her students’ needs.  Avivah is responsive and flexible about scheduling, and not pushy with opinions.  Avivah makes her families feel like they are not alone in this process.  We are so grateful for Avivah.

Colorado Springs

Our daughter has been in private tutoring with Avivah for approximately 2 years. In that time, our child's reading fluency and comprehension have improved significantly, in addition to her writing and spelling skills. Not only have our daughter's academic needs been met by Avivah, but her self-confidence has increased, and she feels like a more competent student. Avivah has a very thorough and well-trained approach to dyslexia remediation and a personal rapport that children engage with easily.  She is an excellent advocate for our daughter on many levels and has a fundamental love for children and watching them flourish, both academically and emotionally. 

Colorado Springs

Avivah Polmer is the best individual I could have selected to help my daughters with dyslexia remediation. She is extremely competent, very organized and methodical in her technique, and above all, only wants what is in the best interests of my children. Avivah truly knows my daughters as individuals and my trust in her is beyond measure. 

Colorado Springs

Avivah, I don’t know if I could ever thank you enough for your help and knowledge. Learning of the journey Taylor and I had ahead of us was scary and familiar to me. I would say it brought me back to all my school days and how I struggled. I feared and kinda still do, of what lies ahead for her. I made one call to you, and you took Taylor under your wings and see in her all her strengths. Thank you for guiding her and being excited to help Taylor on this journey. My head in running a mile a minute, and your kindness is always in it. Thank you!

Colorado Springs

During my early elementary school years, I was really struggling with learning to read, write and spell. I found out that I was dyslexic during the summer after my second grade year. I began working with Miss Avivah that summer and finally began to actually read! After two years of her tutoring, I was reading at grade level. Miss Avivah not only helped me to achieve my reading goals, but she also showed me that my dyslexia diagnosis did not mean that I was stupid. Her niceness and support definitely helped build my confidence in my abilities to succeed in school. 

Colorado Springs

Miss Avivah is the best! I have been tutoring with her for two years now, and even though I still have a lot of work to do, I have made a lot of progress in my reading. I really like how she works with the level I’m at, instead of expecting me to do tasks that are either too hard or too easy. She is so nice and fair. When I mess up on a word, she helps me figure out how to read it without just giving me the answer. The best part about tutoring visits are the small breaks that I get to play with her new puppy, Noce!