About Us

Shari Kudsia | Author

Shari Kudsia has over two decades of experience as an elementary school teacher in Ontario, spanning both the Primary and Junior Divisions. Also trained in Reading Recovery, Shari recognized that many of her students struggled to learn to read utilizing this program. Seeking solutions, she trained under Liisa Freure from Fundamental Learning, delving into Orton-Gillingham and Structured Word Inquiry.

Shari holds official certification from the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners & Educators (AOGPE) at both the Classroom Educator and Associate levels. She has facilitated Top Ten Tools and the Basics of Decoding and Spelling for the International Dyslexia Association and is a current board member of this incredible charity. Over the past five years, she has integrated Structured Literacy methodologies based on the Science of Reading research into her primary classrooms, seeing profound improvements in the learning journeys of all her students, not only those who often tend to struggle.

Viewing herself as an eternal learner, Shari acknowledges that her understanding will continually evolve. Consequently, she remains dedicated to constantly refining and enhancing this guide.

Acknowledgements:

Shari was profoundly influenced by her exceptional Orton-Gillingham trainer, Liisa Freure of Fundamental Learning, who instilled a deep appreciation for linguistics. She is continuously gaining knowledge from her guidance. 

She finds constant inspiration in the Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) Community, particularly in the realm of morphology. She extends her gratitude to Rebecca Loveless, Peter Bowers, Marie Foley, and Michel Rameau of Real Spelling. Their invaluable classes and resources have left an indelible mark, and she sincerely appreciates all they have shared. 

Sue Hegland, the author of Beneath the Surface of Words, has created an outstanding resource that has significantly deepened Shari’s comprehension of morphology. 

Lastly, Shari would like to thank her OG/SWI colleagues Mara Hockenhull, Helen Maclean, and Lee-Ann Lear, who keep her on her linguistic toes and are always willing to geek out with words!