About Us
The Elle Center is dedicated to advancing the education of students in literacy and numeracy through the application of evidence-based practices and the latest academic research. Our mission is to provide targeted, individualized instruction that supports each student's unique learning needs and fosters measurable growth.
History
The Elle Center's story began at the nearby Valley View Bible Church, where founder Kathy Denious first started offering one-on-one instruction to students. For over a decade, Kathy dedicated herself to helping children excel in literacy and numeracy, using evidence-based practices and the latest research. The progress of these students was remarkable, with many achieving significant academic gains.
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As the number of students seeking Kathy's expertise grew, so did the need for a larger space to accommodate and support their educational journeys. The opportunity to expand came when the historic Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix offered a new, larger location for The Elle Center. This move not only allowed for more students to benefit from personalized instruction but also placed the center in a beautiful setting amidst the serene Arizona desert.
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Today, The Elle Center continues its mission to provide exceptional, individualized education to students, fostering a love for learning and helping each child reach their full potential. The rich history and tranquil environment of its new location inspire both students and educators, making it a perfect place for academic growth and success.
Our Team
Kathy Denious, M.Ed., C-SLCT
Founder of The Elle Center
Kathy Denious, M.Ed., is the founder of The Elle Center, a language and literacy center that provides individualized instruction for students of all ages. Kathy has over 10 years of experience in evidence-based instruction and holds a Master of Education from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Purdue University. She is also certified as a Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher and in the Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading by The Center for Effective Reading Instruction. Kathy's approach, grounded in evidence-based practices and the latest research, has consistently led to remarkable student progress.
Genny Patubo, B.A., C-SLCT
Language and Literacy Interventionist
With more than a decade of experience as an educator, Genny Patubo has a proven track record of developing and implementing evidence-based curricula that enhance student learning. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and certifications in Structured Literacy Classroom Teaching and the Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading from The Center for Effective Reading Instruction. She has worked in various educational settings, including public schools, private institutions, and online learning platforms, where she has contributed to the advancement of literacy and numeracy education. Genny is a data-driven educator who can tailor her teaching materials to the diverse needs of each learner.
Alicia Messing, M.Ed.
Learning Support Teacher, Literacy Coach and Math Specialist
Alicia Messing has almost 30 years of teaching experience in public, private and international schools. She has a proven track record of implementing programs that effectively close educational gaps. With a post-baccalaureate in Special Education from ASU and a master’s degree from NAU she has complimented her professional development by completing many professional development opportunities including the CEESA Literacy Coaching Cohort and a Math Specialist in International Schools. She also has been trained in the OG program MRS (Multi-Sensory Reading and Spelling) and Lindamood Bell's V&V (Visualizing and Verbalizing).
Our Approach
Evidence-based Practices
Cognitive science and neuroscience have advanced in understanding how people read well, how they learn to read, how the brain supports reading, what causes reading difficulties in children and how to help them overcome those difficulties. The Elle Center is committed to using practices that are proven by research to provide outstanding education with data-informed decisions. Our instructional practices are based on the most recent research from leading experts.
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We integrate these evidence-based practices into our daily sessions to ensure every student receives instruction that is explicit, systematic, multisensory, and data-driven to enhance the necessary skills for literacy and numeracy.
Partners & Affiliations
Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI)
We partner with the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) to ensure our educators are equipped with the knowledge and practices necessary to teach reading effectively. CERI's certification programs are designed to validate that teachers possess the skills and knowledge required to implement evidence-based reading instruction, ultimately improving reading outcomes by promoting the use of scientifically validated instructional practices.
The Reading League
We partner with The Reading League to ensure our educators are well-versed in the science of reading and evidence-based instruction. Their dedication to scientific literacy instruction supports our commitment to providing every child with the opportunity to become a proficient reader. Through resources and professional development, The Reading League empowers our educators to implement scientifically validated methods of reading instruction, maximizing the effectiveness of our teaching practices.
PaTTAN
We partner with PaTTAN for comprehensive professional development and technical assistance designed to enhance student outcomes. Recognizing the diverse needs of educators and schools, PaTTAN provides a variety of support options, including week-long summer institutes, ongoing professional development series, webinars, on-site assistance, and individualized support for students and teachers.
Arizona Department of Education (ADE)
We partner with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), the state agency responsible for overseeing public education from kindergarten to secondary school, to ensure our specialists are licensed and certified according to state standards. This partnership guarantees that our team meets the highest qualifications and remains up to date with the latest educational requirements and practices in Arizona, aligning our services with the ADE's mission to empower every student to succeed in college, career, and life.
International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
We partner with the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), a non-profit organization that focuses on the study and treatment of dyslexia and related reading difficulties. We benefit from their wealth of resources, research, and training for educators and parents to better understand and support individuals with dyslexia. We share their mission to advocate for the use of Structured Literacy, which is an explicit, systematic, and multisensory approach to reading instruction that is beneficial for all learners, particularly those with dyslexia.
Acadience Learning
We partner with Acadience Learning, a leader in educational research and assessment, to ensure our practices align with the latest research-based insights and effective instructional strategies. This collaboration empowers our educators with innovative assessment solutions, practical educational tools, and comprehensive professional development opportunities, ultimately enhancing student learning outcomes and fostering a data-driven approach to instruction.
Amplify
