Empowering Students Through Personalized Learning
The Literacy and Learning Collaborative is a professional intervention service offering individualized and personalized instruction for dyslexic students, coaching, teacher training, and parent support. Our mission is to empower students with learning differences to unlock their full potential through personalized learning experiences. With a focus on building practical skills, critical thinking, and confidence, we are dedicated to guiding students towards academic and personal success.
Meet Karen
Karen Cavallaro
Karen was born and raised in Reno and has dedicated more than 18 years to helping students with dyslexia and related learning differences thrive. Her journey began out of necessity when her son was diagnosed with dyslexia and she discovered the limited resources available in the Reno area. Determined to make a difference, she completed Orton-Gillingham (OG) training in 2008 and, through word of mouth, became one of the first dyslexia tutors in Northern Nevada.
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Over the past 18 years, Karen has continually expanded her expertise to provide the most current, research-based instruction for her students. She has completed more than 300 hours of advanced study in Structured Word Inquiry after recognizing that many students struggled with the heavy working-memory demands of traditional OG instruction. Through her deep understanding of the Science of Reading, how the brain learns to read, and the structure of the English language, she creates highly individualized instruction tailored to each child’s unique learning profile—far beyond what any boxed program can provide.
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Many of Karen’s students also have ADHD diagnoses, and her compassion for these children and their families naturally led her into coaching. By helping families implement effective strategies, systems, and supports, she has seen meaningful improvements in both students’ confidence and overall family dynamics.
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Karen has also been a strong advocate for dyslexia awareness and literacy education throughout Nevada. Through her work with Decoding Dyslexia Nevada, she has spent countless hours supporting families, educating teachers, and collaborating with local schools. She has provided training in dyslexia intervention strategies and the Science of Reading, helping educators transform literacy instruction and positively impact entire school communities.
