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Meet Melissa

Educational Therapist/Professional

  • Masters Degrees in Special Education and Elementary Eduction
  • Certified Reading & Language Arts Specialist, 6th-Year Degree 
  • Certified Executive Function Coach
  • ADHD Certified Educator

Melissa has over 20 years of experience in education. She is an Educational Therapist/Professional (ET/P), Special Education teacher, certified Executive Function Coach, and Reading and Language Arts Specialist. Her diverse expertise allows her to support both neurodiverse and neurotypical learners in becoming confident, independent students.

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Melissa has worked extensively with students facing challenges such as ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, executive function difficulties, and other learning differences. She is trained in evidence-based Structured Literacy approaches, including Orton-Gillingham and the Wilson Reading System.

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As an Educational Therapist, Melissa collaborates with families, teachers, and professionals to address students’ academic, emotional, behavioral, and executive functioning needs, always focusing on the whole child.

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She holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Emory University and a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Saint Joseph. Melissa graduated Summa Cum Laude from Sacred Heart University, where she received the Gold Medal of Excellence with her Reading and Language Arts Specialist certification.​​​

Melissa’s work with neurodiverse and neurotypical students underscored the critical role of executive functioning in learning, inspiring her to become a certified Executive Function Coach. 

 

As an Educational Therapist/Professional Melissa supports PreK–12 students by tailoring strategies to their strengths while addressing areas of need.

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Outside of work, Melissa enjoys time with her three grown children and two Australian Labradoodles, exploring new places, dancing to music, and capturing memories through photography.

Reading specialist tutor lower Fairfield County Melissa Ettinger
CERTIFICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS

  • Association of Educational Therapists (ET/P)

  • ADHD-Certified Educator Certification

  • International Dyslexia Association Service Provider

  • Wilson Certified Level 1

  • Orton-Gillingham 

  • SPIRE Reading 

  • CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) 

  • International Literacy Association

  • Council For Exceptional Children

  • National Teachers Association

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A note about the soft green color at the bottom of each page of my website: I chose this shade of green, celadon, because it reflects the core values I aim to prioritize in student learning: growth, balance, and peace. This calming shade of green symbolizes the steady growth students make, the emotional and academic balance we strive for, and the peaceful, supportive environment essential for student engagement and meaningful learning.

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