Nan Troutman, M.Ed. Reading Specialist
Developing Mastery | Inspiring Learners
Restoring Confidence
About Nan & the Orton-Gillingham Approach
Meet Nan Troutman
Why the Name Ortho-Gillingham?
About Orton-Gillingham
Nan Troutman is a certified member of The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). She obtained her certification through The Schenck School in Atlanta, Georgia and the Kildonan School in Amenia, New York, both Orton-Gillingham accredited programs.
Nan has been tutoring children in a 1:1 setting since 2003. Within
Nan Troutman is a certified member of The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). She obtained her certification through The Schenck School in Atlanta, Georgia and the Kildonan School in Amenia, New York, both Orton-Gillingham accredited programs.
Nan has been tutoring children in a 1:1 setting since 2003. Within that time, Nan has provided over 16,000 hours of Orton-Gillingham instruction. Nan is currently working to obtain the certification level of Fellow. As part of the practicum for the Fellow designation, Nan provides teacher training classes in the OG Language Approach to classroom educators. Nan teaches these courses congruently with an Academy accredited Fellow.
In order to remain current with the latest research in her field, Nan regularly attends state and international conferences held by The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE) and the International Dyslexia Association.
Nan is a Certified Instructor of AOGPE and is currently working towards her Fellow Certification. Nan has a Masters of Education from Georgia State University. Nan has a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University. Nan also holds certification as a Dyslexia Therapist from the International Dyslexia Association. Nan is a past Board member of the International Dyslexia Association, Georgia Branch.
Nan lives in Newnan, Georgia with her husband and has two grown daughters. Nan's personal experience with her daughter, who was diagnosed with Dyslexia in elementary school, led to a career defining passion for helping students succeed in the classroom and in life.
About Orton-Gillingham
Why the Name Ortho-Gillingham?
About Orton-Gillingham
Orton-Gillingham (OG) is an instructional approach intended for students experiencing difficulty reading, spelling, and writing.
The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators was established and authorized to set and maintain professional and ethical standards for the practice of the Orton-Gillingham Approach and to certify
Orton-Gillingham (OG) is an instructional approach intended for students experiencing difficulty reading, spelling, and writing.
The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators was established and authorized to set and maintain professional and ethical standards for the practice of the Orton-Gillingham Approach and to certify teachers and to accredit instructional programs that meet these standards. The Academy is incorporated by the New York State Education Law, 1995.
Orton-Gillingham is a language-based, multisensory, cognitive, structured, sequential, and flexible approach that has been time-tested for over 90 years and validated by data-based research. The approach fosters the integrative practice of reading, writing, and spelling through developed mastery of syllabic, morphemic, syntactic, semantic, and grammatical structures.
Orton-Gillingham operates on a fundamental understanding that students' perceptions about themselves and about learning are vital—instruction is directed toward building
the experience of success!
Why the Name Ortho-Gillingham?
Why the Name Ortho-Gillingham?
Why the Name Ortho-Gillingham?
Orton-Gillingham is named after Samuel T. Orton and Anna Gillingham. Sam Orton was a neuropathologist at New York Neurological Institute. In the mid 1920's, Orton identified the syndrome of developmental reading disability (dyslexia) and delved into researching how spelling, handwriting, and phonological weaknesses obstruct the reading ap
Orton-Gillingham is named after Samuel T. Orton and Anna Gillingham. Sam Orton was a neuropathologist at New York Neurological Institute. In the mid 1920's, Orton identified the syndrome of developmental reading disability (dyslexia) and delved into researching how spelling, handwriting, and phonological weaknesses obstruct the reading aptitude of an individual. Anna Gillingham, a psychologist and educator, worked with the Neurological Institute to develop teaching techniques for dyslexia and to help pinpoint early identification and prevention of developmental language disabilities. Gillingham developed a remedial approach called the alphabetic method which became the foundation of what is now known as the Orton-Gillingham language approach. These two individuals were pioneers in the field of researching language differences and how to help those individuals who are affected by them.
Research in the field of dyslexia continues today with much momentum. In 2003, Dr. Sally Shaywitz, a neuroscientist, Professor of Pediatrics at Yale, authored Overcoming Dyslexia. This book focuses on how parents and teachers of children with reading difficulties can help their child/student become a successful reader. Dr. Shaywitz emphasizes that a research-based language approach like Orton-Gillingham is effective in teaching students to read because it provides, "systematic, explicit instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics, and then teaches children how to apply this knowledge to reading and writing."
Testimonials
"Miss Nan, I think about you every time I have a hard word to decode. I use the syllable division rules that you taught me. None of this would have been possible without your help."
- Darius Mattox, The Howard School, Class of 2013, after being inducted into the National Honor Society and receiving the English award for dedication and development of the writing process at the 2012 Howard School Awards Day. Darius was praised for his imaginative mind and persuasive voice that compels the reader to continue further.
"Nan was recommended to us by my son's former guidance counselor, whose own child had success working with Nan. Our son used to avoid anything to do with reading- now he eagerly volunteers to read out loud in class. Nan's approach and Orton-Gillingham absolutely work miracles. Our son went from struggling with his reading and being below grade level to receiving the award for most improved academic performance for his entire grade and earning excellent scores on the CRCT! Nan is a complete educator - mentor, tutor, cheerleader, therapist, coach, and friend. Working with Nan has been the best educational decision we have made concerning our son and I would recommend her teaching to any parent whose child is struggling with dyslexia."
Mellisa Harper, mother of 5th grader, Fulton County
"Nan has brought my daughter up many grade levels in reading. She has given her confidence that she didn't have before. Nan gives students the skills they need to become independent readers."
- Bobby Braun, parent, Professor of Aerospace, Georgia Institute of Technology; NASA Chief Technologist, retired.
"It was so frustrating for me to see my smart child struggle with written words and not know how to help him. The labeling of 'immature,' 'wait a year,' 'let's hold him back,' was hard to comprehend when he was doing well in other areas. After a few short months of tutoring…things started to click for my son...his attitude and confidence were coming back. For my son, reading and spelling were not automatic and it didn't happen overnight, but dedication and perseverance both by Nan and my son has changed his life forever. His future has endless possibilities because he can now read the written word. Thank you, Nan. What you did for my son changed his life course!"
- Mother of JC, an eighth grader from Harris County
"Nan Troutman is a brilliant and passionate educator. She infuses her lessons with history and games. The words that were a struggle to decode become exciting mysteries to explore and dissect. My son and I consider her a magician!"
- Margaret Sanders, parent, Restauranteur
"Austin's SAFE essay won! He had to read it in front of all the 5th grade classes and parents! He did super! No way possible he could have done this without you! There are no words to express my gratitude! You are the best!"
-Lynn Anderson, Physical therapist in Coweta County
References available upon request.