Jennifer Lynn Hoffman

Founder and Director - Certified Barton Tutor

I’m certain that the first thing you will want to know is how I can help your child.  Every child is unique.  No two children have the same likes, dislikes, needs, or wants.

My primary goal is close your child’s reading gap, improve their spelling, boost their confidence, and help them recognize their strengths.

My credentials

• Certified in the Barton Reading & Spelling System
• Over 15 years experience teaching Handwriting Without Tears
• Trained Online Barton tutor
• Trained in Lindamood-Bell LiPS program
• Member of the International Dyslexia Association
• NYS certified teacher
• Master’s of Education in Elementary Education
• Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education
• Over 25 years of teaching experience

My experience working with my own dyslexic children

My son and one of my three daughters live with dyslexia. My son was a phenomenal Lego builder. In addition, he is the best artist of all his siblings. Yet, he struggled with reading and writing. His spelling was terrible. Figuring out left and right completely confused him. Remembering a sequence of events or tasks left him very bewildered. I constantly had to repeat myself and my directions to him.

My daughter was active and athletic at a very young age, but she couldn’t read until almost the beginning of second grade. And even then, she read mostly from words she memorized. Phonics was an impossible struggle for her. She also had atrocious spelling. She dealt with the same left and right confusion and remembering a sequence as her brother.

I began using All About Spelling in our homeschool which is an Orton-Gillingham based spelling program created by Marie Rippel. This gave my children the multisensory and sequential method that they needed to learn to spell. If I had known more at the time, I would have probably invested in the Barton Reading and Spelling System for them.

The good news is that my daughter is now taking advanced English 4 as an 11th grader. She still struggles on occasion, but she never became discouraged with learning. My son has achieved success in a very academically rigorous position in the US Navy.

Children with dyslexia can and do go on to very successful careers.

I want all children to reach their fullest potential as my children have. It is my passion to help as many people as possible overcome their reading, writing, and spelling struggles. Contact me, and let me know how I can help you and your child.

Contact Jennifer

Deb Cullen

Assistant Director - Certified Barton Tutor

Michelle McDowell

Reading Therapist

Michelle completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Buffalo State College. She has home schooled her children for over 15 years.

She has also taught pre-school through high school aged students in various settings.

She appreciates many aspects of working at Western New York Dyslexia Specialists. It’s a great center to work at because the center uses the Barton Reading and Spelling System and Foundation in Sounds. Both programs are thorough and engaging. She loves using all the games to review concepts and solidify lessons. The staff is knowledgeable and supportive.

Training videos and Facebook live feeds from Susan Barton provide new strategies for tutors to use with their students. Michelle is most excited about helping students close their reading gap and become more proficient writers and spellers, too.

Rebekah (Beck) MacLeod

Reading Therapist

I came to live in US 14 years ago from Great Britain after exchanging my career in Podiatry/Kinesthetics (from the University of Brighton) for the wonderful adventure of raising two children and exploring America!

Homeschooling a child with learning differences has helped me understand the value of giving people the information and tools they need to succeed and reach their potential. I look forward to helping students grow in reading and spelling agility in the fun and stress free environment of WNY Dyslexia Specialists!

Alissa Snyder

Reading Therapist

Hello! My name is Alissa Snyder and I am so excited to be a new tutor here. I am a certified elementary teacher with a lot of my experience in special education. I moved to the Amherst area a year ago and I have greatly enjoyed my time. I look forward to working with everyone here.

Pam Sacco

Reading Therapist

My name is Pam Sacco. I am a Speech Language Pathologist and work with children birth to 5 years of age. I love the diversity in the students at WNY Dyslexia Specialists! I am married and have 2 children, Gillian who is in her 3 rd year of Pharmacy studies at D’Youville College and Giavanna who is a junior in high school. I love to read and travel.

Felicia DeLibero

Reading Therapist/Digital Project Manager

I am the new Digital Project Manager and a Reading Therapist for WNY Dyslexia Specialists. I am a recent graduate of Buffalo State College where I got my M.A. degree in English Literature. I love to read poetry and write about film. Ask me about the love of my life: my mini dachshund Petra Peanut Butter! I look forward to working with students and closely working beside Jennifer Hoffman, our visionary, on new and special projects.

Karen Weaver

Administrative Assistant

I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree at Buffalo State College, with a high concentration in Secondary English Education. I also earned my Associates in Social Sciences, at Erie Community College.

I have a variety of experience, including: Retail Management, Customer Service and Sales. One of my most recent positions was for a community newspaper group, where I specialized in coordinating advertising and promotional campaigns for local businesses throughout Western New York (along with a few national ones). However, *local community organizations, educational facilities and family-centered businesses were my primary focus.

I have been involved in community volunteer work most of my life, including volunteering as a Teacher’s Aide for the West Seneca School District’s Special Education Summer School.

I enjoy assisting all of our families and students at WNY Dyslexia Specialists and I truly believe in our mission here, to ensure that every child is given the best tools and encouragement possible to confidently succeed in every aspect of life, both academically and individually.

Ken Hoffman

Payroll Manager

Ken is the Payroll Manager for WNY Dyslexia Specialists.  As the husband to Founder and Director, Jennifer Lynn Hoffman, Ken has been involved with WNY Dyslexia Specialists from the beginning, wearing many hats.  Ken supports the team with computer issues, is the webmaster, and now Payroll Manager helping lead the charge into the next phase of the history of WNY Dyslexia Specialists. 

Ken enjoys traveling with Jennifer, and meeting new and old friends for get-togethers. 

Ken is very excited to further enhance WNY Dyslexia Specialists, and supports Jennifer and the team as they become leaders in the dyslexia community!

Mason Gaugler

IT Intern

Hiya! I’m Mason Gaugler and I am the IT Intern from West Seneca West Senior. I’m in 12th grade and will graduate from the Academy of Digital Media this year, where I take courses focusing on all things computers and software, and afterwards I plan to go to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to major in Computer Science. I have a small YouTube channel where I work on my video editing skills, and I like attending cosplay conventions with friends to do photoshoots. I’d like to thank everyone at WNY Dyslexia Specialists for this awesome learning experience during my internship.