Today we’d like to introduce you to Leanne Cooper.
Hi Leanne, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been an educator for almost 20 years, and 16 of those years were spent teaching Kindergarten, including 8 years in Fort Mill. During my time in the classroom, I became very passionate about helping students who were struggling to learn to read, especially the students who were working hard but still not making the progress they should have been making.
As I worked with more students, I realized I wanted to better understand why some children struggle with reading and how to truly target the root of the difficulty instead of just giving more practice. That led me to continue my training in structured literacy, dyslexia intervention, and evidence based reading instruction. Over the years, I’ve trained in Orton Gillingham, Reading Recovery, LETRS, morphology, and I’m currently completing my EBLI (Evidence Based Literacy Instruction) certification.
I started tutoring because I wanted the flexibility to provide more individualized instruction than is often possible in a traditional classroom setting. I wanted to be able to slow down, dig deeper into a student’s needs, and create instruction that was truly targeted to that child. What started as a small tutoring practice quickly grew through word of mouth from families, teachers, and the local community.
Today, I own Cooper Tutoring & Student Help LLC in Fort Mill, where I provide literacy and math intervention services for students with a wide range of learning needs. I specialize in structured literacy, dyslexia support, and foundational skill development. One of the things I value most is helping families understand their child’s specific strengths and areas of need so we can build a clear path forward together.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned throughout this journey is that there is no one size fits all approach to learning. Every child learns differently, and sometimes students simply need instruction presented in a different way. Seeing students gain confidence and begin to believe in themselves again is one of the most rewarding parts of the work I do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Transitioning from classroom teaching into running a business full time was a huge adjustment. In education, there is a very clear structure and schedule. Running a tutoring business means you are responsible for everything, instruction, scheduling, communication with families, finances, marketing, planning, and continuing your own professional development all at the same time.
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing growth while still keeping the individualized approach that is so important to me. I never wanted students to feel like they were just another session on a schedule. A lot of the students we work with have already experienced frustration or a loss of confidence in school, so building trust with both students and families matters a lot.
Another challenge has been helping families understand the difference between generalized tutoring and targeted intervention. Many students come to us after struggling for years, and often there is an underlying skill gap that has not been identified yet. Part of my role is helping families understand why getting to the root of the difficulty is so important in helping students make meaningful progress.
As the business has grown, I’ve also had to learn how to set boundaries and create systems while still maintaining the personal relationships that helped grow the business in the first place. That has probably been one of the biggest learning experiences for me.
Even with the challenges, I truly believe in the purpose behind this work. Watching students gain confidence, begin reading successfully, or realize they are capable after struggling for a long time makes the difficult days worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Cooper Tutoring & Student Help LLC, I provide individualized literacy and math intervention services for students with a wide range of learning needs. I specialize in structured literacy, dyslexia support, foundational skill development, and targeted intervention based on diagnostic information rather than using a one size fits all approach.
A big part of my work is figuring out why a student is struggling in the first place. Many of the students I work with have already spent years frustrated or have tried multiple programs and supports before coming to me. I believe it is important to identify the underlying skill gaps so instruction can be targeted specifically to that child instead of just giving more practice and hoping something eventually clicks.
My instruction is grounded in the Science of Reading and evidence based practices, including Orton Gillingham and EBLI (Evidence Based Literacy Instruction), along with targeted math intervention strategies. I also place a strong emphasis on ongoing progress monitoring and adjusting instruction based on how the student responds because no two students learn exactly the same way.
One thing that really sets my practice apart is the focus on individualized diagnostic screening before tutoring begins. I do not believe students should automatically be placed into a preset program without first understanding their strengths and areas for focus. Every child learns differently, and I believe instruction should reflect that.
I’m especially proud of the relationships I’ve built with families and the local community. Much of the business has grown through word of mouth from families, teachers, and other professionals who have seen the growth students are making both academically and in their confidence.
The most rewarding part of this work is seeing students begin to believe in themselves again. Academic growth is incredibly important, but watching a child go from frustrated and discouraged to confident and engaged in learning is what continues to motivate me every day.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
One piece of advice I would give to anyone starting out is to focus on relationships and quality before worrying about growing quickly. Families want to know that you genuinely care about their child, communicate well, and are providing support that actually meets their child’s needs. A lot of my growth has come through word of mouth from families, teachers, and other professionals who have seen the progress students are making.
I also think it is important to continue learning and growing in your field. Education is always evolving, and some of the biggest shifts in my own practice came from additional training, collaboration with other professionals, and being willing to reflect and adjust my approach when needed. The more I learned about structured literacy, dyslexia, and evidence based intervention, the more I realized how important it is to truly understand the root cause of a student’s struggles instead of relying on a one size fits all approach.
One thing I probably underestimated early on was how much goes into running a business outside of the actual teaching. You are not just providing instruction, you are also managing scheduling, communication, systems, finances, marketing, and trying to balance all of that while still showing up fully for students and families. It can be very easy to overextend yourself, especially when you care deeply about the work.
I also think it is important to believe in yourself and in the purpose behind what you are building. There will absolutely be moments where things feel overwhelming or where you question whether you are doing enough. Growth is not always a straight line, and building something meaningful takes time. Staying grounded in why you started and believing in the impact of your work helps you push through those harder seasons.
For me, everything always comes back to helping students build confidence and experience success in learning. Watching students who once felt frustrated or defeated begin to realize they are capable is still the most rewarding part of what I do.
Pricing:
- Skills-Based Tutoring Sessions starting at $50
- Orton-Gillingham Reading Sessions starting at $90
- EBLI Reading Sessions starting at $85
- Literacy Launch Assessment $400
- Math Launch Assessment $400
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.coopertutoring.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cooper_tutoring_sc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CqT8J9TeE/
