Now accepting ESA funds through ClassWallet — approved Arizona vendor!
Insights for Learning.
At Edvanced Assessments, families and schools partner to better understand each child's unique strengths and challenges. Bilingual psychoeducational evaluations are provided to identify learning needs and guide meaningful support through collaborations with school districts in both California and Arizona. Private psychoeducational evaluations are also available in California.
Support for Reading.
The The Literacy Nook offers individualized, evidence-based reading instruction rooted in structured literacy practices. Whether a child is struggling with reading or has a diagnosis like dyslexia, this is a warm, supportive space to build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of reading.
Confidence for Life.
Our mission
At Edvanced Assessments and The Literacy Nook, our mission is to empower students to become confident, capable learners through thoughtful assessments and personalized reading support.
We provide private, one-on-one reading intervention—rooted in structured literacy—for both dyslexic and struggling readers across Arizona and California. For families in California, we also offer comprehensive psychoeducational assessments to better understand each child's unique learning profile.
Whether through targeted instruction or in-depth evaluation, we're here to support families on their journey towards clarity, growth, and educational success.
- Remote Friendly, HIPPA Compliant
- Virtual Tutoring & Assessments
- 85% of ELs in Arizona are Latino (2020)
- English / Spanish
- Tailored Bilingual Assessments and Reading Instruction
- Arizona & California
Services
Personalized Services. Real Results.
Our evidence-based literacy instruction and bilingual assessments are designed for families and institutions—backed by research, delivered with care, and trusted to make a difference.
Psychoeducational Assessments
Through Edvanced Assessments, we partner with school districts in California and Arizona to deliver comprehensive bilingual evaluations for students from Preschool through High School.
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Specializing in bilingual psychoeducational evaluations
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Reports available in English and Spanish
- Collaborations with public and charter school districts
- Assessments include cognitive, academic, processing, and social-emotional measures
Reading Intervention Services
Now operating as The Literacy Nook, we provide structured literacy tutoring to support both dyslexic and non-dyslexic students in reaching their full reading potential.
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Individualized reading instruction based on the science of reading
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Programs include Orton-Gillingham (IMSE OG+) and the Barton Reading & Spelling System
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Available remotely or in person (in select areas)
- Remote Services provided through Whizzimo
- Serving students in grades K-8
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Progress monitoring and family communication
- ESA-eligible services (yes, we accept ESA payments)
- Minimum of 2 session for 50 minutes each per week
Reading Programs
The following is a brief description of the reading and spelling programs used:
IMSE Orton-Gillingham (OG+)
The IMSE Orton-Gillingham Plus approach is a structured literacy program grounded in the science of reading. It uses a multi-sensory, explicit, and systematic method to teach phonics, reading, and spelling. This approach is ideal for beginning readers and those with reading difficulties, as it incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities to reinforce learning in a way that sticks.
Barton Reading & Spelling System
The Barton System is an intensive, step-by-step tutoring program specifically designed for children with dyslexia. It is based on the Orton-Gillingham method and is highly structured, making it easy for students to follow. Each level builds on the previous one, helping students master reading and spelling skills with confidence. It is especially effective when delivered in one-on-one settings and has a strong success record for students with significant reading challenges.
Testimonials
We have worked with hundreds of amazing kids
“As someone who has been working as a counselor and administrator in high schools for over 30 years, Ms. Castellanos is absolutely the best school psychologist I have worked with.”
“Trustworthy, caring, highly organized, and dependable.”
“Many staff members, as well as students have come to me on several occasions to express how much of a positive impact Anna has had on their lives.”
“Her bilingual abilities alone are outstanding and offer a level of cultural competence that is highly valued and well regarded throughout our school district.”
“… coordinated support for classroom teachers, provided them with direct support and recommendations … always thought ahead about what could be done next.”
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About Me
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Anna Castellanos, LEP #3836
MS School Psychology, Certified & Credentialed (AZ, CA)
As a Salvadoran-American who grew up in California and now resides in Arizona, I bring nearly two decades of experience in education and school psychology to my work with students and families. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Business from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Master of Science in School Psychology with a Pupil Personnel Services (P.P.S.) Credential from the University of La Verne.
Since 2012, I've worked as an Independent Contractor supporting school districts across Northern and Southern California, with a specialization in assessing English Language Learners (ELLs). My expertise spans preschool through high school, and includes participation on district crisis response teams.
I'm credentialed in both Arizona and California, and hold a license as a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP #3836) in California.
My structured literacy tutoring practice is designed to support both dyslexic and struggling readers. I have completed intensive training in Orton-Gillingham (IMSE OG+) and the Barton Reading & Spelling System, and I deliver lessons using engaging, research-based, multisensory tools like Whizzimo. Whether meeting remotely or in person, my goal is to make learning effective, fun, and confidence-building. Additionally, I am an approved ESA vendor in Arizona, allowing families to use Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds toward eligible tutoring services.
Anna is also the published author of Salvi Niños, a bilingual children's book
celebrating Salvadoran culture and language.
Frequently asked questions
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Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects a person's ability to read, spell, write, and sometimes speak. It is not a reflection of intelligence or effort. In fact, many individuals with dyslexia are highly intelligent and creative. Dyslexia primarily impacts the way the brain processes written and spoken language, making it difficult to match letters to sounds, decode words, and achieve reading fluency.
Common signs of dyslexia may include:
- Difficulty with phonemic awareness (identifying and manipulating individual sounds in words)
- Struggles with spelling and writing
- Slow or inaccurate reading
- Avoidance of reading aloud
- Difficulty remembering sight words
Early identification and structured intervention are key to helping children with dyslexia thrive academically and emotionally.
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Two Orton-Gillingham-based structured literacy programs are used:
- IMSE Orton-Gillingham Plus (OG+): A flexible, multi-sensory phonics and reading program based on the Science of Reading. It's ideal for students with mild to moderate reading difficulties and allows for customization based on student needs.
- Barton Reading & Spelling System: A highly structured, scripted program specifically designed for students with dyslexia or significant reading and spelling challenges. It progresses through a clear scope and sequence with built-in mastery checks.
Every student is different, and we'll determine which program best fits your child's learning profile after initial assessments and observations.
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Structured literacy programs are most effective when instruction is systematic, cumulative, and consistent. Two sessions per week:
- Reinforce new concepts before they're forgotten
- Build momentum and confidence
- Reduce the chance of regression
- Support long-term mastery of phonics and spelling rules
Less frequent instruction may slow down your child's progress and can make it harder to retain new skills.
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I work with students from Kindergarten through middle school, including early learners, struggling readers, and students with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences. I also work with adults.
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- For remote sessions, a parent only needs to stay if the child requires help with technology.
- For in-person sessions, parents are welcome to stay in the room in a quiet, background role. Siblings should not attend the session unless previously discussed.
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Yes — I offer progress monitoring and placement assessments to track growth and determine a student's starting point in the literacy program.
However, I do not provide formal psychoeducational or dyslexia assessments unless you are located in California, where I am licensed as a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP #3836). In those cases, a separate fee and service agreement will apply.
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Yes, I am an approved ESA Vendor in Arizona. Families may use their Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds to pay for literacy tutoring services.
You may pay via:
- ESA direct billing (ClassWallet)
- Zelle (linked to my Wells Fargo business account)
- Cash
All payment details are outlined in your Tutoring Agreement.
When paying using ClassWallet, search for vendor: The Literacy Nook. If needed, you can refer to the instructions on How To Pay A Vendor on the ClassWallet website.
Let's work together
Is your child struggling to read?
Districts - backlog of assessments or psychologist shortages?
Reach out today to explore a suite of bilingual assessment and reading services.
- Address
- 19580 W Indian School Rd 105-142
Buckeye, AZ 85396 - Telephone
- +1 (602) 753-7129
- info@edasmt.com