Dr. Orna Ariel Lenchner is an early literacy specialist with unique skills that blend academic insight and practical application. For the last two decades she has worked extensively with children with reading difficulties as an evaluator and remedial instructor, as a teacher trainer at colleges in California and Vermont and for local school districts. She began developing innovative curriculum materials to promote phonological awareness a decade before it became a buzzword in education. Dr. Lenchner has also made unique contributions in the field of Hebrew reading with publications that revolutionized how this distinctive alphabetic system is taught.

Dr. Lenchner is available for teacher training workshops, consultation and curriculum development. She maintains a private practice where she conducts assessments and provide individualized remedial reading, spelling, and writing instruction to children in the lower elementary grades. In conjunction with her literacy work she uses a wide array of creative techniques and materials to promote phonological awareness. During the summer months she directs and teaches the summer program, Bridging the Gap, for graduating kindergarteners. Dr. Lenchner also specializes in working with reading disabled children learning Hebrew.

Testimonials

Dr. Lenchner's knowledge in the area of phonological awareness is extensive. She is skillful at being able to communicate this important discovery about reading to children and adults wrestling with reading disabilities. Her gift as a teacher is matched only by her enthusiasm about this vital language skill…. Her creativity when designing activities is impressive in that it takes into account not only student appeal and teacher usefulness but also a strong, well-sequenced theoretical foundation.

Blanche Podhajski. Ph.D.

Founder and Director of the Stern Center for Language and Learning
Director Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Vermont

Your patience, creativity, knowledge and formidable skill in dealing with learning problems were what we needed. You recognized and capitalized on Sean's competitive streak, creating board games to teach him basic sounds. Of course, it took a lot of work on your part, and Sean's. Six years later, Sean is an academic star. Watching the change has been truly miraculous.

Karen and Bob (Parents)

Dr. Lenchner's workshop on Phonological Awareness Assessment and Training was organized and sequential and tied to what we need out of a workshop. The video demonstration, informative handouts, and easy to use activities were all wonderful. Especially valuable was her work with "live" first graders.

Teacher from training workshop at the Santa Barbara County Education Office

Dr. Lenchner is an energetic, knowledgeable, entertaining and enthusiastic instructor with cutting edge knowledge about phonological awareness and phonics. I found most valuable the practical nature of the class: the many hands-on activities, the opportunity to practice multiple assessment tools and to demonstrate our ability to apply our newly acquired skills in the classroom. This course far exceeded my expectations.

Classroom teacher, UC Berkeley extension

"Following Noah�s kindergarten year we enrolled him in Dr. Lenchner�s program, Bridging the Gap. He came back from her sessions elated and so proud of his achievements. During the sessions I observed, she was playful, engaging and encouraging. It was a delight to watch this master teacher interact with her students."

Amy Baker, parent

"Thank you so much for the two weeks that you�ve spent teaching Gabriel how to read. He�s made great progress and has grown in his self-confidence, which is perhaps more important as he prepares to enter first grade."

Peter Engel, parent

"I was told my child had problems in kindergarten and I took action because my son was beginning to feel bad about lagging behind his classmates. We consulted with a really amazing learning specialist in Oakland, Dr. Ariel Lenchner. Best decision we ever made� She is terrific with fidgety kids and very fun. He is in first grade this year and reading at grade level. It took a few months of weekly sessions then all of a sudden it clicked."

Susan Wilder, Berkeley Parents Network

"As a learning specialist of 15 years as well as a parent, I am extremely impressed with Ariel. I would enthusiastically recommend her for individual and small group instruction. She has the knowledge, experience and creativity to help students dramatically increase their skills. In addition� she is a warm, caring, fun person who is truly dedicated to helping students achieve her goal."

Gloria Schild, parent and learning specialist

"We will always feel thankful to Ariel. My first-grade son went from 'the cat had jam' to reading a science text about whales in four months with her. Ariel knows exactly what a child needs and hones in on it. She is very creative — she uses phonics games she's invented herself and knows how to make it all fun. Most importantly, she instills so much confidence."

Sophie Volpp, parent

For further details please contact:

Dr. Orna Ariel Lenchner
4372 Montgomery St.
Oakland, CA 94611
Tel: (510) 655-2952.
Fax: (510) 225-3200
E mail: Ariel@EarlyLiteracyWizard.com