Bill Baldyga has over 25 years of experience working with all types and ages of learners, from pre-schoolers who need help developing their pre-reading skills, typical students who need to get back on track, students on the autism spectrum, and everyone in-between.
About Bill
I know firsthand the range of emotions a child who is a struggling reader can feel. I was not identified as dyslexic until graduate school. Throughout primary school I was called lazy, unmotivated and told ‘needs to try harder.’ These were explanations teachers and administrators gave to reconcile the fact that they considered me ‘smart’ with the fact that they continued to watch me labor with reading and spelling.
Bill has long held a personal interest in Japanese culture. He has formally studied Zen Buddhism for over 20 years in Japan and the United States. Bill has developed a deep capacity for patience. This gives him a unique ability to sit and be present with children who can be “difficult” in certain situations; children who are frustrated and struggling with what is happening in their world can work through their challenges with compassionate patience and appropriate instruction.
When Bill is not working with students, he can usually be found practicing Japanese archery(kyudo), calligraphy(shodo), surfing Ocean Beach, or walking his dog.
Education and Training
Bill has an M.Ed. in Early/Elementary Education from Antioch University and a B.F.A. in Fine Art from San Francisco Art Institute. He earned his educational therapy certification from UCSC. And reached a professional standing with the Association of Educational Therapists which was conferred after 1500 hours of certified practice. Bill is also certified with the California Multi-subject and Single Subject Teaching Credential. He has more than 400 hours of training in Orton/Gillingham based academic language instruction at the Greenwood Institute, with Louisa Moats and Mike Minsky, and at the Durango Mountain Camp with Joyce Bilgrave. In addition to his work as an educational therapist, he has been a classroom teacher in public and private schools, working with K – 12 students.