About
Literally Simple Reading and Writing Tutoring focuses on reading, writing, and specific reading and writing strategies. Lessons include activities such as summarizing, comprehending, comparing and contrasting, and using games during tutoring sessions. The program also includes instruction on how to read to learn and ways to communicate through writing, using printed books and stories even in an online format.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Price: the price always at 50$
Literally Simple Reading and Writing Tutoring is led by Mrs. Halcumb (Maria), a reading and writing tutor. She is a local Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR tutor and a middle school English teacher with 10 years of teaching experience, including 6 years in a high-poverty junior/senior high classroom and 7 years of classroom teaching experience. She holds a Master of Education degree as a reading specialist/interventionist, is a Master Teacher specifically in reading and writing instruction, and is a certified teacher in both Washington and Oregon. Her experience includes designing, writing, and teaching high school English and curriculum in an online setting, working as a physical education teacher, working as a language arts and physical educator in an Oregon junior/senior high school, serving as a reading interventionist, and substitute teaching at her daughter’s elementary school and the local middle school. Her mission statement is, “I simply love to teach.”
The program follows research-based strategies that are explicitly taught, and these strategies are used across the curriculum, not only in reading and writing. Tutoring lessons include games, and the tutor describes her approach as making a game out of everything. Literally Simple Reading and Writing Tutoring is not a private education company and is not fueled by meeting sales quotas. Families do not sign a contract, and the tutor asks for 24 hours as a courtesy if cancelling a lesson. The program only offers lessons in an online environment and still uses actual books and printed stories during online lessons. The online format lowers commute time, which keeps the price always at 50$. Most current students were referred by other families she has tutored, and the program is taking on a few more students this year. The program’s slogan is, “Your Favorite Teacher At Your Kitchen Table.”
Literally Simple Reading and Writing Tutoring quarterly donates profits from tutoring to a local Family and Community Resource Center, which seeks families in need and provides items such as winter coats, school supplies, and hygiene products through the public schools. The tutor has worked with students from both Vancouver, WA and Portland, Oregon.
Parent and community feedback includes several testimonials. One parent shared that her 14-year-old son, who was on an IEP for reading and writing, found the work with Maria helpful and engaging and appreciated the 1-1 attention (“It was truly invaluable.” – Carrie, Parent). A superintendent stated that “Maria is an excellent teacher who has a passion for her students” and described her as being in the top 3% of educators he has worked with, saying “you will not be disappointed by the magic she works when she is teaching” (Michael Carter – Superintendent). A student commented, “Maria knows how to get information into kid’s brains and how to keep them motivated” (Marty – Student).
Last updated February 28, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Price: the price always at 50$
Literally Simple Reading and Writing Tutoring is led by Mrs. Halcumb (Maria), a reading and writing tutor. She is a local Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR tutor and a middle school English teacher with 10 years of teaching experience, including 6 years in a high-poverty junior/senior high classroom and 7 years of classroom teaching experience. She holds a Master of Education degree as a reading specialist/interventionist, is a Master Teacher specifically in reading and writing instruction, and is a certified teacher in both Washington and Oregon. Her experience includes designing, writing, and teaching high school English and curriculum in an online setting, working as a physical education teacher, working as a language arts and physical educator in an Oregon junior/senior high school, serving as a reading interventionist, and substitute teaching at her daughter’s elementary school and the local middle school. Her mission statement is, “I simply love to teach.”
The program follows research-based strategies that are explicitly taught, and these strategies are used across the curriculum, not only in reading and writing. Tutoring lessons include games, and the tutor describes her approach as making a game out of everything. Literally Simple Reading and Writing Tutoring is not a private education company and is not fueled by meeting sales quotas. Families do not sign a contract, and the tutor asks for 24 hours as a courtesy if cancelling a lesson. The program only offers lessons in an online environment and still uses actual books and printed stories during online lessons. The online format lowers commute time, which keeps the price always at 50$. Most current students were referred by other families she has tutored, and the program is taking on a few more students this year. The program’s slogan is, “Your Favorite Teacher At Your Kitchen Table.”
Literally Simple Reading and Writing Tutoring quarterly donates profits from tutoring to a local Family and Community Resource Center, which seeks families in need and provides items such as winter coats, school supplies, and hygiene products through the public schools. The tutor has worked with students from both Vancouver, WA and Portland, Oregon.
Parent and community feedback includes several testimonials. One parent shared that her 14-year-old son, who was on an IEP for reading and writing, found the work with Maria helpful and engaging and appreciated the 1-1 attention (“It was truly invaluable.” – Carrie, Parent). A superintendent stated that “Maria is an excellent teacher who has a passion for her students” and described her as being in the top 3% of educators he has worked with, saying “you will not be disappointed by the magic she works when she is teaching” (Michael Carter – Superintendent). A student commented, “Maria knows how to get information into kid’s brains and how to keep them motivated” (Marty – Student).
Last updated February 28, 2026.
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