Your learner doesn't need to try harder. They just need to be taught the way their brain learns. That's what we do at Pine State Learning.
We specialize in instruction for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and ODD. Our students are the ones who've been through the standard programs and are still stuck, the ones who need to move a lot to get their brains to work, or the ones still falling behind despite extra help. We know how to figure out what works for each learner, why they are struggling, and to get them back on track.
If this sounds like your learner...
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Identified as a student with a specific learning disability and you suspect dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia.
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Identified as a student with ADHD but you suspect a deeper difficulty.
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Is "scary smart" in some areas but not making progress in reading, writing, or math.
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Has had tutoring in the past, but no real progress.
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After a few great school years, they started "acting out" (usually at the end of second or during third grade).
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Meeting IEP goals but still very far behind peers.
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A third, fourth, or fifth grader who is not reading chapter books yet.
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Asking them to read results in headaches, belly aches, or meltdowns.
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School avoidance and refusal are becoming daily occurrences.
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Learning difficulties are damaging their self esteem or becoming behavior challenges in a school setting (home or brick and mortar schools).
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You keep getting reports from tutors or teachers that they can't sit still or "will not try".
You are in the right place.
These are our students, the ones we love to work with!
At the core of all we do is the belief that learners do well when they can.
If students are not being taught the way their brains work,
trying harder will not make them succeed. The learners we work with are "trying harder" than most of their peers the moment they step foot in a classroom.
Imagine for a minute, you arrive at flying school but you get there and there is no plane. How long would you keep "trying hard" at learning to fly?
And if you had to just keep going... and keep trying with a positive attitude,
how would you act?
Would you joke with your friend about it while the teacher was talking, walk out of the lesson, maybe get a little sarcastic?
"Not trying" is communication that your learner is not being taught the way that their brain needs to learn.
With the right methods, curricula, and support, confidence grows and "behavior" becomes a non-issue.
Individualized & Prescriptive
We understand the unique cognitive and academic profile of each student before teaching so that we can design the most effective and fun program for every student we work with. For some students this is Orton-Gillingham based instruction, for some students this means Lindamood-Bell LIPS or Seeing Stars, or On Cloud Nine for Numeracy, Morningside for fluency. Knowing what to use, when, and why is what makes a difference for our students.
Each lesson is tailored to the exact level and need of the student. Our approach is to utilize the most effective, structured, research-based, program or programs for each student's individual learning profile. We have taught hundreds of learners (maybe thousands at this point, now we feel old) and have seen the amazing results of this type of prescriptive, precision teaching.
In 2025, our students improved decoding skills by an average of 2.5 grade levels.
Precise Instruction
We teach the material in a systematic, direct, and explicit way. Students are neither expected to know anything that has not been taught nor repeat things once they have been mastered.
We always take into account each student's unique profile of underlying skills: phonological and phonemic awareness, orthographic ability, number sense, and executive function skills can all be taught systematically.
Learner Focused
Our teaching approach is multisensory and fun. We utilize auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and tactile teaching techniques to make learning stick.
In Reading: orthographic and phonological skills are addressed simultaneously. First foundational reading, then spelling, then comprehension and writing are developed. In Math: number sense, subitizing, and deep understanding of algorithms are prioritized over rote memorization.
Ways we can help:
Tutoring
Our structured, multi-sensory, reading, writing, and math instruction is based firmly in the latest reading research.
We teach students who live (or summer) in southern coastal Maine in person, and serve many students nationwide and internationally online.
In 2025 we supported 67 students and improved decoding skills by an average of 2.5 grade levels for those students who completed the recommended hours.
Independent Educational Evaluations
Our independent educational evaluations identify learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia; give a clear picture of the strengths and growth areas of each individual learner.
If you are confused or concerned about your learner's progress, or want detailed information learning needs, we can help.
We will name specific strategies and methodologies so that you know what to ask for at the next IEP.
Professional Development/Provider of SDI
If teachers in your district need training in multi-sensory, structured learning interventions, or interpreting evaluations to design instruction, we may be able to offer a training or mentorship.
Or, if you just need an outside special education provider for a student with unique learning needs, we may be a solution. We pride ourselves on supporting learners and communicating effectively with families.
Lisa is incredibly knowledgeable in designing reading interventions and instruction for students with learning disabilities. As a special education teacher, I refer to her for some of my most difficult cases.
- Mrs. S, Special Educator
When we started working with Lisa we were so thankful to finally find someone who understood our son’s needs and how to address them! We saw significant improvement in his reading, and his confidence. I don’t know where we would be without her knowledge, and expertise, we remain forever thankful for all she has done for our family!
Sarah M., parent of a high schooler
I have seen tremendous growth in students who have worked under Lisa Murphy's direction. Students have improved multiple grade levels and their confidence has skyrocketed.
- Maine Special Education Director
Our Commitment To Equity
We are committed to working against the way that racial and socioeconomic privilege manifests itself in the identification and remediation of learning disabilities.
We do what we can by offering need based scholarships, do pro-bono consultation for families with economic needs, and work with educational advocates on the toughest cases to help ALL students get what they need.
How to get started for families or individuals:
We work to get to know each family and learner before we start so we can design the right program for where they are right now.
Step 1: Quick Consult
Step 2: File Review or Assessment
Step 3: Start Tutoring
A quick conversation to determine if we are what you need, determine whether you need an independent academic evaluation, file review, or tutoring pretest (or another service entirely).
We look in depth at your learner's academic and underlying skills, either through review of previous evaluations or working with our evaluator, compile into a skill sketch, and make instructional recommendations.
Whether you are working intensively (1-3 sessions per day), a few times per week, or supporting your own learner at home, this is where the magic happens!