Help Your Child
Read with Confidence
One-on-one support for kids with dyslexia and reading struggles, in Sycamore, IL and online.
You Know Something Isn't Clicking
Maybe your child is falling further behind every year. Maybe the school says they're "fine," but you know something is wrong. Maybe you've been told they're "not behind enough" to qualify for extra help.
You know your child better than anyone. Trust that instinct!
You just want your child…
to feel confident again.
to stop dreading school.
to believe they can do this.
Meet Joan Brandon
Hi, I'm Joan! I started Firefly Reading Center because I saw too many families struggling to find real, specialized help for their kids.
By the time most parents find me, they're exhausted. They've watched their child struggle, maybe gotten a difficult diagnosis, and tried to navigate a school system that just can't offer enough individualized support.
I get it. And with my 20 years of teaching experience in your corner, you can finally take a breath knowing your child's reading is in expert hands.
A proven method you can count on
Fun, flexible, and relationship-centered
If a student needs to move to learn, we move. If they walk in having a rough day, we slow down and meet them there first.
Real, measurable progress
Every student is assessed at the start, middle, and end of each level, so you always know how your child is doing, with real numbers you can share with teachers or an IEP team.
Getting Started is Simple
1
Reach out. Send me a quick message about what's going on with your child.
2
Get real answers. We'll start with a comprehensive literacy assessment to understand exactly what's happening and what to do next.
3
Start seeing progress. Watch your child build confidence, one session at a time.
What Families Are Saying
A Year of Real Growth
"My 5th grader has been seeing Joan for almost a year now. His reading, writing and spelling have improved, as well as his overall confidence. He also says his sessions are beneficial and he enjoys going. I would highly recommend."
— Stephanie S.
Learning that Feels Like Play
"Joan is amazing! My daughter has already made great strides in her reading and letter/sound recognition and blends. Joan makes it fun and interactive, my 5 year old loves going, which speaks for itself. Would definitely recommend. 😊"
— Randa M.
Patient, Skilled, and It Shows
"Joan has been amazing to work with. My daughter enjoys going to tutoring with her and has really improved her reading and phonics skills. Thanks to Joan and Firefly Reading Center, my daughter's confidence in reading has gone up. Joan is very patient and really good at what she does."
— Becky G.
Turning Hard Into Fun
"Joan is a wonderful tutor who is beyond responsive to students' needs. She has made so much progress with our daughter because of her flexibility, problem solving and willingness to make something that’s hard for her fun! Our daughter never wants to miss her sessions with Joan."
— Niamh W.
Confidence That Carries Over
"My son loves his tutoring sessions! Joan is great and has really helped my son’s confidence when it comes to reading. Highly recommend this place for anyone who needs tutoring assistance."
— Stephanie S.
Years of Steady Success
"We are in our third maybe 4th year with Firefly. It has been a very positive and successful experience. Highly recommended."
— Cherie S.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Get Clear Answers.
If you're not sure whether your child needs tutoring, or you just want real answers instead of more guessing, a comprehensive literacy assessment is the place to start.
In about an hour, we'll evaluate your child's reading and writing skills and identify exactly what's affecting their progress. You'll walk away with a clear, easy-to-understand written report, one you can also share with teachers or an IEP team.