About Brenda
Hi, I’m Brenda Ray, founder of Pen to Pathways. I’ve been teaching English for over a decade, and helping students grow as readers and writers is at the heart of what I do.
Over the years, I noticed that some of the brightest students in my classroom were struggling with reading and writing. In a class of twenty students, two or three might quietly fall behind without receiving the focused instruction they needed to thrive. I knew these students were capable of far more, and wanted to better understand how to support them.
That search led me to evidence-based approaches to literacy instruction, including Orton–Gillingham structured literacy and The Writing Revolution’s Hochman Method. These approaches focus on clear, step-by-step instruction that helps students build strong reading and writing skills over time.
Today, my work at Pen to Pathways focuses on helping students strengthen their literacy skills through individualized, structured instruction that builds both competence and confidence.
If you're wondering whether this approach might be helpful for your child, I invite you to schedule a short parent consultation.
15-minute call to discuss your child’s reading or writing needs.
Credentials
Orton-Gillingham–Based Structured Literacy Training
Certified Writing Revolution (Hochman Method) Instructor
Over 10 years teaching English
Master of Fine Arts in Nonfiction Writing
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
ESL Teaching Certification
Published author and Pushcart Prize nominee
I Help Students With
Reading Intervention
Writing Intervention
Executive Functioning
What Parents Are Saying
“Our son came to Brenda feeling unsure and overwhelmed by high school writing expectations. She quickly put him at ease and gave him clear, structured steps to organize his work. He learned how to break large assignments into smaller chunks, and writing feels a lot less intimidating now. We’ve seen real growth in both his skills and self-confidence. Brenda’s guidance made a huge difference during this important transition year.”
— Parent of 9th Grader
“From the start, Brenda created a space where our child felt safe and encouraged as a reader. We’ve watched his confidence grow, as he learned to recognize spelling patterns, map sounds to letters, and read with fluency. Our son’s comprehension has improved tremendously since working with Brenda. We’d gladly recommend her to any family.”
— Parent of 3rd Grader
“Our daughter really struggled with executive functioning, especially staying organized and getting started on assignments. Brenda helped her break tasks into clear, manageable steps and develop routines that actually made sense to her. Over time, we saw a huge shift. She became more independent and more confident in her ability to handle schoolwork.”
— Parent of 6th Grader
What Students Are Saying
