"My basic educational philosophy is to help students feel empowered about themselves and their abilities. Teaching only essential reading skills through Phono-Graphix leads to students feeling successful about their skills and reading. I work individually with students using Phono-Graphix to enhance their reading skills and give them confidence. An important part of working with them is building a relationship with them and helping them believe in themselves. An example of one of the many ways I accomplish that is by using descriptive praise (vs global, like saying "good!") Instead I say, "You read two whole pages without me helping you with one word!" "You sounded out that whole big word yourself!".