About Svetlana Cvetkovic
Let's change the way we teach children to read and spell.
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Using an integrative speech-first approach helps kids learn the sounds, the meanings, and spelling patterns all at the same time.
I'm Svetlana Cvetkovic
Educator. Researcher. Literacy Specialist. Advocate.
I'm so glad we found each other! It brings me so much joy when teachers and parents discover the speech-first approach to literacy. The impact it has on teacher outcomes and student success is staggering.
That's why I've made it my mission to empower teachers and parents with evidence-based strategies that transform literacy instruction, ensuring every child has the opportunity to become a confident, skilled reader.
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With over 15 years of experience in education, I began my career as a K-3 classroom teacher before earning my Master’s in Literacy Leadership with a Reading Specialist credential from San Diego State University. I later served as a K-8 Reading Specialist in California and Maryland, supporting students and teachers across grade levels.
As a classroom teacher, I was always intrigued to understand how and why certain students remembered words so quickly and others encountered great difficulty. There had to be a reason.
So when I pursued my PhD, I set out to discover why.
My research focus included dyslexia, RAN, and reading fluency. This research explored critical questions in literacy education, including how children develop sight word recognition and why some learners struggle.
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Through my research, explorations, and experience, my focus is to bridge the latest neuroeducational findings to establish effective classroom literacy instruction. With expertise in dyslexia, Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN), and reading fluency, I work to bridge neuroscience and practical strategies to improve literacy outcomes.
Equipped with so many years of experience and powerful scientific understanding of how our growing brains work, I am excited to work toward a better system of teaching kids how to read. A system that works for educators, families, and students.​
Today, I work as a private educational consultant and remediation specialist.
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Using a speech-first literacy approach, I support teachers and parents in fostering evidence-based literacy practices.
Passionate about transforming literacy instruction, I am committed to ensuring all students have the foundation to become skilled readers and spellers from their earliest days in school.
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My vision is to disrupt the reading failure status quo through evidence validated instruction so that far more students are on the path to becoming skilled readers and spellers from the very first day of Kindergarten.
About Me
Education
2022
PhD
San Diego State University, CA Claremont Graduate University, CA
2016
MA in Reading and Literacy Leadership/Reading Specialist
San Diego State University, CA
2004
BA in Liberal Studies and Multiple Subject Cleared Credential
Cal State San Marcos, CA
Certifications
2016
Reading Specialist
San Diego State University, CA
2004-2008
Houghton Mifflin Reading
First Certification, K-3
Training & Professional Development
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Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI) | EBLI [2021]
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Seeing Stars Program| Lindamood-Bell [2021]
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Phono-Graphix [2021]
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Reading Simplified [2021]
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Orton Gillingham | IMSE [2019]
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Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) | WestED [2017]
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Kagan Cooperative Learning Workshops Levels 1-3 | Kagan [2014-2016]
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Nancy Fetzer Reading and Writing Workshops K-6 | Nancy Fetzer [2014-2016]
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Helen R. Powel Dissertation Research Award | Claremont Graduate University [2022]
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Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year| San Diego State University [2016]
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Teacher of the Year [2012]
Professional Experience
K-Adult Private Remediation Tutor | Self-Employed, Zoom [2022 –Present]
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Title I Reading Specialist and Interventionist (K-8) | Elementary & Middle schools, CA/MD [2015-2019]
Planned, developed, organized, and taught small group literacy interventions (50-140 students)
Facilitated workshops to demonstrate best practices for teaching staff and instructional assistants.
Administered and shared literacy assessment data, including running records and STAR/NWEA MAP scores, every 6-12 weeks.
K-3 Classroom Teacher | Escondido, CA [2004-2015]
Facilitated as the 2nd grade-level lead teacher on the Site Leadership Team since 2007.
Worked with the principal and literacy coach to unite teachers across grades for student academic success.
