Guided Learning LLC is committed to providing engaging learning experiences based on a learner’s needs and interests.  Guided Learning LLC is headed by Maria Arana. Maria is a former bilingual primary teacher and elementary mathematics coach.  She worked in schools in Houston,  Boston, and Phoenix.  While working for Boston Public Schools, she completed a M.Ed. in Learning and Teaching at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

In 2018, she completed a second M.Ed. in Gifted Education at Arizona State University. Her wealth of knowledge in the field of education coupled with her experience as a classroom teacher and mathematics coach allows her to tailor each learning session to the specific needs, interests and learning preferences of each student.

Maria has experience supporting the needs of learners with visual and language-based learning difficulties, twice-exceptional students, and students in need of challenging academic lessons.

Tutoring & Enrichment

Guided Learning LLC offers a wide range of private instruction in many academic subjects.  Personalized lessons are crafted to meet your child’s needs and interests. Services are best for families looking for long-term educational support over a semester or school-year. The studio is located in the Ahwatukee neighborhood of Phoenix and offers the following subjects areas:

  • Tutoring for grades K-8, all subjects
  • Mathematics through Algebra 2
  • Enrichment for grades K-8, all subjects
  • ESL individual instruction for all ages, including adults

Sessions are 30-minutes, 45-minutes or one hour long and can focus on one or more subjects.

Please contact Maria Arana for availability at:  guidedlearningstudio@gmail.com 

Instructional Practices

Guided Learning LLC implements a multi-sensory approach when working with children to help them build conceptual understandings. Maria helps clients gain confidence in learning a subject by helping them acquire study skills and monitor their own learning.

Maria uses formative assessments to inform instruction and is focused on helping students develop higher order thinking skills while growing basic skills. She takes time to research instructional methods and adapt instruction to each learner’s needs. This approach differs from most tutors who follow a pre-set program and who mainly provide homework help.

Reading Curriculum

The All About Reading Program incorporates a multi-sensory approach and includes five components of reading instruction:

  • Phonological Awareness
  • Phonics and Decoding
  • Fluency
  • Vocabulary
  • Comprehension

The Waseca Biomes Reading Program follows a systematic approach to word study (phonics) instruction based on the multi-sensory Orton-Gillingham approach and includes nonfiction readers for guided reading lessons.  

Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension Program benefits advanced readers in need of challenging literacy instruction. The program is comprised of targeted readings: short stories, poetry and nonfiction sources. Student begin by identifying literary elements and move to higher order thinking skills in order to critically analyze texts.

Math Curriculum

Mathematics students receive instruction based on their needs and the focus of instruction is building number sense and algebraic thinking. Maria has experience providing support and challenge for students from kindergarten through high school (Algebra 2). A variety of mathematics resources are used to plan and prepare individualized mathematics sessions for each student.  

Academic Coaching

    Individual academic coaching is for parents who would like to learn how to support their child’s learning at home.   Maria can help you identify your child’s strengths and interests in order to provide enrichment in the home or work with you so you can better support your child’s learning needs.  She can help you identify resources and enriching activities that will help your child develop his or her academic goals.

If you are interested in tutoring, enrichment or coaching services please go the contact tab to send a request or contact me via e-mail at: guidedlearningstudio@gmail.com

Thank you,

Maria Arana

Payment for services can be done through PayPal or Venmo (@Guided_Learning).