empOewering
empOWERING STUDENTS
At Root Words Literacy, we leverage the profound power of individualized, comprehensive tutoring to nurture confident readers and writers. Our goal is to cultivate robust literacy skills in students from grades 6 to 12 so that they can navigate every reading, writing, and grammar challenge with ease. Through our expertly crafted lessons and enduring dedication, we empower students to grow into confident thinkers, insightful readers, and expressive writers.
meet the owner
MEET THE OWNER
MEET THE OWNER & COACH
Anna McNerney
Welcome! I'm Anna McNerney, founder and lead coach at Root Words.
Designated a “Highly Qualified” licensed secondary English teacher in the state of North Carolina, I draw from my extensive experience designing my own classroom curricula to produce high-impact proprietary lessons and practice materials tailored to students’ individual needs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ME BELOW!
"I WISH I COULD PAUSE CLASS AND HELP THIS ONE STUDENT...I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HE NEEDS."
HOW DID I GET HERE?
MY STORY
During my eight years as a middle and high school English teacher, I found myself thinking this nearly every day. I so often wished that I had the time and resources to better support those students who needed the individualization of a different style or pace, a different mode, a different setting.
Now, through my model of highly personalized, one-to-one literacy coaching, I have the opportunity—the privilege—to nurture my students in the exact way that each of them needs.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
MY EXPERIENCE
I have been tutoring in reading and writing since I was still a student myself. My journey began at Villanova University, where I was trained to be a tutor at the campus Writing Center. After graduating with my B.A. in English, I taught middle and high school English first in a Title 1 school with Teach For America and, later, in two Charlotte-area private schools. When I returned to school to earn my M.A. in English in 2022, it was a joy to reconnect with my roots by undergoing further training with UNCC’s Writing Resource Center.
AT THE ROOT:
OUR CORE VALUES
YOU HAVE UNIQUE SKILLS
AND NEEDS:
You, student, are not like your brother, your neighbor, or your classmate. You bring your own strengths to our work; together, we will foster the development of skills you most need to improve.
YOU BELONG HERE:
You deserve a nurturing environment where you can bravely challenge yourself on your path to growth. Your identity, worldview, and experiences are not just accepted here—they are welcomed.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS:
You have valid ideas and relevant experiences to bring to your reading and writing. Our work will amplify, not erase, your voice.
resOurCEs
RESOURCES
At Root Words Literacy, we embrace the incredible impact of individualized, comprehensive tutoring to nurture confident readers and writers with tailored support. Our goal is to cultivate robust literacy skills in students from grades 6 to 12, helping them navigate every reading, writing, and grammar hurdle. Through our expertly crafted lessons and enduring dedication, we empower students to grow into confident thinkers, insightful readers, and expressive writers.
