 Shields Scholars
Not Sure of Your Child's Reading Level???
Book them in for a 1:1 reading assessment with a literacy specialist!
If your child is struggling with reading, guessing isn’t enough. A 1:1 reading assessment helps identify why reading isn’t clicking and what your child needs next.
During this individualized session, we evaluate key reading skills and look beyond surface-level “grade placement” to understand the root of the struggle. After the assessment, you’ll receive clear insights and a personalized plan so you can move forward with confidence — not uncertainty.
This assessment is designed for parents who want real answers, not generic advice.
Book Now (It's Free)
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Where Would You Like To Start?
Children's Classes and Professional Tutoring
We have an array of classes for children anywhere from 3-10 years old!
Interested in Teaching with Shields Scholars?
Click the button below to learn more and apply!
Are You Looking to go from "Mom" to "Mompreneur"?
Let me help you build your own tutoring business!
Our Mission
Anyone Can Teach A Child What To Think,
But It Takes A Great Teacher To Teach A Child How To Learn.
NICE TO MEET YOU
I'm Cassondra Shields
I’m a mom of five, educator, and the founder of Shields Scholars, an online tutoring company providing structured, results-driven instruction in reading, writing, and math for young learners.
My teaching career began in second language learning (ESL), where I taught children and adults through English immersion and 1:1 online instruction. I solely worked with students overseas and in other countries teaching them English as a language. Working with students from around the world gave me a deep understanding of how language is acquired — and how easily children struggle when instruction doesn’t align with how they actually learn.
In 2020, as the world changed and traditional schooling became unpredictable, I quickly found out how many American children literally could not read. Teaching ESL, obviously reading and literacy was part of the program, but it was never the hard part. I had parents in America asking for tutoring help during distance learning and school shutdowns. I quickly saw that they didn't tutoring help in core subjects like science and social studied - they couldn't read the textbooks.Â
Did you know that 75% of literacy programs in public schools do NOT include all 5 components of reading? Or that 14% of American adults are functionally illiterate, meaning they read below a 5th grade level? Or that 50% of American adults cannot read or comprehend material scored above an 8th grade level? Or that the school-to-prison pipeline is a VERY REAL THING?!
So I did what teachers do best: I built something better.
I began creating my own lessons — interactive, structured, and rooted in how children develop literacy and numeracy skills. Within months, my three-year-old was reading independently. That experience reshaped not only how I taught my own children, but how I approached education as a whole.
What started at my kitchen table soon grew into Shields Scholars — an online tutoring company serving families who want more than generic programs or guesswork. Over the past several years, I’ve helped hundreds of young learners build strong foundations in reading, writing, and math through personalized instruction, clear assessment, and measurable progress.
Today, Shields Scholars works with parents who want clarity — not confusion — when it comes to their child’s learning. Our programs are designed to identify why a child is struggling and provide targeted support that actually works.
If you’re here because something hasn’t been clicking for your child academically, you’re in the right place.
"My daughter learned how to read and sound out her words from this class. The way she teaches her students to read is so innovative and enjoyable for the kids. I wish it was longer but the worksheets are great to practice outside of class. The use of NearPod game was my daughters favorite part of course. I highly recommend this class."
- Cymone
"This class has boosted my child’s confidence with reading. She uses what she learned when she is sounding out new words and reading sentences. The teacher makes each class fun! My kid always asks when the next class will happen."
- Lauren
"Cassie and her teachers are amazing! My son has actually learned so much from this class that he needs the next level. He has progressed through both her reading and her math classes over the past year and a half and is reading and figuring on a first grade level now at age 5."