Location: Cheney, Kansas
Education: BA, Early Childhood Education; M.Ed., Special Education; CALT-QI
Years Experience Teaching: 20
Years Experience In Dyslexia: 11
Teaching Experience
I have spent the last 10 years teaching in our local elementary school. Throughout those years, I have taught Take Flight to 2nd-5th graders, and worked with pre-K through 1st graders with foundational skills in reading. Privately, I have also taught Take Flight to middle school and high school students. Before becoming a CALT-QI, I worked as a special education teacher in the elementary setting and worked with pre-K-5th graders supporting their needs in many subjects. Along with supporting students, I also train other teachers in the Take Flight curriculum to become Certified Academic Language Therapists.
Professional Affiliations
Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) since 2019
Programs Trained In
Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia
Jet: A Fast-Paced Reading Intervention
Age Range You Feel Most Comfortable With:
Kindergarten through High School
Why did you decide to become a CALT?
I really enjoyed helping my former students when they struggled to read and write years ago. When I learned about the depth of knowledge and training that CALT’s receive, I was very interested! Becoming a CALT-QI was not only challenging, but was also my most rewarding accomplishment to date! Not only do I have a wide range of experience with ages and abilities, I also have gained a deeper knowledge in the science of reading.
Favorite moment working with dyslexic students?
I have so many favorite moments from working with my students, but a few of my most favorites are when my students begin to read out loud to their parents for the first time! Happy tears are shed by everyone! Those are truly special moments that change a child’s life forever!
Your goal when working with kids with dyslexia?
My goal when working with students with dyslexia is to guide them to find their strengths and to use those strengths to help them grow confidence, independence, and self-advocacy all while improving their reading and writing skills.
Your teaching style, personality?
I am very caring, patient, and hard working. I love to connect with my students by finding common interests. I love music and laughter and also enjoy learning from my students! My lessons are organized and thorough. I have high expectations of my students and myself. If additional time or materials are needed to help a student with their learning, I have many materials on hand to meet those needs. I enjoy working closely with families throughout our time together and support them in any way possible.
Any family details?
My husband and I have been married since 2007. We have two daughters 11 and 8 who love to play softball, sing, act, and play music. We have one Maltipoo puppy, Millie, who will be 1 year old in December! When we are not at the softball fields, we love to spend family time at the lake, watch football, or relax with movie night and popcorn!
Any extra anecdotal info you want to add?
I am always singing or listening to music! I love getting dirty in our garden or flowerbeds. I love to read by the fire with a nice latte! I am constantly learning new things!
