Location: Texarkana, Arkansas
Education: MBA, CALT in Training
Years Experience Teaching: 14
Years Experience In Dyslexia: 4
Teaching Experience
I have been teaching for over 14 years, 10 were teaching Reading to 2nd and 3rd grade. Since then I have been doing Dyslexia Therapy with the Texarkana Arkansas School District where I have done therapy with elementary, middle school and high school students.
Professional Affiliations
Arkansas State Teachers Association
Programs Trained In
I am certified in The Sonday Program, Phonics First, and Take Flight.
Age Range You Feel Most Comfortable With:
All ages!
Why did you decide to become a CALT?
My first encounter with teaching someone to read came when I was in college where I signed up to tutor at the local Literacy Council. This was extremely fulfilling with adults so I decided it was an area of study that I was interested in going into with education. After teaching Reading to 2nd and 3rd graders I became interested with students who have different reading difficulties and started exploring how I could move into helping these students. I started being trained in different programs and learning more and more about the science of reading and the brain. This is exactly where I am supposed to be, it feels like home.
Favorite moment working with dyslexic students?
My favorite moment when working with a student with dyslexia is when the light starts to come on in their eyes confirming that all of the parts of the program and the hard work they have put in are coming together. That look in their eye is why I do what I do!
Your goal when working with kids with dyslexia?
Students who have dyslexia are on a journey so there are different goals that I have at different times. My first goal is to build their confidence and let them see how smart they really are. My next goal is to show them how much they are improving by keeping up with their progress and data. Before a student is ready to venture out my goal is to make sure that they have all of the tools in their toolbox to help them to continue to progress on their own.
Your teaching style, personality?
I would have to say that my teaching style is a little fun with lots of hard work. It has to be a balance of both. I will be one of my students biggest cheerleaders!
Any family details?
I am the proud mama of three kids, all in college and close to graduating. For fun we like to do outdoor activities including rivers, mountains and college football. I have two dogs, Jaxx and Tipper who like to make occasional appearances on Zoom, they just don’t understand who I am talking to!
