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Dyslexia Therapy Reimagined

Jessica Dean

Location: Michigan

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology; Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology)

Years Experience Teaching: 6

Years Experience In Dyslexia: 3

Teaching Experience

Jessica Dean began her professional career as a school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) in 2017 after graduating with a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Eastern Michigan University. Her experience includes providing both in-person and virtual therapeutic-level language intervention to students aged preschool to high school. The students she has worked with have qualified for special education services under a range of eligibilities, including: specific language impairment (SLI; e.g. receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language deficits), specific learning disability (SLD), cognitive impairment (CI), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), early childhood developmental delay (ECDD), and otherwise health impaired (OHI). In the summer of 2021, Jessica began her career transition from school SLP to dyslexia therapist. She now works exclusively with Dyslexia on Demand on a part-time basis, providing both 1:1 therapy-level literacy support to students and administering progress monitoring assessments.

Professional Affiliations

Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA)
American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)

Programs Trained In

Basic Language Skills® – Introductory and Advanced Levels
Phonics First® and Structures®
DuBard Association Method® – Introductory Level

Age Range You Feel Most Comfortable With:
Late elementary to high school age students

Why did you decide to become a CALT?

Jessica has always had a passion for reading and language. While in college for her bachelor’s degree, she completed a thesis on the importance of literacy and how it impacts the lives of individuals. Eventually, Jessica decided to focus her passion for language into a career as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and pursued her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. She began her journey towards specializing in written language therapy and reading intervention in 2020 when she began working as a tutor in the Phonics First® program. Jessica loved it so much that she decided to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She initiated training in the structured literacy Basic Language Skills program through Neuhaus Education Center in the spring of 2021.

Jessica loves what she does because she believes that everyone has the basic human right to read and communicate effectively with others. She also strongly believes in the impact that literacy has on the advancement of human society. Jessica is passionate about the process of empowering individuals towards self-advocacy, helping them to acquire the resources they need to live a quality and sustainable life; learn practical skills; and ultimately become the protagonists of their own development.

Favorite moment working with dyslexic students?

Jessica loves developing a unique rapport with each of her students. She loves when her students are engaged and curious learners, watching them experience “a-ha” moments, and connecting the pieces of their learning together.

Your goal when working with kids with dyslexia?

Jessica loves being able to witness first-hand how improving reading and overall communication help to develop a student’s self-confidence. She wants her students to have the opportunity to assertively pursue their dreams and passions and to advocate for what they need to thrive. Her goal when working with students is for them to feel heard, respected, and supported while they learn how to read and communicate with greater ease.

Your teaching style, personality?

Jessica is a gentle guide throughout the therapeutic process. She strives to be approachable and intentional in every lesson. She is mindful of her students’ unique needs and accommodates them accordingly through individualized intervention. Jessica values the whole person. She strives to celebrate the strengths of her students while supporting the areas where they need additional assistance. She is also very intentional about keeping parents/guardians informed of their student’s ongoing progress and what they have been learning via weekly email communication.

Any family details?

Jessica is a wife and homeschooling mom of two boys. She and her family live in Michigan and love its forests, Great Lakes, and four seasons (except the often very cold winters). Jessica loves playing board games, reading, camping, hiking, and watching movies and anime with her family. She also enjoys a variety of music genres, swing dance, and musical theater.

Any extra anecdotal info you want to add?

I am so excited to meet you and your family! I look forward to getting to know you and your student’s unique interests as we work together!

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