Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Education: BS – University of Findlay; Teaching Cert. – iTeach TX; Take Flight Certified CALT – MCA MTT (McKinney Christian Academy Multisensory Teacher Training)
Years Experience Teaching: 7
Years Experience In Dyslexia: 5
Teaching Experience
I am a Certified Texas Teacher and CALT (Certified Academic Language Therapist) with 7 years of mainstream classroom teaching experience, primarily in the 6th grade. The past 5 years I have provided dyslexia therapy for students. I have proudly been providing services through Dyslexia on Demand for a year now, and I absolutely love being able to expand my expertise through one-on-one therapy with my students.
Professional Affiliations
ALTA (Academic Language Therapy Association)
ALTA – LA Board Member
Texas Education Agency
Programs Trained In
Take Flight (Scottish Rite)
Age Range You Feel Most Comfortable With:
All Ages (most experience with 4th-8th)
Why did you decide to become a CALT?
Prior to becoming Take Flight trained, I taught 6th grade Reading Language Arts where I was constantly puzzled how to best help my struggling readers. A struggling reader myself in school, I related to my students and tried to find different ways to help them; but it just never seemed like enough. Knowing very little about dyslexia at the time, I asked every reading teacher where I could learn more about the science of reading. When the one dyslexia therapist position became available on our small junior high campus, I was eager to make a true difference in students’ lives and beyond grateful that the torch was passed on to me. When I began training to become a CALT at MCA MTT, it was the education about reading I had always been looking for. The more I learned about dyslexia and The Scottish Rite Take Flight program, the more passionate I became. Looking back, I see how it is exactly what the Lord had planned for me all along and what I didn’t know I would need to help my own kids. It is my privilege to provide therapy to students with dyslexia.
Favorite moment working with dyslexic students?
A lot happens in a student’s life between 6th grade and high school, and being a witness to the transformation brings me true joy. Whether it be a major lightbulb moment, or the moment they realize I’m there to help and not judge or criticize, or when they take pride in having dyslexia and teach others about it, or when a student begs to continue reading a book, or the moment they decide to take ownership of their weaknesses, or at the end of the year when pride and confidence beam on their faces after seeing their growth data, I love being a part of it all. I’ve moved classrooms and now to another state, but there is always a space in my office for the trinkets and notes from my students.
Your goal when working with kids with dyslexia?
It is my goal to build an independent and confident person. To accomplish this, I give my students the tools they need to take ownership and pride in their dyslexia so they can have the freedom to be successful at anything they choose. The Take Flight program incorporates many different aspects to build student awareness, providing them the knowledge to identify what tools to use or when to speak up and advocate for themselves.
Your teaching style, personality?
I want to enjoy my time with my students and for them to enjoy their time with me. I am flexible to student needs, sarcastic, and silly at times. I don’t mind being open and honest about my own faults or mistakes; I think it’s important for children to see that it’s normal – dyslexic or not. I adapt as needed for the greatest benefit and comfort of my students.
Any family details?
I am married to my wonderful supportive husband. We have a 13yro daughter who loves playing softball and baking, a 7yro son who loves being in Boy Scouts and training our dogs, and a 3yro daughter who loves animals and anything purple. We also have two dogs: a Dalmatian (my childhood dream) named Tech, and a French Bulldog/Corgi named Taureaux (aka Torpedo because that’s what my son says he looks like when he runs). I also love training horses, doing crafts/decorating projects, and playing the viola/violin.
