Location: North Zulch, Texas
Education: B.S., M.Ed from Texas A&M University
Years Experience Teaching: 30
Years Experience In Dyslexia: 9
Teaching Experience
22 years in self-contained classrooms- all grades Kindergarten through 5th grade
8 years experience as an Instructional and Reading Curriculum Specialist, including Dyslexia Therapy
Professional Affiliations
ALTA- Academic Language Therapy Association
IDA – International Dyslexia Association
TRTA- Texas Retired Teachers Association
Programs Trained In
Take Flight – Scottish Rite for Children
MTA – Multi-Sensory Teaching Approach
Age Range You Feel Most Comfortable With:
1st thru 8th grade
Why did you decide to become a CALT?
Through many years of working with young children, I experienced how much reading impacts the success of a student. Instilling a love of reading gives a child a head start on expanding their vocabulary and building independence, self-confidence, and social-emotional skills. Unfortunately, for those students who experience difficulties, they develop a resistance and avoidance to the reading process. Learning to read is a very personal experience and I wanted to better understand what the brain was doing during reading and why it functioned differently for some children. I quickly learned that this was going to my path for helping struggling students experience the opportunities of being becoming a reader.
Favorite moment working with dyslexic students?
Without a doubt, my favorite moment is when a child is able to read through a list of words on their own. Seeing the thrill and excitement of a whole new world opening itself up for them; they develop the confidence to take risks and begin to see themself as a reader.
Your goal when working with kids with dyslexia?
I believe that students need to learn early on to advocate for themselves and we talk a lot about the importance of asking questions and for assistance when needed. Mistakes are simply opportunities to learn. I remind them often that my job is to guide and support them while they do the learning. I will ask them questions that will help them discover their path to becoming a reader and be beside them to support and cheer them on.
Your teaching style, personality?
I strive to show my love of learning and teaching through my daily interactions with the students. We always start our time together sharing something funny or personal so that we are developing a safe, nurturing learning environment. I am structured, yet encouraging and patient. Communication is important and I work hard to keep parents informed of their students needs and progress. I maintain high expectations for my students.
Any family details?
My husband, David, and I are blessed with a loving family. Still at home with us is our beloved 15 year old Yorki-Poo dog named Benny. We have two married children, who have given us three amazing grand-boys. We love that we have been able to raise our children surrounded by our extended family and still spend time together as often as we can.
Any extra anecdotal info you want to add?
I retired from public school teaching in January 2023. We are in the process of transitioning back to our home base in Central Texas. This means that we live in Richardson, Texas part of the week and travel to our farm for the last part of each week. I have two offices set-up so my backdrop changes and the students love to guess where am at.
