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Dyslexia Therapy Reimagined

Rhonda Van Sickle

Location: Dallas, Texas

Education: BA from DBU; Masters from UNT; CALT from SMU

Years Experience Teaching: 30

Years Experience In Dyslexia: 8

Teaching Experience

I have taught in Public school, Private school, homeschool, ESL in the workplace, College freshman, Online and in person simultaneously, and online. Moat of my teaching has been in the Elementary setting. But, I have taught students in high school.

Professional Affiliations

I am member of ALTA, the National association of certified academic language therapists.

Programs Trained In

MTA, Alphabetic Phonics, Take Flight

Age Range You Feel Most Comfortable With:
early elementary and middle elementary students

Why did you decide to become a CALT?

I wanted to help those children who wanted to read so badly, but could not learn the way they were being taught. I also wanted to teach those children who thought learning to read was impossible. I know the statistics of those in prison and in the juvenile system and what a difference learning to read makes in terms of the choices it gives one. I truly believe that teaching reading saves lives!

Favorite moment working with dyslexic students?

when they blend their first word; when they read a book by themselves for the first time; when they use their coding skills just like they have been taught to successfully decode an unfamiliar word; when I happen to run into them years later and they tell me of their successes.

Your goal when working with kids with dyslexia?

First, that each child has value and worth whether or not they ever learn to read. Then, to find the way that they learn so they can be successful in learning to read — all the while, building their confidence and enhancing their concept of learning and love for reading.

Your teaching style, personality?

I love the discovery method that Take Flight incorporates into learning. I am genuinely interested in my students’ lives. I aim to be encouraging and love to reward my students for goals that they meet ( like mastering Instant Words, or completing a Mastery Check) . I tend to be strict about learning things the right way as it takes so much longer to relearn a skill that has been practiced incorrectly. I love books and hope that my joy in reading is passed along to my students.

Any family details?

I have been happily married to my college sweetheart for more than 40 years. Our 4 children were all homeschooled and grew up to be loving, productive, life-long learners (and they even like each other!) My parents, brother and sister also live in Central Texas for which I am very grateful.

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