My Story: Why I Do This Work

I’ve been an educator for over 20 years, with 14 of those years spent as an elementary classroom teacher. During that time, I saw many children struggle with reading, but one student in particular changed everything for me. He was bright and eager, yet he fell behind because of his reading difficulties, despite the efforts of his parents, teachers, and tutors. In the end, he failed the school year. At the time, he had never received specialized support, and what worked for other students simply did not work for him. Looking back, I realize he probably had dyslexia. At the time, I was not trained to help students like him. I felt helpless and I knew I had to find a better way.

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This desire led me back to school, where I earned my Master’s in Education and certification as a reading specialist. During my reading specialist internship, I was introduced to the Wilson Reading System®, and I saw firsthand how it truly worked. Students with dyslexia could learn to read and move forward with confidence. That experience inspired me to pursue further training, and I became a Certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner.

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Since 2018, I have been in private practice helping students with dyslexia. I will never forget my first success story. A fourth grader came to me unable to read, and her parents were convinced she never would. Slowly, with the right approach, she began to make progress. Her parents told me, “This is the first time we’ve had hope.” That moment confirmed what I had come to believe: with the right support, every student can learn to read.

This also reminded me of that earlier student, the one I could not help at the time. For years, I carried the weight of feeling like I had failed him. Today, that memory motivates me because now I have the tools to help the very students I once could not reach.

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Today, I work with students who often come to me feeling defeated. Many have failed a grade. Many believe they are not smart. As a result, parents are worried about their child’s future. Once intervention begins, something starts to change. Reading and spelling begin to get easier, and their scores improve as a result. They begin to feel proud of themselves. Many even begin to enjoy reading. Their parents also start to feel more at peace.

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If your child is struggling and nothing seems to be working, I want you to know that there is a way forward. I have seen what is possible. I have walked this path with many families, and I would be honored to walk it with yours.

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