About Me

Want to confidently participate in MTSS and Special Education systems from the parent or teacher perspective? Feeling frustrated by all the “data” that is expected or being introduced? All we really want is for the students to get what they need in a timely manner! Is that too much to ask?????

If that is the way you feel, then you are in the right place! Here, we work together to help parents and teachers confidently participate with MTSS and Special Education teams so that students receive the interventions and supports they need to be successful. We believe that all students can learn and reach with potential, if they are provided with the supports they need.

What brought me here?

I was six years old when I was diagnosed with dyslexia. Half-way through first grade, I knew 13 letters and 6 sounds. You would think my teachers would have been pushing for me to get extra help…

I had all my teachers fooled!

They thought I could read! How in the world did I get diagnosed? One day, I came home from school, threw my backpack down and yelled, “I can’t read! I need help!”
     My grandmother (Bangy, you’ll hear more about her later) loved telling that story. She thought that it symbolized me well. Perhaps, the jury is still out in my opinion, but that moment was a turning point in my life. That was the point when the adults in my life realized that something was wrong. They got me the help I needed. My grandparents helped my mom pay for tutoring for me. Within a year, I was on grade level and loved reading AND writing. 

A start of a great adventure

     At 6 years old, I vowed to become a teacher. I wanted to prevent kids from being as frustrated and angry as I was at not being able to read. 
     Fifteen years later, I graduated college, having earned a bachelors in psychology and special education and initial teacher licensure. These items would allow me to teach elementary and/or special education. More importantly, those pieces of paper were what I thought was the fulfillment of my vow to dedicate myself to helping kids learn how to read. The rest was going to be a piece of cake! (HA! Boy was I wrong!)
     Eleven years later, I have taught…

• Kindergarten Special Ed
• 1st grade Special Ed and General Ed
• 2nd grade General Ed
• EBD (Emotional and Behavioral Disturbance)
• Fully self-contained
• High School (9-12) Special Ed Consultation, Resource
• High School (9-12) modified curriculum (Biology, Earth and Space Science, Integrated Science, English 1 through 4)

2 Conclusions

• I get to participate in the absolute BEST profession in the world!
• There are still too many kids not learning to read at the level they need to be successful in life. 

I have some ideas…

I have a couple ideas for what they are and how to get kids where they need to be. Together, we can revolutionize education for all kids. I also think that, without a doubt, the kids and our future is worth it.