I am so grateful that my mom saw me. Every child deserves someone to truly see them!
A few things I believe to be true about reading:
Everyone should know the basic building blocks of how kids learn to read. Every child deserves to learn to read.
Reading is too important to be anything but free! Literacy is a gatekeeper in our society, and all kids deserve to be let in. I will never ask you to buy something, subscribe, or spam you with emails. This site and the resources I've created are 100% free.
Just reading to our littles isn't enough. We have to expose our little ones to foundational reading skills for long-term success in school.
More than anything in their reading journey, kids need to feel seen. They need a safe place, where they feel loved. When we put the fun and joy first, the reading will come. As a parent or caretaker, we are our children's most important educational advocates. My mom saw my struggle and was able to get me the help I needed. She was and always will be my greatest advocate.
Why me?
I have Dyslexia, a neurodiversity that can make learning to read challenging. It shaped how I viewed myself in school. I constantly compared myself and wondered why reading was so hard for me.
I have been a teacher for 11 years. I teach first grade because I love playing a role in shaping how littles feel about themselves as readers. I spend every day living my dream with the best tiny humans. I have won awards such as, Texas Region 7 Teacher of the Year, SFA Mentor Teacher of the Year, and most recently was named the 2024 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year.
I have become obsessed with teaching kids how to read. I got my Master's Degree which allowed me to become a certified reading specialist and I have taken over 150 hours of reading professional development courses. While I have many passions in education, literacy always has to be the most important.
When I taught my daughter how to read, I was overwhelmed by all the programs, games, and products to buy. I decided to just stick to what I know works in my classroom and do a low-prep routine.
She is reading better at 4 than I was at 8. This has brought us so much closer and given me confidence as her mom. I want everyone to have that feeling.
At the Cecil J. Picard Award Gala
Photograph by TruNola
Remember, it's all about the connection
Photograph by Tim Muller Photography
How can this be free?
The Academic Distinction Fund funded my grant proposal for $5,700 allowing me to create physical kits to include everything you need to get started. Their board chair, Jamey Firnberg, even loaned me his studio for filming!
After doing this routine with your little one after at least a month, please fill out this survey! Every survey filled out will help improve the kits and online resources, and potentially allow me to receive even more funding.
I have some amazing villagers ! Laura Vance, who even made this website! Volunteers from First Presbyterian helped build the kits with me!