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Welcome to Keep Reading and Learning! My name is Katie and I’m a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist and a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner.
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education, I dedicated over 18 years to special education in high-needs districts. The majority of my career has been spent mainly with third graders who were emerging readers. In 2022, I chose to leave my long-time position for several reasons. Since leaving behind the stress of my previous position, I’ve found the mental space I needed to dedicate to this website and my TPT store.
Around 2012, I began to realize that I did not have the knowledge I needed to effectively service my students with reading disabilities. I still remember the day that I read an outside evaluation that identified the child with double-deficit dyslexia and made recommendations for their services. I had no idea what double deficit dyslexia was and I didn’t understand what the recommendations meant. Back then, my reading instruction consisted of getting leveled books from the book room and making comprehension lessons to go with them. I cringe now to think of the time I wasted with those poor kids, but I was implementing the skills I learned in college. I thought I was doing the right thing but I was yet another well-meaning teacher whose college education had failed to prepare her for teaching reading.
Shortly after reading that report, which made me feel inadequate as a teacher, I began to read more about dyslexia. I am so grateful that I experienced this turning point because it has taken me on a fascinating journey of discovery. I completed IMSE’s 30-hour Comprehensive Orton Gillingham training and noticed immediate results when I brought those strategies to my students. After that, I was hooked.
Next, I took a 3 credit course on dyslexia and another on identifying specific learning disabilities in English language learners. I read studies, I read these books, and I kept data on what was working for my students. I didn’t even know the phrases “science of reading” or “structured literacy” yet but I was all in!
My most recent endeavor was Wilson Reading System Level 1 Certification. I completed the program in 2024 and earned the title of Certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. I used the practicum hours, combined with my passing score on the KPEERI exam, to become a Certified Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist recognized by the International Dyslexia Association. After earning these new credentials, I took a leap and went into private practice as a dyslexia interventionist for local homeschool families.
My TPT store began with only syllable division slide decks but has grown to include many other categories of resources, including decodable text, phonics units & assessments, strategies for aligning your high-frequency word instruction with your phonics instruction, resources to support Wilson teachers, and even a few math resources!
Thank you for being here! If you have any requests for future blog posts or new products, please reach out. If I can make your request, you will receive it for free in exchange for your feedback.
