Teach Me Differently

What a bittersweet day for me! Lilly has been with me since almost the beginning of this passion I love so much! In fact, the lady who created my logo is the one who referred me. Back then, she was a shy, little girl in pigtail braids who couldn’t recognize and write her letters or tell you the sounds. Today, she is a beautiful, young lady who reads as well as I do. Even better, she loves to read and even started her own book club with friends. 📚

I’m so proud of the hard work she has put in to get to where she is today. I tell my students and their parents all the time that while they may be so grateful for the guidance I give, I cannot do in one hour a week what it takes to make a real difference. Real growth comes from kids who persevere and parents who are in it with them, no matter how long it takes.

Lilly, I’m so proud! What a joy and privilege it has been to be an early character in the story God is writing of your life! One day, when you’re teaching your own children to read, I pray you’ll look back fondly on the time we shared together and recognize as I do the amazing privilege you have to grow a reader! I love you more than you know! ❤️

Such a great article about the reading crisis in America! 🎯

Listen to: Why so many American kids are struggling to learn how to read — and how to fix that — Apple News In Conversation For decades, educators have disagreed over how to teach children to read. After the pandemic, an evidence-based approach is gaining popularity.

It’s time to brag on Sweet Sadie! This girl is something else. She came to me several years ago struggling significantly with the more negative traits of dyslexia. Her reading was well below grade level and her spelling was almost inelligible. She turned her wrist in such a way that she wrote her words in a vertical position rather than horizontal. But more than anything, she lacked confidence that she could ever do better!

But this girl also strongly exhibited the beautiful traits of dyslexia. She’s wonderfully imaginative, beautifully creative, strongly empathetic (especially with animals), and an interesting conversationalist. That girl can do some talking! Did I mention she’s a gorgeous dancer?

She’s worked so hard and has now graduated the program. I’m so proud of the amazing progress she has made in all areas of literacy, but watching her be confident in her ability to do it has brought me to tears on more than one occasion. I’ll miss my Thursday mornings with her.

Sadie, keep being exactly who God created you to be. There’s no better version of YOU! You are going to do big things one day and I’ll be here cheering you on!

Who can relate?

Did you know that most dyslexics also have ADHD? This video might be helpful to some of you.

❤️

I signed for a package last week.
The delivery guy said, “DiCamillo?”
I said, “Yes.”
“Wait,” he said. “Did you write Because of Winn-Dixie?”
“I did.”
“Oh, wow,” he said. “My third grade teacher read that book to us. I’ll never forget it.”
And then he smiled at me—this radiant, beautiful smile—and I suddenly saw him as an eight-year old kid, sitting in class, listening to a story.
That man’s third-grade teacher is out there somewhere, and I wanted to let her know this: he remembers. He remembers you reading to him.
Happy New Year.

“Dart between the raindrops” ❤️

This is the best news I’ve heard all year!!! If I’ve had the honor of working with your child, you might recognize “The Literacy Nest” as I use so much of her material. Way to go Gwinnett County!

Please - Walton County - follow suit! I can think of no better reason for me to go out of business.