Tiffany Flanders

B.A. Special Education Studies

CALT (Dyslexia Therapist) Certification in progress

Background Information:

My journey with reading started almost 13 years ago when I went to an interview at an elementary school hoping to land a job as a computer teacher.  Instead I was offered a position to work with the reading specialist for the school and my passion for teaching reading was ignited!  

I have five girls.  Yes, five girls!  Of my five girls, two of them have dyslexia.  Being a mom to dyslexic learners has given me the unique opportunity to see and experience what is required to educate children who learn differently.  I have a great amount of empathy for their struggles and the struggles of parents and guardians who are trying desperately to help them be successful in academic settings.  

Education:

I have a Bachelor's degree in Special Education Studies.   In June of 2022 I started my certification to become a dyslexia therapist, also known as a C.A.L.T (Certified Academic Language Therapist.) I am completing my dyslexia therapy certification through Denver Dyslexia Partners. For more information about what is required for me to be a certified dyslexia therapist please click on this link. 

I will be completing my Orton Gillingham certification by the end of 2022 as well.  While the program that I use as a Dyslexia Therapist is Orton Gillingham based and is an incredible tool for administering dyslexia therapy I would like to have knowledge in all the programs offered for struggling readers so that I can truly tailor a tutoring session to meet your readers specific needs. 

Continuing Education:

Academic Language Therapy Program, 

Applied Literacy Intervention Year 1, Denver Dyslexia Partners

This course focuses on the applied principles of evidence based simultaneous, multisensory structured language instruction.  This program teaches certifying dyslexia therapists how to deliver and utilize Take Flight:  A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia.  

To progress in the program and advance to year 2 I had to demonstrate an understanding of components of simultaneous multisensory structured language instruction.  This language instruction includes multisensory structured language instruction:

Phonological processing and phonology, alphabetic principle, six

syllable types, syllable division, accuracy and automaticity,

fluency, prosody, vocabulary, semantics, morphology, syntax,

handwriting, comprehension.  I gained use and mastery of structured literacy methods that are direct, systematic, sequential, and cumulative in nature and finally I learned to create a nurturing environment where students feel safe to take risks and anxiety is effectively reduced while teaching to the whole child and learning to differentiate instruction through a therapeutic lens.

We studied the following texts in the first year course:

• Avrit, Karen E. (2006). Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia, Teacher’s Edition First Year Kit.

• Dallas: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. www.tsrh.org;

214-559-7800 Contact: Priscilla Snipes, Materials Coordinator:

priscilla.snipes@tsrh.org

• Birsh, Judith R. (2011). Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language

Skills, 4th Edition. Baltimore. Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

• Louise Spear-Swerling. (2018).  Structured Literacy and Typical Literacy Practices: Understanding

Differences to Create Instructional Opportunities’

Teaching Every Reader, Geiger and Spence

This course teaches oral language, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.  

Learning Ally, Spotlight on Dyslexia

This conference covers all things Dyslexia and teaching students with Dyslexia.  This conference is separated into sessions with different field experts giving presentations.  

Building Readers for Life, Hosted by The Literacy Nest

This conference has 15 different presenters with expertise in literacy and dyslexia.  

Texts I have studied on dyslexia and other reading difficulties:

Kilpatrick, D. (2015). Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties.

Kilpatrick, David. (2016). Equipped for Reading Success. A Comprehensive, Step-by-Step Program for Developing Phonemic Awareness and Fluent Word Recognition. John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Mather, N. & Wendling, B.  (2012).  Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention.  John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Shaywitz S & Shaywitz J. (2021). Overcoming Dyslexia Second Edition. Vintage Books.

I am passionate about reading and helping those who struggle with it to find their way.  I will work hard to ensure that your student walks away confident in their ability to read!