October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and we want to take this opportunity to share important information about dyslexia and highlight the specialized support offered within Harrison Schools.
Dyslexia: A Different Way of Thinking
Dyslexia is a neurological condition caused by a different wiring of the brain. Importantly, research shows that dyslexia is not related to intelligence. Individuals with dyslexia are just as intelligent as the general population—and some even say the way they think can be a powerful asset for success!
While dyslexia makes learning to read more difficult, with the right instruction and coping strategies, almost all individuals can learn to read and thrive. History is filled with dyslexia success stories, including innovators and creators like Thomas Edison, Steven Spielberg, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Charles Schwab.
Our Commitment to Structured Literacy
For students diagnosed with dyslexia, specialized reading instruction is key. This instruction must be systematic and explicit, focusing on the structure of language, including phonics. You may hear this approach called by many names, such as Structured Literacy, Orton-Gillingham, or Explicit Phonics.
At Harrison Schools, we are proud to use the Take Flight program to provide targeted intervention for our students who show characteristics of dyslexia. We are committed to ensuring that reading is fundamental for every student!
Meet Our Dyslexia Intervention Team
We are fortunate to have a dedicated dyslexia interventionist on every campus, with two specialists at the Middle School, ready to support our struggling readers. We are incredibly proud of the strong intervention program we've built!
Please join us in recognizing and thanking our outstanding team:
Amanda Atkinson, Kindergarten
Missy Taylor, Forest Heights
Kris Styles, Skyline Heights
Jody Morris, Harrison Middle School 5/6
Meagan Walker, Harrison Middle School 7/8
Meg Gibson, Harrison High School
Matt Piper, District Dyslexia Coordinator
We encourage all parents and guardians to learn more about dyslexia and feel free to reach out to your school's interventionist with any questions you may have.