I am a qualified teacher with a Level 7 Diploma in Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention. I began my career as a primary school teacher. After a break of a few years to raise my two sons, I spent 16 years working for the local education authority as a specialist teacher in a Dyslexia Base in Hertfordshire. My work at the base gave me a wide experience of working with children with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, ADHD, speech and language difficulties and autism. We hosted numerous courses for teachers and teaching assistants, led by well-known authors and leading experts in these fields and I gained a wide knowledge of the various specific learning difficulties from listening to these professionals.
I have had the privilege of working with many exceptionally talented visual learners who after years of traditional teaching have still found reading, writing and spelling incredibly difficult. With the continuing emphasis in schools on phonics, phonics and yet more phonics, many visually talented and creative youngsters are failing to discover the joy of reading. Stuck with this default phonic method of decoding, these children are unable to recognise everyday words such as “come, was and they”. The list is endless; in fact there are over 200 words of this nature which cannot be decoded using phonics and do not bring to mind a visual picture in the way that words like “tree, table and book” can. The persistent use of phonic methods in schools is leaving many children ill-equipped to tackle the school curriculum.
In 2009 I began my Davis training and in 2011 moved to part-time work as a primary school SENCo, (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). It is only since training to be a Davis Facilitator that I have finally found a rational and successful answer to the enigma of Dyslexia. What intrigues me most about the Davis method is that it is so different from every other approach. It strips away all the unnecessary “clutter”: the failure, frustration and negativity, and has an almost immediate positive effect upon self-esteem. Sitting opposite the child, young person or adult, rapport is quickly established, No fidget toys or equipment are necessary, just a lump of plasticine and a cutter!
I am passionate about helping children learn to read and volunteer each week at my local primary school where the youngest children love to spend time reading to me or simply talking about their books.
I live with my husband in a small village in Bedfordshire, approximately 2 miles from the A1 and a mainline railway station. I work from home but I am happy to travel short distances in order to facilitate Davis programmes.
Licensed to provide:
Licensed since: October 31, 2011
Certifications:
Travel: I am willing to travel to clients
Online services: I coach online or in person
Delivery Languages: EnglishEnglish
Can you believe our son got an A* in English Language? Also an A in Drama and an A in Environmental Studies. You were very much a part of our early journey. I always think of you with great affection - you were so kind and helped us so much. [email from the mother of one of my clients, aged 16, whom I worked with when he was 9 years old.]
Our daughter has thoroughly enjoyed the week and has already gained so much from you. I have to say how patient, kind and thorough you are - I can clearly see how much you enjoy delivering the programme and you really are very skilled at it. I will most definitely pass on your details! It has been really lovely to watch her learn and I have also learnt such a lot from listening to you and watching you. [email from the mother of a 13 year-old client of mine, half way through the Davis Maths Programme.]
Since his Davis programme with you our son is calmer, more able to concentrate, easier, more mature and less volatile at home. He has just finished the first Harry Potter book - something I could never imagine him doing a few months ago. He’s lost his fear of writing, last year he would throw himself on the floor if I asked him to write a single word!
The big miracle came when he asked to go to his sister’s school concert - something I just wouldn't have wanted to take him to before - I'd be afraid he'd fidget, get bored, and generally stress me out. But he sat and listened to the whole orchestral concert - 1 hour and 15 minutes! I was thrilled - especially when all the other younger siblings I could see had books and DS's. I allowed myself to feel smug just for a second! [email from the mother one of my client’s aged 8]
I thought that you might like to hear that our son, who you helped 8 years ago, has got his A level results - an A in History, a B in Politics and a B in Economics. He’s going to study History and Politics at university. We are delighted. He appreciates all the help you gave him and acknowledges how much it helped him. [email from the mother of one of my clients aged 16]
I thought you would be interested to know that our son was tested recently to see if he was still entitled to extra time in his exams. He has actually improved so much that he no longer needs extra time! (He is rather gutted but recognises that this is also something to be very pleased about!) The Special Education Needs teacher at the school told me she had never seen a child improve so much. [email from the mother of one of my clients aged 16]
