Desi Bissell

About Desi

Desi Bissell’s journey as a Davis Dyslexia Facilitator began with her oldest son. As he started school, she noticed her bright, inventive, and intuitive child becoming increasingly overwhelmed and frustrated. Although his grade one teacher recognized his struggles with learning to read, the school was unable to fully grasp the challenges he faced. Knowing her son’s intelligence, Desi felt isolated as she searched for ways to support him.

Determined to help, she took a job at a phonics reading center to learn more about how she could assist her son. While he made progress, Desi observed that his gains were hard-won and that any lapse in practice led to regression. This inconsistency puzzled her, particularly given his strengths in other areas. Her search for answers led her to Ron Davis’s book "The Gift of Dyslexia," recommended by her boss. The book not only explained her son’s struggles but also shed light on her own challenges with reading comprehension and retention in high school. She discovered that both she and her son were dyslexic.

This realization prompted Desi to pursue training as a Davis Dyslexia Facilitator. After completing the training, she provided her son with the Davis program and was amazed to see him progress from reading at a grade 3 level to his actual grade 6 level within a week. This experience confirmed her belief that while phonics-based programs have their merits, they weren’t suited to the dyslexic, picture-thinking minds she and her son share.

With 8 years of experience teaching speech, language, and reading at the phonics centre, and 8 years as an Educational Assistant in a prekindergarten class focused on special needs, Desi developed a deep understanding that learning should be fun, engaging, and tailored to the individual student. She also realized that a "learning disability" is often more about how one teaches rather than how one learns.

Since 2019, Desi has been a Davis Dyslexia Facilitator and the founder of Inspired Learning Solutions. She is continuously inspired by her amazing clients—their curiosity and unique perspectives fuel her passion. Desi is dedicated to helping individuals with learning challenges understand their minds and unlock their potential, guiding them beyond their struggles to discover new possibilities through the Davis methods that have profoundly impacted her life and her son’s.