Marla Verdone is a proud Davis® Facilitator and Coach. She is also the Director of JUST IMAGINE Solutions in Wisconsin.
Marla has always had an interest in learning, advocating and working with creative learning. She attended University of Wisconsin Rock County, Northeastern University and has a BFA from The Art Institute of Boston. She served on the Board of Directors for children’s groups and an interest advocating for specialized medical and educational rights. Marla is also a military wife, mother and grandmother.
As a parent and teacher, she could not understand why her own bright and creative child was having such difficulty with reading and math. She always felt that her daughter demonstrated the strengths of a dyslexic learning style, and phonic methods were tried without success.
Marla found the book, The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald Dell Davis and felt that it accurately described her daughter and frustrations with letters, numerals, balance, focusing, sensitivities and hearing. Marla then decided to contact a Davis® Facilitator and her daughter attended a Davis Dyslexia Program and later a Davis Math Program. It was then that Marla understood that her daughter was a gifted picture thinker.
The Davis programs changed her child's life and family forever! Her daughter went from being a frustrated learner with balance issues, lots of sensory meltdowns to a honor roll student, a competitive figure skater and leader. Her daughter now uses her strengths, gifts and focus tools for her life.
Marla watched her daughter’s success but still saw others struggle. Teachers and her family Pediatrician were interested in finding out what helped her daughter and heard stories from other families that were similar. She wanted to help and became a Davis Facilitator to help make a good change in the world.
Marla enjoys working with neurodiverse creative thinkers and helping them reach their goals. She feels very privileged to share and witness the life changes with each client as they move onto the next chapters of their lives with an open book of possibilities!
Licensed to provide:
Licensed since: November 15, 2010
Travel: I am willing to travel to clients
Online services: I coach online or in person
Delivery Languages: EnglishEnglish
My Davis Program changed my life! Life and everything got better! I was able to do my artwork again and also stay at a job. I realized all the things that would disorient me like especially time pressure. For the first time I understood how my brain thinks, and I was able to stick up for myself when others doubted me and to know my talents. Before people would correct me and I had no idea what I did that they considered wrong. It’s not wrong I just do things differently.
Aaron – adult client
The Davis program gave me a way for my life dream! I graduated from High School but unable to read or write. I was a troublemaker I didn’t mind being kicked out of school because it was easier than learning. I was unable to read to fill out a job application. My sister found a video of Ron Davis talking on the internet and then found Marla. I now focus and can read and write. Marla helped me figure out what I wanted next and that required more education. I got enrolled in a college program and graduated. Marc – adult client
We have had nothing by success with our son! Marla continues to educate herself so there are always new skills and concepts to be learned.
Erin – mother
My daughter made a connection! Our daughter has always been determined but she knew there were things that were harder than she felt they should be. She left the program feeling validated for her struggles but also renewed in understanding her gifts and learning.
Michelle – mother
My program helped me reach my full potential! I was able to feel comfortable enough to make that next step to college with the techniques I learned in the program. I was able to feel focused for learning. I ended up on the college Dean's List!
Theresa – adult client
It’s never too late to learn! I can hear better, I feel calm; my reading is better and for the first time the words don’t move on the page. I found out words have spaces and they are not all squished together like I thought. I am focused and feel more confident. My speech is clearer, and everyone sees a good difference in me.
Joe – adult
I now do other things then just homework! My grades are great now and I can be in school clubs. Most important I get to play sports again!
Reggie – teen client
I feel more awake and alert in my learning! Reading used to be hard. I would miss words, see them wrong or not know what they mean. I was frustrated. Now my thinking is clearer and calmer.
Julia - teen client
The tools are easy, and I can stay calm! Reading and writing are easier, and I don’t make as many mistakes. I am a great picture thinker and can learn anything with clay.
Josie- child client
No more headaches when reading! When reading I used to see wrong words, skip lines and words would move on the page. Reading made me dizzy and gave me migraines. Now I can read without words moving and can control my energy.
Melissa - child client
I am so happy that I can learn! I got better at reading and thinking so I can remember to write and spell. I learned tools to help myself calm down and reading is easier.
Zach –child client
I know I can learn and master anything! The words would swirl or disappear off the page or my thinking would just go blank. Time seemed very long. Driving was difficult. Paperwork at my job was difficult. Now I have confidence, Driving is more comfortable, no more anxiety with learning and I can run my business better because now I can keep written records and have organizational skills. This program changed my life!
Kathryn – adult client
My daughter was reading a full page in a chapter book on the 2nd day of her program, and she couldn’t wait to show me. Her progress in one week was remarkable. Weeks later we realized she no longer had balance issues, no meltdowns from sensory overload and she had tools to keep calm. It was worth every penny spent because the program addressed my daughter’s struggles. She now has a whole new way for independent learning for a lifetime.
Ann – mother
Our son’s life has been completely changed! The strategies learned are still being used and our family is truly grateful. Our son does his homework and reads for pleasure. He has also made the honor roll at school.
Curt and Victoria - client parents
