Most college and university early education training programs do not teach students how to teach reading. And, many teachers must seek additional training in specific reading instruction. And when it comes to supporting children with dyslexia, the training is required even more.
Bringing local awareness is the International Dyslexia Association - Georgia chapter, a branch of the global scientific and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia and related language-based learning differences.
“Many families only discover this learning difference when a child hits a wall trying to read, write or spell,” said Karen Huppertz, president of IDA-Georgia Board of Directors. “Our goal through this chapter is to increase public awareness of dyslexia and help provide evidence-based teacher training that helps struggling readers.” Dyslexia affects about 20 percent of the population.
The all-volunteer run IDA-Georgia chapter works hard to support parents, educators, and individuals with dyslexia through community outreach efforts. On Oct. 14, at Perimeter Mall, hundreds of runners gathered to raise funds and awareness for the learning disability at the Dyslexia Dash 5K.
The funds raised will support the organization’s scholarship programs that helps teachers to attend various trainings and conferences; host more than 35 free community outreach events throughout the state; and support partners such as Reading Is Essential for All People.
This year, REAP’s summer camp supported 43 struggling readers from Burgess-Peterson Academy and Atlanta Public Schools, where REAP has been working for the last year and a half. In addition to providing specialized instruction to students, 15 public school teachers attended the camp for hands-on, advanced professional development.
“While it may seem common, dyslexia is still not widely recognized in schools. Many individuals go through life struggling with reading and writing, but not knowing why. Proper identification and remediation start with awareness and advocacy and by partnering together, we can positively impact many people,” said Valerie Green Bratt, who volunteers as an Orton-Gillingham tutor. Orton-Gillingham is a teacher training program provided by IDA-Georgia.
The community at large can get involved with IDA-Georgia to help further its mission. People can volunteer with community outreach events and also fundraise for the organization’s scholarships for trainings and conferences.
“We hope families impacted by this learning difference feel supported and celebrated,” added Huppertz. “Children with dyslexia tend to have average to above average intelligence, yet may feel intellectually inferior without proper instruction that can prevent them from falling behind in the classroom. IDA-Georgia helps students and their families know they are not alone, and that they can and will reach their full potential.”
In other news
Gas South and the Atlanta Braves partnered for Gas South’s Bring the Heat campaign to raise money for various charities throughout the 2017 season. Each time a Braves pitcher struck out an opponent, Gas South contributed $25 towards its select local nonprofit organizations. A total of $30,000 was donated to the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, United Way of Greater Atlanta and Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta. The donations will go towards Financial Emergency Service Centers (Salvation Army), the expansion of youth sports scholarships (YMCA) and the Child Well-Being Impact Fund (United Way of Greater Atlanta).
Information: Email IDA - Georgia at president.ga@dyslexiaIDA.org
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