Community members needed to support struggling readers

During Dyslexia Awareness Month in October, newly-certified dyslexia tutor Nikki Breimon was busy settling her St. Pat’s preschool classroom into a new school year. Even after she went home in the evenings, her work as an educator continued as she provided much-needed services to the community.

Breimon recently graduated from a 60-hour training course offered by Aspire Academy Northeast in partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College-Waukon Center, with funding support from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.

“I have always loved to read, and I want to share that love of reading,” she explains. “I already tutor during the summer, so what a wonderful opportunity to help a dyslexic reader become more confident.” 

Breimon also plans to incorporate some of the strategies she’s learned in her classroom of young preschoolers beginning their literacy journey.

One in five children in America is dyslexic, and 80% of struggling learners have undiagnosed dyslexia according to The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity. At the same time, services are limited in Northeast Iowa. That’s why the Community Foundation is offering scholarships for community members to become dyslexia tutors, providing children across its seven-county region access to tutoring closer to home. 

“I never realized how many people are dyslexic,” Breimon reflects. “It makes me think about past students that were struggling and wonder if they might be dyslexic.”

Currently, Breimon is the only tutor in Waukon who has trained with Aspire. She recently screened and started to tutor a student exhibiting dyslexic traits.  

“I am thoroughly enjoying my time tutoring him and breaking down words along with focusing on letter sounds. We know what to expect during our time, and it flows nicely,” says Breimon. Tutors use a special teaching method that organizes lessons in a predictable manner that is beneficial for students as well as tutors. “I am so happy I took the summer class with Heidi and started this journey!”

A new cohort of tutors will be trained this winter based on interest. If you are interested in becoming a tutor or learning more about screening and tutoring services offered through Aspire, contact Katie Redington, Administrator, at 515-249-8286.

To learn more about the common symptoms of dyslexia, visit dubuque.aspireiowa.com/resource/free-dyslexia-checklist.