Dyslexia advocates speak up in community conversation

Caleb Ferring, a teacher and coach at Allamakee Community School District, learned about dyslexia through a one-hour training module as part of required continuing education. 

“That was the first time I was educated about dyslexia, and I’m an educator. I have a master’s degree,” he said during a community discussion about dyslexia in Waukon last week. 

After studying the learning disability, he started to wonder if his own challenges could be attributed to it. The father of four was placed in a special education classroom during his childhood. Caleb and his family travelled to Rochester, MN, where his daughter was screened for being at high risk of dyslexia, and he was evaluated and diagnosed. 

It’s not uncommon. Dyslexia affects an estimated 20% of people according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. It accounts for 80% of all learning disabilities – and it’s not something children grow out of. 

That’s why a group of parents, teachers like Caleb, and partners of the Allamakee County Community Foundation recently came together. Building on the work of its host foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, the Allamakee Community Foundation is working to understand the local needs around dyslexia services with the goal of building partnerships that can bring resources to the community. Attendees discussed barriers like a lack of understanding of how to spot signs of dyslexia and the travel distance to reach the nearest services.

Erica Nosbisch (pictured above), director of the NICC Waukon Center, shared her own family’s challenges in getting their daughter, who has severe dyslexia, the resources she needs. Like many families in the room, Erica and her daughter spend hours in the car every week traveling to see a special tutor. 

Early screening and the right kind of support and instruction can put kids with dyslexia on the path to success. Donna Loewen, a retired educator and principal who now works with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, shared success stories from a tutoring initiative the Community Foundation recently launched in Dubuque. So far, 17 tutors have been trained. Another training will be held next year, so more parents, educators and caring community members can help people address the challenges dyslexia presents. 

The Foundation partners with Heidi Stoffel, who founded Aspire Academy in Des Moines and helped found Aspire Northeast in Dubuque. Heidi’s brother and son had severe dyslexia, and she was determined to make a difference. She quit her professional career and began researching how to spot signs of dyslexia in children, studying the science behind the learning disability, and learning the skills to help those kids meet their goals. 

Allamakee County schools are working to raise awareness among educators and incorporating the science of reading, a teaching method that empowers all students to succeed. The conversation in Waukon centered around training local tutors, making screening and tutoring available in the county, and sharing information for parents.

If interested in tutoring services, screening, or becoming a tutor, contact Loewen at donna@dbqfoundation.org or call 563.588.2700. 

The Allamakee County Community Foundation offers many opportunities to improve quality of life by addressing an array of local issues. To learn more about how you can establish a fund or make a gift that impacts your community, contact Betty Steege, executive director, at 563-586-2046, or visit dbqfoundation.org/accf