Today, we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Spencer.
Hi Tammy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After over 27 years as an educator in HISD, I witnessed firsthand how broken our public school systems are when it came to providing support to students with learning challenges, especially dyslexia.
Families are not receiving the proper resources and attention for their children, and I was well aware of this issue. As an experienced teacher and mother, it bothered me.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and schools shutting down, I had parents reach out to me personally worried for their child’s academic future–our most vulnerable kids were falling behind and struggling with their literacy skills. I took a leap of faith and opened up my garage apartment to a student diagnosed with dyslexia, and we got right to work. Using personalized multi-sensory, hands-on instruction, we got him reading and decoding in just a matter of weeks. That’s when I realized, “We’re on to something here…”
A few more student success stories later, I opened our first brick and mortar learning center in West University Place and thus–Dyslexia School of Houston was born. As of today, we have helped over 160 students and their families receive dyslexia therapy through our after school programs and annual Summer Literacy Camps.
We are also proud to announce our Dyslexia School of Houston Training Center & Lab School is in progress, which will enable us to train more educators and expand our reach to support even more students in overcoming dyslexia and achieving their full potential. This will be a new, exciting chapter for our mission.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has had its challenges. We’ve had our fair share of the usual “growing pains” as an organization and 501c3 nonprofit.
In addition to the buildout of The Training Center & Lab School, we’ve expanded from our initial location in West University Place to now hosting our professional development programs, Summer Literacy Camp, and significant fundraising efforts as a nonprofit.
Balancing these expansions with our regular after-school programs has been demanding yet very rewarding. Despite these hurdles, we’ve been blessed with strong community support and a dedicated team, allowing us to continue growing and helping more students with dyslexia.
We’ve been impressed with the Dyslexia School of Houston, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
I have dedicated over 27 years to education, primarily within HISD, where I earned the nickname “dyslexia lady” for my commitment to helping students with dyslexia. My journey has been rooted in a passion for literacy and supporting students with learning challenges. Now, as the Founder & CEO of Dyslexia School of Houston, I am proud to apply my experience to lead an organization that makes a real difference in children’s lives.
I opened our first learning center in West U during the pandemic. Since then, we’ve expanded to support over 160 students and their families through after-school programs and our annual Summer Literacy Camps. Living in West University, I am deeply embedded in my community as a wife, mother, friend, and business owner. My mission is to transform lives through literacy and empower students with the tools they need to succeed.
Dyslexia School of Houston is dedicated to being the “first good instruction” for students struggling with literacy skills. We specialize in personalized, multi-sensory instruction designed to help students overcome reading challenges, whether or not they have a formal dyslexia diagnosis. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to each student’s success. We care deeply about every child and will work tirelessly with them, providing the individualized attention they need to thrive.
One of the aspects I am most proud of is our inclusive approach. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to build a strong foundation in reading and writing, regardless of their financial background or school district. Our goal is to reach as many students as possible and equip them with the skills they need for their future.
To achieve this, we rely on the support of our community. Donations and fundraising efforts allow us to offer our programs at low costs to families, ensuring no child is left behind.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Oh, I definitely consider myself a risk-taker! Taking that initial step of opening up my garage apartment to teach a few students how to read, without knowing the outcome, was daunting. I told myself “Am I crazy for doing this?” but something told me this was my calling. And I was absolutely right.
Assessing risk in our business involves evaluating the potential impact on our students and community. If the potential benefits outweigh the uncertainties, it’s a risk worth taking. This mindset has driven our growth and success, proving that sometimes, taking risks can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dyslexiahouston.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiaschoolhtx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dyslexiaschoolhtx
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dyslexia-school-of-houston/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dyslexia_htx
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH46ZN6nCTHpSq7WrPN2DWg
- Other: info@dyslexiahouston.org
Image Credits
Bella Media
