Testimonials

I am so grateful for the collaboration and training opportunities that the Springfield Center for Dyslexia and Learning has provided to SPS staff. As the Special Services leadership team has worked to implement intervention options for students with characteristics of dyslexia, Take Flight* has proven to be an excellent choice. The multisensory, structured-literacy approach equips students with the skills and tools they need to be more successful in school. We have seen tremendous growth with students in Take Flight* and look forward to their continued progress. * Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia

Brady Quirk, Director of Special Services at Springfield Public Schools

I started noticing our son, Vincent’s, struggle with letter and sound identification in pre-K. In Kindergarten we really started to watch it. Mid-Kindergarten he ended up having to get a pretty strong eyeglass prescription. We were really hoping that was why he was struggling and that he’d take off, but that didn’t happen. First grade was stagnant. When I would mention it to his teacher, she would agree he was a little behind in reading and writing, but nothing too concerning. She would always state what a great kid he was. Of course he’s great! But, why isn’t he progressing in his reading skills? By this time we had a reading tutor he was attending weekly. Nothing was getting better. Second grade was a game changer. He almost immediately started to realize he was not on par with his peers. He tried to disappear in the classroom. His teacher and I both agreed that something more was possibly going on and we were going to get the intervention he needed. I had been talking to other parents, asking advice from other educators, getting opinions. I kept hearing about Springfield Center for Learning and Dyslexia. As soon as I heard those words roll off his teachers tongue as a recommendation, I knew that’s where we needed to go. I immediately booked a screening. Vincent skipped in and skipped out of that screening a happy boy. When I received the results of the screening stating that he was showing signs of all dyslexic tendencies, I felt relieved. Vincent started tutoring at the Center in early October of 2019. He’s jumped points on the IReady test and doubled his DRA in two months. But that’s not the most amazing part. The most amazing part is his new found confidence and perseverance. I realized he had been a shell of his full potential. Once we explained to him what dyslexia was, he no longer felt stupid or alone. He had a pride about it. We talk about the gift of dyslexia and not the negative. He might fight me on certain things, but he never fights me on going to see Miss Angie. She built him up in a time he needed it the most, and it shows!!

Kim

Our daughter was having difficulty with reading and math in first grade. We had tried several tutors and after several months of persuading her teacher, our daughter finally qualified for an IEP. After a few months, we still felt like her needs were not being addressed and that she needed additional help. A friend recommended that we contact Noel Leif. After a few weeks of sessions, I noticed a big difference in my daughter’s confidence level. Reading became fun for her and I’m happy to say that she has been reading at grade level for over a year now. It has also been invaluable having Noel at Parent Teacher Conferences and IEP meetings. Not having an education background, the meetings and terminology were overwhelming to me. It has been so comforting to have her assistance during the meetings to ask direct questions to the teachers that I would have missed. She is also working in conjunction with the teachers as a team to help challenge and support our daughter’s academic goals. Words can’t express how grateful we are for her knowledge and support!

Beth

Our third daughter was very different in her learning from our other daughters. Her teachers—starting in 3 year old preschool— all said, “She’ll be fine!” After being “that mom” and driving teachers crazy for years, we finally found Noel who led us down the testing path. Thankfully, she was also there to help us when the testing was over and we needed help knowing what to do next! She has worked with our daughter 3-4 days/week for 2 years. Anna looks forward to every encounter with Noel. Having her positive energy and support on our side is invaluable! Noel is a sounding board for a huge variety of issues. She has not only helped our daughter’s confidence and HUGLEY boosted her school achievement, but has helped with navigating the logistics of the dyslexia diagnosis, from communicating with teachers and schools to attending 504/IEP meetings. Noel is great at helping her students and their families. We are SO grateful to have found the Dyslexia Center!

Missi

My son was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 13. Prior to the diagnosis we spent many years watching him struggle and get frustrated with reading and writing. We had tried various tutoring services but results were little to no improvement. We were fortunate to have a friend that referred us to Noel Leif.
She starts with the basics and uses a hands-on technique which was a perfect match for my sons learning style. Not only did she help him with his reading/ writing ability , she also built up his confidence! His attitude changed from "ashamed of his reading ability" to "proud of the gift of being dyslexic"
Sincerely,

Debby

When my son began lessons at the end of his Kindergarten year, he was struggling to recognize letters when they were out of alphabetical order. He was very frustrated in school because reading and writing were so difficult for him. With a year of weekly (three times per week) reading lessons, he finished 1st grade at an Independent Reading Level of Proficient. Now, he is starting 2nd grade and excited to go to school!

Lisa