Jennifer Lambirth is a reading teacher at Northstar Elementary School in Knoxville, Tennessee, who teaches students with reading difficulties stemming from dyslexia. Dyslexia is a language-based learning disorder which can affect the way a person reads, understands words and spells. Several Northstar students in the reading program shared their feelings regarding their reading challenges.
These young students with dyslexia credit teacher with helping them find confidence.
Program helps dyslexics improve communication skills and overcome fear of public speaking
Many students were worried about how other students perceived them because of their poor communication skills. Public speaking is a cause of anxiety in many people, even some who read and speak well otherwise. But for students with dyslexia, reading in front of the class or public speaking can invoke high levels of fear and nervousness. However, all of the students in the program expressed improvement in their reading and overall communication skills and a general reduction in anxiety associated with reading.
Gilbert said having to read or be in front of peers makes her nervous, and Taft said she was really shy and didn’t say anything when asked questions about her dyslexia. Taft nodded her head in agreement to having feelings of self-anxiety and nervousness when she had to read in front of others.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Key takeaways
- A day in the life of a dyslexic student is full of obstacles and challenges.
- Jennifer Lambirth, a reading teacher at Northstar Elementary School in Knoxville, promotes overcoming the fear of reading and speaking to their classmates even outside of the classroom.
- Reading out loud is one of the biggest anxiety issues that presents itself to those with dyslexia.
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