We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachael Mamigonian and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachael, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
When people ask me questions about Dyslexia, they are often surprised to hear how prevalent it is. Affecting 20% of the population, it is the most common learning difference. There is a huge need for change in education when it comes to reading instruction, especially in Colorado. Parents are not always aware of the importance of early literacy skills that contribute toward long term reading success. I make it a point to inform families that reading aloud to children is the best thing that they can do at home to aid in their development. Early identification of risk factors is also a crucial aspect of what I do and I am passionate about making sure signs and symptoms of Dyslexia do not go unnoticed.
What should our readers know about your business?
I knew in my undergraduate teaching program that I wanted to learn as much as I possibly could about elementary reading instruction. After finishing my Bachelor’s degree, I immediately went after a Master’s in Literacy. I was an intervention assistant for 1 year in the school district and then a classroom teacher for 3 years at Rivendell School. The biggest compliment that I received from parents during that time was the reading progress that their children made while in my class. I knew that I had found my gift! I was trained in the Barton Reading and Spelling System and began to tutor students before and after school. I sought out as much information as possible about Dyslexia in order to become an expert who could facilitate conversations with other faculty and families. As part of my graduate program, I served as a literacy coach for my grade-level team and we worked together to start revamping our curriculum. By adding in Dyslexia screenings for Kindergarten and First Grade as well as teaching reading using evidence based best practices, we were making crucial changes! I had a waiting list for tutoring and felt that I should follow my calling to solely pursue literacy, so I decided to leave the classroom in 2019 to start my own business, Reading with Rachael, LLC. I have been providing specialized Dyslexia tutoring in my home office for the last 2 years. The impact of helping students and families one-on-one has been extremely rewarding. It is so fulfilling to know that my work has made a life-changing difference for many children. My school-wide impact has come full circle though, as I am now back at Rivendell School part-time as a literacy consultant where I am continuing to develop curriculum, implement trainings, and provide guidance for staff as well as families.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My husband, Gabe, and I are major foodies and we appreciate all of the amazing restaurant choices in Fort Collins! We are up for anything and love to try all different kinds of cuisine! I especially love to have a nice glass of Rose and a Margherita pizza on the patio at Pizza Vino NoCo! On a nice day, we love to get out on the water and soak up some sun on Horsetooth Reservoir. We have a quirky obsession for escape rooms and have completed most of the ones around town! We love our dogs, Rocky and Rosie and can usually be found walking them around our neighborhood in Windsor.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to all of my students who I have taught over the years. They have inspired me with their hard work and determination. Being Dyslexic, they are up against a challenge every single day but they continue to believe in themselves and overcome obstacles. I learn so much from their high spirits and the strengths that they develop.
Website: www.readingwithrachael.com
Instagram: reading_with_rachael
Facebook: Reading with Rachael, LLC
Youtube: Reading with Rachael
Image Credits
Tina Wood Photography Chy Creative