7037 Professional Parkway, Lakewood Ranch FL 34240 - (941) 538-6822
| About Us |
History
We are educators who have worked with students in grades K-12. Through our work in public
and charter schools, we have discovered that many bright students with learning disabilities
were often not successful in school. Despite their best efforts, these students lacked the
essential reading, math, and writing skills necessary to achieve their full potential.
Through research, classes, and training, we discovered that these students can achieve. The
answer lies in proper assessment, research-backed academic interventions, and instructional
intensity. In other words delivering the right program for the student, at the proper level of
intensity and using multi-sensory teaching approaches.
Based on experiences in the classroom, it was clear that students often did not get what they
needed to succeed. Large classroom sizes and inflated caseloads for special education
teachers and other professionals (Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists
and School Psychologists) were several of the factors that impeded student success.
This led to the founding of The Reading Station in June 2006. The goal of The Reading
Station was to provide students with after school tutoring to build their academic skills. The
focus was initially exclusively on reading, but has broadened to encompass math and writing
skills as well.
The Reading Station has produced a number of success stories. As students gained
academic skills they also gained confidence and self-esteem. Students began to see
themselves as successful, and able to succeed.
For many students, however, school remained a challenge. Even though their skills increased,
their classmates did not stand still and wait for them to catch up. For these students, school
continued to be a place of frustration and struggle. Several hours a week of tutoring was not
enough to replace 30 hours a week at school. Based on these students, and the pleas of
concerned parents The Reading Station decided to develop a full day school program: The
Sea Of Strengths Academy.
and charter schools, we have discovered that many bright students with learning disabilities
were often not successful in school. Despite their best efforts, these students lacked the
essential reading, math, and writing skills necessary to achieve their full potential.
Through research, classes, and training, we discovered that these students can achieve. The
answer lies in proper assessment, research-backed academic interventions, and instructional
intensity. In other words delivering the right program for the student, at the proper level of
intensity and using multi-sensory teaching approaches.
Based on experiences in the classroom, it was clear that students often did not get what they
needed to succeed. Large classroom sizes and inflated caseloads for special education
teachers and other professionals (Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists
and School Psychologists) were several of the factors that impeded student success.
This led to the founding of The Reading Station in June 2006. The goal of The Reading
Station was to provide students with after school tutoring to build their academic skills. The
focus was initially exclusively on reading, but has broadened to encompass math and writing
skills as well.
The Reading Station has produced a number of success stories. As students gained
academic skills they also gained confidence and self-esteem. Students began to see
themselves as successful, and able to succeed.
For many students, however, school remained a challenge. Even though their skills increased,
their classmates did not stand still and wait for them to catch up. For these students, school
continued to be a place of frustration and struggle. Several hours a week of tutoring was not
enough to replace 30 hours a week at school. Based on these students, and the pleas of
concerned parents The Reading Station decided to develop a full day school program: The
Sea Of Strengths Academy.
Meet Our Team
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Susan Stevens
M.S. Nova Southeastern University
Exceptional Student Education
B.S. Frostburg State University
Social Work / Sociology
Susan has worked with children in varying capacities for the
past 25 years. She began her career in social work. Susan
entered the field of education nine years ago and has
worked with students in grades K-12. Her dedication and
commitment to education is well noted by both parents and
colleagues. Her passion is teaching students to read and
meet their full potential. Susan attends conferences and
workshops to keep up on the latest reading research.
M.S. Nova Southeastern University
Exceptional Student Education
B.S. Frostburg State University
Social Work / Sociology
Susan has worked with children in varying capacities for the
past 25 years. She began her career in social work. Susan
entered the field of education nine years ago and has
worked with students in grades K-12. Her dedication and
commitment to education is well noted by both parents and
colleagues. Her passion is teaching students to read and
meet their full potential. Susan attends conferences and
workshops to keep up on the latest reading research.
John Hettler
M.S. Nova Southeastern University
Exceptional Student Education
B.A. University of Richmond
Leadership Studies / Political Science
John has worked as an educator for 10 years working with
students in grades K–12. He has received high praise from
parents for his work in helping students to read.
John's career is focused on providing highly-effective
reading programs to students with reading disabilities.
John attends conferences and trainings regularly to
ensure that he has the latest information and research on
the best reading programs for struggling readers.
M.S. Nova Southeastern University
Exceptional Student Education
B.A. University of Richmond
Leadership Studies / Political Science
John has worked as an educator for 10 years working with
students in grades K–12. He has received high praise from
parents for his work in helping students to read.
John's career is focused on providing highly-effective
reading programs to students with reading disabilities.
John attends conferences and trainings regularly to
ensure that he has the latest information and research on
the best reading programs for struggling readers.
David Stevens
David brings his experience in the corporate world to the
table. David has worked with students as both a tutor and a
coach.
David has attended training in reading intervention
strategies including specialized training in multi-sensory
phonics programs.
David has also worked for a not for profit agency
promoting literacy for at-risk youth. His energy and
enthusiasm for reading is well noted by both parents
and students.
David brings his experience in the corporate world to the
table. David has worked with students as both a tutor and a
coach.
David has attended training in reading intervention
strategies including specialized training in multi-sensory
phonics programs.
David has also worked for a not for profit agency
promoting literacy for at-risk youth. His energy and
enthusiasm for reading is well noted by both parents
and students.
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