Turning the Tide: Grand View University Celebrates New Graduates with Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement
October 8, 2024
In a significant step forward for education in Iowa, Grand View University proudly announces the graduation of its first cohort of students who have earned the Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement. This specialized program recently equipped twenty-one educators with the skills and knowledge needed to support students with characteristics of dyslexia, a neurobiological condition that often runs in families. Dyslexia is characterized by “difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities” (IDA, 2002).
The endorsement, which is the result of intensive study and hands-on experience, prepares teachers to better understand the unique challenges faced by students with dyslexia and other language-based learning difficulties. The cohort, composed of experienced and highly motivated educators, is poised to make a substantial impact on literacy education across the state of Iowa.
A Critical Need in Education
Dyslexia affects up to 20% of the population, making it one of the most common learning disabilities (NIH, 2020). Despite its prevalence, many teachers and schools lack the resources or expertise to adequately support dyslexic students. This gap prompted Grand View University to take action, becoming the second university in Iowa to offer this comprehensive endorsement program that addresses these challenges head-on.
Dyslexia has nothing to do with intelligence, and people with characteristics of dyslexia can learn to be successful readers. In order for this to happen, early screening and identification of language-based learning difficulties followed by appropriate and evidence-based teaching practices is imperative.
Angie Bakker, one of the recent graduates of the endorsement, is dyslexic herself. “I grew up thinking most of the folks around me were smarter than me because I didn't understand the gift of dyslexia. I lived a bit on the sidelines lacking the confidence to believe I could really help all of my students learn to read, since after all I'm not a fast reader or fabulous speller. But now I know I can help others navigate dyslexia with empathy and compassion. I truly get it because I have walked miles in their shoes.”
A Hands-On Approach
The program combines theoretical coursework with practical experience, ensuring graduates leave with both a solid foundation in dyslexia research and hands-on practice with structured literacy techniques to implement in real-world educational settings. In addition to learning about structured literacy, norm-referenced assessments, and multisensory teaching techniques, participants spent time working directly with students, putting their knowledge into action.
Graduate Samantha Henningsen, who completed the endorsement this year, spoke about the importance of the program. “This work has truly opened my eyes to being able to advocate for all students but specifically students on my caseload that have dyslexic characteristics. I have been able to share my knowledge with colleagues and administrators, as well as, confidently discuss areas that we need to strengthen within our district.” Samantha is a special education teacher in Eastern Iowa. “One of the biggest takeaways for me within our coursework was diving into the how and why behind the way our brain learns to read. I have said countless times to anyone who will listen, ‘We are wired to speak, but have to be taught specifically to read’.”
A Growing Program, A Bright Future
With the growing recognition of the need for dyslexia specialists in schools and AEAs across the state of Iowa, Grand View University is positioning itself as a leader in the field of literacy. The demand for teachers with this endorsement continues to rise, as more school districts seek to comply with Iowa’s new literacy laws that require early identification and support for students with dyslexia.
“I cannot thank Grand View enough and all of our amazing professors. [They] reminded us on the daily that we were on this path for a reason and that what we were pursuing was and is going to change lives! Our state needs individuals who are willing to take on this challenge in turning the tide!” said Samantha Henningsen.
Already, seventeen more educators are putting these sentiments to the test as they pursue the endorsement in the second cohort of the program that started May 2024. As the program continues to grow, its coordinators and instructors will work hard to meet the demand of teachers who are ready to take on this challenge. Educators who are interested in applying for the Summer 2025 cohort at Grand View University should visit their website.
Impacting Classrooms Across Iowa
With their new qualifications, these graduates increase the number of individuals in the state of Iowa with this endorsement to 44 specialists who are making a direct impact on literacy outcomes for students across the state. As awareness of dyslexia increases, the importance of having trained professionals in classrooms and school districts becomes ever more apparent.
One of the graduates, Angie Bakker, reflected, “Understanding the difference in brain mapping between a typical reader and a child with dyslexia deeply impressed on me the importance of a quality structured literacy program. I loved learning how to administer the normed tests and how to interpret the results as we learned about all the cognitive linguistic components essential to becoming a skilled reader.”
The future of literacy education in Iowa looks brighter with this new cohort of dyslexia specialists joining the efforts to turn the tide.
Written by Katy Severe, Instructor of Education at Grand View University, and a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist.
For more information about the Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement Program at Grand View University, visit Grand View University's website.