Her Story
About Amy
After moving to Kansas City, I began my education career as a substitute teacher, which I absolutely loved. I enjoyed the flexibility and the opportunity to meet different kids across various classrooms. A special education teacher I spoke with encouraged me to pursue this path, and I decided this is where I needed to be. I earned my elementary education master's degree and spent 9 years as a special education teacher. During those years, I developed a genuine love of reading and teaching kids how to read. Working with students with dyslexia became a turning point for me. When one of my students went to get identified for dyslexia, it opened my eyes to dyslexia therapy, and that's what I'm most excited about right now. I completed my Seal of Literacy in December, which is required for Kansas educators in elementary education. Since January, I've been working on dyslexia therapy training through Phillips Fundamental Learning Center, and I plan to continue through December to keep gaining knowledge. I recently ended my time with my co-op to find my niche more in the reading specialty area and dyslexic therapist area, moving away from general special education toward a more focused point. I'm currently starting my own tutoring business in basic reading and dyslexia while also seeking employment opportunities where I can do both. My most notable professional achievement so far is finishing the dyslexia therapy training and starting my business.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amy
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise that you have a good work-life balance. You know, you've got to have something outside of work, or it's just going to bog you down.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest problems we have in my industry is kids being motivated to learn. I've had several students that they don't understand why they have to learn to read. I try to put it into perspective for them. Like, some of them want to be athletes, or some of them just want to play on the computer, and I point out to them that they still have to read. The athlete has to read so they don't get taken advantage of. If you're just on the computer, you still have to read. Another problem is when schools do the testing at the end of the year, the students don't understand why they have to try if you don't give them an incentive. That testing is really only for us, it's for the teachers to know. So, why should they do well? They just don't understand the why. If there's no incentive, what's the point?
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