Happy Fall 24-25
Welcome to the first issue of Beyond Words for the 2024-2025 school year.
I am thrilled to lead the Dyslexia Services team in Round Rock ISD as we embark on the new school year! This year, we have expanded our continuum of services to better meet the diverse needs of our students with dyslexia and other related disorders.
Our goal is to equip students with the tools needed to become independent and successful learners. We are very fortunate to have skilled in-district trainers utilizing the Wilson Reading System (WRS) and Reading by Design (RbD).
Our mission is to provide reliable and intentional support in both programming and compliance to ensure student success. We are dedicated to keeping our staff, students, and parents informed about the latest developments in the field of dyslexia, and initiatives taking place within Round Rock ISD.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to support our students.
Warm regards,
Donna M. Wise
Director, Dyslexia Services
Allison Raney
This summer, Dyslexia Instructional Specialist Allison Raney completed a yearlong internship, becoming the district’s second Wilson® Credentialed Trainer, joining Katie Bryan who was certified in 2019. Over the past school year, Raney worked closely with Wilson Senior Dyslexia Training Specialist Donna Mickelwright to certify six district teachers in the Wilson Reading System® (WRS).
“I gained a much deeper understanding of the Wilson Reading System through my trainer internship experience,” Raney said. “My supervising trainer and I were able to certify a group of excellent WRS instructors this past year.”
This fall, Raney has already conducted three WRS Introductory Courses for the district. Throughout the school year, she will mentor a cohort of seven teachers as they complete certification requirements to become Wilson Level 1 Certified Practitioners. This initiative is part of the district’s ongoing effort to meet the learning needs of struggling readers. Additionally, Raney will continue to coach and support the district’s growing team of Wilson-trained Providers of Dyslexia Instruction. This includes her regular publication, Wilson Wednesday, a blog-style newsletter offering ongoing professional development for RRISD WRS practitioners to deepen their skills.
Raney joined Round Rock ISD in 2015 as a third-grade teacher at Elsa England Elementary. She later served as a Reading Specialist at Canyon Vista and Cedar Valley Middle Schools before becoming the Dyslexia Support Provider at Cedar Valley Middle School from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, she joined the district dyslexia team as an evaluator and was appointed as a Dyslexia Instructional Specialist in 2022.
“My passion for this work and the WRS program became clear as soon as I completed my initial training. Now, as a trainer, I’m excited to inspire the same passion in the teachers I work with,” Raney shared. “I’m proud to directly impact the quality of instruction we provide for students with dyslexia in Round Rock ISD.”
Ashli Framjee
Round Rock ISD has adopted an additional MSL program, Reading by Design, to meet the needs of a diverse range of learners with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. With the support of a TEA grant, the district has implemented the Reading by Design program across all Round Rock campuses, training over 107 teachers in just three school years.
To address the growing demand for Reading by Design training, Dyslexia Program Specialist Ashli Framjee recently completed her Trainer Certification through the Region 4 Service Center.
“It’s been an absolute delight to train teachers in RRISD,” Framjee said. “Our Reading by Design teachers are eager to deepen their understanding of dyslexia and provide targeted instruction for students. One of the things I love most about being an in-district trainer is the ability to offer ongoing support throughout the school year. Teachers can rely on support from someone familiar with their challenges. Reading by Design is a powerful program that progressively builds literacy skills by retraining the brain. It continually reinforces previously learned concepts, helping students become proficient readers.”
This fall, Framjee conducted two Reading by Design training sessions and continues to support teachers on every RRISD campus. Together with Cheryl Baker, a colleague in the dyslexia department and fellow program specialist, she also provides ongoing professional development content that teachers can reference throughout the year.
Framjee joined RRISD in 2014 as a first-grade teacher at Spicewood Elementary before transitioning to the fourth-grade team. In 2016, she began providing dyslexia instruction and later joined the RRISD District Dyslexia Evaluation Team. In 2022, she assumed her current role as a Dyslexia Program Specialist.
“I’m passionate about helping students succeed in school,” Framjee said. “As someone with dyslexia, I understand the daily challenges students face. My goal is to provide Providers of Dyslexia Instruction (PDIs) with comprehensive training and ongoing support so they feel confident in their instruction. Equipping teachers with the necessary tools is vital for student success, and I’m committed to ensuring they feel prepared and confident in their craft.”
“We’re fortunate to have in-district trainers to support our staff in Round Rock ISD,” said Donna Wise, Director of Dyslexia Services in RRISD. “The addition of these two dedicated professionals ensures that every campus has fully trained teachers, meeting the highest standards for our students’ education.”
Read&Write is a literacy support Chrome extension available to all learners, but can be especially useful to learners with specific learning needs in reading and writing. Any student in Round Rock ISD cab use the tool. Find out how students in Round Rock ISD can access and use this digital tool using the button below.
October 4 ~ Student/Staff holiday
October 8 ~ SEPAC Meeting
October 14 ~ Student holiday
November 1 ~ Student holiday
November 25-29 ~ Fall Break ~ Student/Staff holiday
December 20- January 6 ~ Winter Break ~ Student/Staff holiday
January 13-31* ~ First Grade Dyslexia Screening
*The SBOE has determined that students in first grade must be screened as close to the middle of the school year as possible, but must conclude no later than January 31 of each year.
Learning Ally
Learning Ally is a free audiobook solution that helps to bridge the gap by providing equitable access to grade-level content.
If your Round Rock ISD student doesn't already have a Learning Ally audiobook account, please contact the campus dyslexia teacher.
Texas State Library & Archives Commission
The Talking Book Program provides free library services for Texans who are blind or have a visual, physical, or reading disability.
For access to this resource, please contact the Talking Book Program part of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, at the link above.
Bookshare
Bookshare makes reading easier. People with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, or other reading barriers can customize their experience to suit their learning style.
If your Round Rock ISD student doesn't already have a Bookshare audiobook account, please contact the campus dyslexia teacher.
Yours Turly, Shirley
Young Readers
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Ann M. Martin
Shirley is a fourth grader with dyslexia. With the help of the school's resource room, and challenges she faces with her adoptive sister, she learns to triumph.
Dyslexia is my Superpower
Young Readers
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Margaret Rooke
Read interviews with more than 100 persons with dyslexia as they share tips for embracing dyslexia which enabling them to thrive in school and life.
