About Literacy Lab

Literacy Lab incorporates Wilson Language Curriculums such as Just Words and Wilson Reading Systems (WRS). These Structured Literacy programs are designed to equip students with essential foundational skills required to proficiently engage with grade-level texts and develop strong spelling capabilities. Developed specifically for students facing severe reading disabilities, including dyslexia, Wilson programs utilize systematic, multi-sensory approaches to address various literacy challenges. They are tailored to meet diverse needs, fostering mastery in phonological awareness, reading comprehension, and writing skills.

About Betsy

Betsy brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as an educator, having started her career in 2019 within West Chicago Public Schools, where she specialized in teaching special education in a resource classroom. Her dedication to students facing reading disabilities led her to pursue certification as a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. Drawing from her own experience as a former Wilson Reading student during middle school, Betsy understands firsthand the transformative impact structured literacy programs can have on students.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Betsy enjoys playing and coaching tennis, gardening, cooking, and cherishes moments spent with her family and church community. Her educational journey through private and co-schools in Chicagoland has equipped her with valuable insights into overcoming literacy challenges and fostering academic success. Betsy is passionate about sharing her story and supporting students in mastering literacy skills to unlock their full potential.

FAQs

  • Literacy Lab offers two main programs from Wilson Language: Wilson Reading System (WRS) for intensive intervention in reading and spelling and Just Words for targeted instruction in decoding and advanced word study. The best program for your child would depend on their specific literacy strengths and needs, which are determined through private assessments with a reading interventionist familiar with Wilson Language programs. Assessments are scored and personalized goals are written based on one chosen program. Both programs are designed to support students at different stages of literacy development, from foundational skills to more advanced reading challenges.

  • No, your child receives services with Literacy Lab without a dyslexia diagnosis. Wilson Language programs such as the Wilson Reading System (WRS) and Just Words are not exclusively for students with dyslexia. While these programs are particularly effective for students with dyslexia due to their structured and multi-sensory approach, they can benefit a broader range of students who struggle with reading and spelling. 

  • Literacy Lab teaches the Wilson Language programs. Wilson programs and the Orton-Gillingham approach are closely linked as both emphasize structured, systematic instruction tailored to individual student needs. Orton- Gillingham is a METHOD as Wilson is a CURRICULUM. They share a foundation in multi-sensory techniques and provide explicit, evidence-based strategies for teaching reading, spelling, and writing to students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities.