For children struggling with reading, the classroom becomes a place of frustration, not discovery. While other students eagerly pore over stories and lessons, these children are left looking at the words that seem to linger just beyond their reach. The joy of learning can fade, leaving them with self-doubt and stress.
I have witnessed this heartbreaking struggle many times throughout my more than 20 years as a teacher. My desire to help these gap kids — students whose reading abilities weren’t low enough to qualify for additional school services yet not high-performing enough to succeed — led me to begin my own reading program, designed with these children in mind.
I have always enjoyed being around children. Their laughter, cheerfulness, kindness, and positive mindset create a happy environment, and I love being part of a setting that encourages growth. I knew it was my calling once I discovered my love for education.
As a teacher, I enjoy creating a curriculum that truly caters to different learning styles. By using multisensory methods, I can meet the unique needs of every child, giving them the tools to succeed. In the classroom, I quickly noticed the “gap kids” struggling with reading. Many of them were well-behaved children who often went unnoticed, but inside, they were grappling with frustrations over their challenges. Their confidence was declining, and they were losing that spark for learning.
I truly believe in the principle of finding a need and filling it, which led me to start my program, the Reading Ranch. I wanted to create a space where these students could thrive and reignite their excitement for learning. The pathway from dream to reality was not easy, but hard work doesn’t scare me — few can outwork me. My never-give-up work ethic came from my dad, a farmer and cattle buyer with no formal education who never complained and loved what he did.
My husband, Brian, and I started this program out of our home before moving into a portable classroom. It eventually grew to the point where we needed to secure a designated space for the Reading Ranch. It took me 11 years to earn my PhD as we balanced raising our daughters, working endless hours to get Reading Ranch off the ground, and continuously developing much-needed small-group instruction programs.
Many challenges came our way, including a fire, flood, tornado, burglary, and COVID-19. I never gave up. My faith played a significant role in guiding me through the challenges, and I feel blessed to use my talents to help children build stronger reading skills. Watching children’s faces light up when reading and writing are no longer a struggle is incredibly rewarding.
Today, the Reading Ranch has grown to 17 locations throughout Texas. The program is designed primarily for mainstream students not receiving the additional support they need to reach their full potential in traditional classroom settings. We focus on bridging the gap by providing targeted instruction and strategies to enhance their confidence in reading skills.
We strive to create a fun environment where children know they can grow. As I look to the future, I envision Reading Ranch continuing to deliver outstanding services to children who need academic support. By nurturing strong readers and writers, we are opening countless doors of opportunity for their future, equipping them with the essential skills they need to thrive on any path they choose.
Outside of Reading Ranch, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful family. We have three successful daughters and our granddaughters. Brian and I love life in Celina and southern Oklahoma, especially with our expanding pony ranch. With our cats, dogs, horses, mini-ponies, and donkeys, life is wonderfully full and rewarding.
I’m not planning to retire anytime soon because I find immense joy in helping children read — it hardly even feels like work. Seeing children regain their confidence and develop a love for learning makes every challenge worth it.
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