Testimonials / Stories

Woman’s Determination Leads Her to College Despite Doubts
 “In my early school years, I was an average student. Then, as a sixth grader and in the midst of unbearable teasing, I was placed in a special education class and remained there throughout middle and high school. I thought it was the worst day of my life, but it was topped when one of my special education teachers decided to tell our class that we would not be capable of going to college. When I graduated, I decided that the only thing to do would be to prove the teacher wrong….”
Click here to continue Tracy Johnson’s story in text and video.

Students Benefit from a Collaboration
Sometimes it takes a village, and sometimes it takes Echo, Baby Echo and some enthusiastic Wilson teachers. Click here to read about this unique alliance that is raising reading scores in West Philadelphia.

From Apprentice to Mentor: One-time Wilson Student Works Toward Level I Certification
Patrick Lombard has come full circle; from a struggling reader in third-grade to a master’s candidate in elementary education pursuing Wilson certification. Click here to follow Patrick’s accomplishments and to find out how he feels about giving back.

Wilson Around the Globe
Qatar, a small country in the Middle East, boasts the world’s third largest natural gas reserve. Self-designated as the education center of the Arab world, Education City (an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development) aims to be the center of educational excellence in the region. Last year Reading Specialist Lydia Kepich guided The Learning Center School in Education City in their adoption of WRS and Fundations.
To learn more about Qatar, click here.

Joe the Contractor: Building Literacy Skills One Step at a Time
The book is always better than the movie. And yet for Joe, a hard working husband, father and contractor, he had no way of knowing because he could not read that book, nor could he spell, or make lists for his contracting supplies. Click here to read how Joe’s framework for success was constructed with the help of the Literacy Volunteers of East Bay in Rhode Island.

A Policeman’s Journey: Former Wilson Student Achieves Lifelong Dream
Tom Reagan’s lifelong dream of becoming a police officer was constantly delayed by the road blocks and speed bumps presented by his inability to read. With his dream in hand, he found Portland Adult Education, and now, if you find yourself speeding through Portland, Maine, perhaps you might meet Officer Reagan in person. Click here to find out how Tom found himself in the front seat of a squad car.

Edie’s Story: A Determined Spirit
As a single mother raising two sons, Edie was finished making excuses; she was going to learn to read. With the help of a tutor at Project LEARN in RI she did just that. From newspapers to books, and shopping lists to soup cans, Edie’s story is one that will inspire readers of all ages.

Hannah Fuchs: Wilson Reading System Graduate
Hannah Fuchs, a former homeschool student from Illinois, recently celebrated her completion of step 12—the last—of the Wilson Reading System. Her tutor, Bev Menken, asked Hannah and her mother Jennifer to tell their story so that others could be inspired. Bev tutored Hannah once a week while her mom taught more Wilson lessons at home. The teamwork paid off! To read their story, as told by Hannah’s mother, click here.

Samantha Ravelli: Driving Force on Dyslexia Legislation
In 2008 sixth-grader Samantha Ravelli pressed the “yes” button in front of the New Jersey State Assembly in favor of bill A-880, which ultimately established the New Jersey Reading Disabilities Task Force. Read the full story here of this feisty and determined young lady, and her family, and their efforts to get “Samantha’s Bill” into law.

Courtney Wood Overcomes Obstacles to Study Theater Arts
Acting, singing, dancing and reading manuscripts after being diagnosed with ‘multiple disabilities’? Courtney’s love for the theater arts was challenged at every turn. Click here to find out how her determination to read fluently now allows her light to shine.

Mom, Daughter Share Mission to Malaysia
From “Mommy, I can’t read” to “I can do it!” Beth Ann Berkman’s story, as shared by her mother Tammy Berkman, takes us from her first to seventh grade classes in Marble Falls, Texas where she struggled with reading and writing, and winds up with her triumphant speech given at a dyslexia outreach program in Malaysia. Click here to read more about Beth Ann’s journey and how she ended up in advanced classes.

“Tapping” Makes Connection for High-School Non-Readers
Luis and Saio were English Language Learner students struggling to read. With the Wilson tapping method, and consistent review, these two young people soon had their own breakthrough moments, learned how to learn, and even received prestigious academic awards. To read about Luis, Saio, and how they tapped their way to literacy, please click here.

Standing Ovation for Donna Hildreth
The pomp and circumstance of a high school graduation ceremony came at age 39 for this single mother of two. Donna’s story is an example of her ‘keep on trucking’ attitude toward achieving literacy. To give her another well-deserved standing ovation, please click here.

Fundations Has a New Advocate
Tracie G., a substitute teacher from New York, used Fundations^® for the first time in October 2010. Tracie quickly fell in love with the program’s approach to teaching young students the rules and concepts for decoding, encoding, and sky writing. Tracie’s new-found enthusiasm for Fundations led her to write about it on her blog, Tales of a Sweet Girl. To read Tracie’s post, click here.

WRS Grad is College Bound: In Her Own Words
Sarah Schow, of Northborough, Massachusetts, based her college application essay on her battle to overcome dyslexia. She sent it, along with a letter, to Barbara Wilson to thank her for creating the Wilson Reading System^®. Sarah is now beginning a college nursing program. To read Sarah’s college essay and letter to Barbara Wilson, click here.

Ninth Grader Sings Praises of Just Words Program
Samantha Ray details her experience using the Just Words program and recommends it for future high school students. Click here to read more.

Students Pay Tribute to Wilson with a Rap Song
Calling themselves "The Wilson Kids," six students, with the help of reading teacher Ms. Eisele-Cooper and music teacher Mr. Owens, wrote the "Wilson Rap Song." Click here to listen to a sound clip.

Elvira McCoy, Chicago, IL
As an 18-year-old from Colombia, South America, Elvira could not read English. It took thirty-seven years of low-paying jobs and being unable to help her then school-age children, but now Elvira is well on her way to reading to her granddaughter. Read about Elvira’s journey to literacy.

Josh LaMonte
It wasn’t until ninth grade that Josh was able to read a book completely on his own. After years of distressing moments and awkward stares at school, he is no longer a ‘blushing’ reader. Find out how Josh achieved literacy.

A Wilson Reading System Student’s Letter
Jaime Gilbert, a Wilson Reading System student, thanks Barbara Wilson for the WRS program and for giving her a new lease on life. To read Jaime’s letter, click here.