Hello Fellow Teachers and Parents,

Let me introduce myself.

I am Bri Luna, and I’m just like you. I am a mother of three amazing, smart, witty, and funny kids. I am a teacher of over twenty years. Somehow, I was gifted with the most amazing family and career possible.  

Reading disabilities, and my lack of knowledge, impacted both areas of my life in ways I am sure you can imagine.

I had been a dedicated, passionate 5th grade teacher for several years when my own daughter began struggling in school.

I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO!

I had not learned how to teach or really remediate reading in college.

We struggled through hours of homework battles, spelling tests, parent-teacher conferences, and tears through elementary school.

Middle school and high school were even harder. I then began teaching 2nd grade and realized how under-prepared I was to instruct in the art of teaching reading.

I finally began my journey of learning the science of reading.

It wasn’t until my brave, musical, artistic daughter was graduating high school that we realized she was dyslexic. So much damage had been done. So many of my students were in the same place. Their story is tragically common.

Now, armed with a Masters in Literacy, and thousands of hours in trainings, research, and certifications, I am ready to ensure that every parent and teacher knows the science of reading.

I began Reading Rev as a safe haven for parents to find a place of empathy, information, and resources. It is also a place where we teachers can admit we need more information and training. No judgment.

It is up to us to revolutionize our thinking about literacy instruction!  Studies show that approximately 20% of people are on the dyslexia spectrum.  That means that 1 in 5 students sitting in classrooms today will struggle with traditional reading instruction. Currently, only 40% of our nation’s 4th  graders are reading at grade level.

SOMETHING MUST CHANGE!

It is our job as parents and educators to understand how to help. If you wish for every child to have a knowledgeable teacher who provides a systematic, fun-filled, multi-sensory, and research-based approach to teaching literacy, you have found the right place!  Welcome.

Read more about our story here and how it is impacting legislation here.

See Bri present to the Colorado School Board about universal Dyslexia Screeners here.

Teaching Approaches Based in Science

Structured Literacy, a term coined by the International Dyslexia Association in 2016, is the WHAT and HOW of teaching reading. It is a system of instruction that begins with the micro and builds to the macro. Structured Literacy systematically and explicitly teaches reading from the sound/word level to the comprehension of complex sentences and paragraphs. 

Orton-Gillingham is an approach to teaching reading that is hugely beneficial for dyslexics and for ALL students. It was developed starting in 1925 by a neurologist and pathologist named Dr. Samuel Orton and the esteemed educator and psychologist Anna Gillingham.

This approach, like structured literacy, teaches reading at the word level. It allows students to crack the reading code by giving instruction on how sounds (phoneme) are connected to letters (graphemes) in written language. This powerful approach can actually help restructure the neural-pathways in the brains of struggling readers.

Both approaches are:

  • Explicitly and directly taught

  • Systematic and structured

  • Sequential and cumulative

  • Multi-sensory

  • Individualized

  • Diagnostic and prescriptive

  • Repetitive

    Everything Reading Rev stands for and endorses are founded in these philosophies of reading instruction.

IMPORTANCE OF INTERVENTION

When you see a child begin to struggle in school and lag behind, it is terrifying.  It is our job as parents and teachers to recognize that there is a problem and offer immediate help.

According to Sally Shaywitz, literacy guru and author of Overcoming Dyslexia, the essential first step is diagnosing the problem.  The earlier we can do this, the better.  She argues that waiting will only put the child further behind and damage his confidence. 

Optimally, “A child needs help before he fails.” Systematic intervention has been proven to be most successful in grades K-3rd.  However, it is never too late!  Proven research-based strategies have been successfully used to help people of all ages, educational backgrounds, and reading abilities.

The Rev Methods

INSTRUCTIONAL EXPERTISE

Ms. Luna has dedicated the last 20 years to find the best educational practices to help children of all abilities. She found her passion in literacy. Below are her credentials.

  • BA Psychology

  • Masters Degree in Educational Literacy

  • Current International Dyslexia Association- Rocky Mountain Branch Board of Directors

  • LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) Training

  • Accredited through Colorado School of Mines

  • Orton Gillingham Trained

  • MTSS School Coordinator (past)

  • District Read Lead Member (past)

  • CCIRA (Colorado Council of the International Reading Association) Presenter

  • Founder of Reading Rev, LLC 2018

Did you know…

  • 1 in 5 Students

    or 15-20% of the population, has a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia is the most common language-based learning disabilities.

  • 38% of 4th graders

    are described as having below basic reading skills.

    (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

  • 74% of Children

    who are poor readers in 3rd grade, are poor readers in 9th grade

  • 62% of Non-readers

    dropped out of high school.

  • 5% of All Adults

     are “non-literate”.

  • 20% Nationwide

    of the elementary school population is struggling with reading.

  • 20-25% of All Adults

    can only read at the lowest level.

  • Hope Through Legislation

    29 States have passed legislation regarding science of reading instruction