If your family may need help identifying and/or evaluating a need for special education services, see our Child Find process.
Dyslexia
Our district is committed to providing students with dyslexia every opportunity to succeed. Every child is unique and the impact of dyslexia can vary from person to person. We provide students with the appropriate intervention and supports, as well as recognizing the individual need of the student to make sure they are given the educational opportunities they deserve.
What is dyslexia?
The International Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as a "specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge."
What is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT)?
A Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) has a professional credential with the expertise to provide services to students who have difficulty with written-language disorders, including dyslexia. In order for our teachers to become CALTs, they had to receive training for two years, complete 700 practicum hours and pass the the National Alliance Exam for Accreditation and Certification of Dyslexia Specialists.
Our program
Our staff and curriculum promotes self-advocacy, provides scientifically proven, evidence-based intervention and has a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) or therapist-in-training on every campus K-12.
Our Mission
We partner with families, teachers, and educators to identify, support, empower and provide exceptional dyslexia services. By meeting the individual needs of each student, we help students recognize their potential and have the tools they need to achieve success throughout their lifetime.
Our Vision
Our program, as a nationwide model, provides every student identified with dyslexia an opportunity to thrive academically, fostering readers and writers while embracing the culture and values that support and encourage the success of all students with dyslexia.
Stay connected
Our newsletter
The GISD Dyslexia Informer is our monthly newsletter. In it, we share the latest news, great resources, upcoming events and more.
View the October 2021 Dyslexia Informer.
Previous newsletters
- August/September 2021 Dyslexia Informer
- February/March 2021 Dyslexia Informer
- January 2021 Dyslexia Informer
- November 2020 Dyslexia Informer
- October 2020 Dyslexia Informer
- September 2020 Dyslexia Informer
- March Resources
- January 2020 Dyslexia Informer
- October 2019 Dyslexia Informer
- September 2019 Dyslexia Informer
- March 2019 Dyslexia Informer
- January/February 2019 Dyslexia Informer
- December 2018 Dyslexia Informer
- November 2018 Dyslexia Informer
- October 2018 Dyslexia Informer
- September 2018 Dyslexia Informer
Child Find (Special Education Referral)
Our calendar
See our Dyslexia event calendar to keep stay up-to-date with our events.
Resources
Contact us
Assistant Director, Dyslexia
Marcy Eisinger, M.S., M.Ed., LPC, LDT, CALT, SLDS
MEisinger@garlandisd.net
Harris Hill Administration Building
972-487-3347
Mailing Address:
Harris Hill Administration Building
501 S. Jupiter Rd.
Garland, TX 75042
Dyslexia campus contacts
See the tables below to find the dyslexia teacher/therapist for your campus.
High school
| School | Teacher/Therapist |
|---|---|
| Garland HS | Allison Victoria |
| Lakeview Centennial HS | Allison Victoria |
| Naaman Forest HS | Amy Amaro |
| North Garland HS | Debbie Gilstrap |
| Rowlett HS | Regan Lee |
| Sachse HS | Rene Bennett |
| South Garland HS | William Murff |
Middle school
| School | Teacher/Therapist |
|---|---|
| Austin | Lynette Munoz |
| Brandenburg | Julie Fikes |
| Bussey | Deborah Pittman |
| Coyle | Dahlia Zarbo-Offield |
| Houston | Siohban Bennett |
| Hudson | Jennifer Trammell |
| Jackson | Alandra Adams |
| Lyles | Melody Savage |
| O'Banion | Christine Elms |
| Schrade | Roxie Montlavan |
| Sellers | Melissa Turingan |
| Webb | Dianna Walker |