Michele Smith
Michele began peer tutoring mathematics in highschool and continued through college. Soon, she began to see a pattern - math was easy for her because she had a different approach to it than everyone else. Eventually, she saw that what she was doing was getting the same, or better, results as the normal teaching methods, but in a unique way. It was a classic case of "a different means" to the same ends.
She would often watch students struggle through the systems of equations and algorithms they had to learned and then ask them "Why are you doing that?! Look, here is an easier way...", showing them the way she was taught. This was usually followed by moaning and slapping on the forehead and laments of "Man, why didn't I learn it that way? It's so easy!"
During this phase of her life, she became convinced she could find a better way of teaching and learning.
When her first son wanted to learn about letters, there were no programs available that she liked. So, out of necessity, she created her own.
As a daycare provider, she often created educational materials and games for the children. They worked! She taught pre-schoolers their letters and basic sounds just for fun. (This simple, yet very successful flash card game is on our website).
After her children were no longer of daycare age, Michele continued teaching them through homeschooling. The oldest son knew his basic sounds by the time he was a year old. He was reading words at two and stories at four. Needless to say, she needed a program that would keep up with his learning abilities, one that was quick, efficient and comprehensive. What she developed was the beginnings of Valder Learning Systems.
Her second son didn't show any interest at all in the printed word until he was six and wasn't reading until the age of seven.
He didn't really pick up a simple book and read it completely until he was eight.
But Michele used the program she had developed with both her early starter and her late bloomer. Both are now avid readers, reading at adult levels since their mid-elementary grades.
When her second son was beginning to read, some friends asked her to help their children. Before she knew it, Michele had a growing list of students. She discovered that the program she had originally created for her own children worked beautifully for others as well - tots, preschoolers, older children and anyone struggling in school.
Over the past six years, hundreds of local children have learned to read, and succeed, with this unique reading program.
WE DON'T PERFORM MIRACLES...
WE TEACH THE CHILDREN TO PERFORM THEIR OWN!
Things to think about
Resources
Michele's Parent to Parent Columns.
Your questions,
Michele's answers.
