End of the year...end of the term...

We are closing in on the end of 2010. What a year it has been! So much has happened here in Middle Tennessee, in Beacon, and even at our house. We have had floods and record heat, we have brought new tutors and staff on board, and our little personal Beacon family has added a child. And now as we enjoy the holiday season, we must also look ahead to the new year. Some things for you to think on:

- how is the school year going for your child so far?
- if they are struggling, what interventions have you tried to help them?
- is it now time to try something new or bring in outside assistance?

Remember, that the older your child gets, and the further they progress in school, the more challenging it can be to catch them up when they are behind. How long is too long to wait? Our general rule of thumb is to seek assistance by the middle of the first grade year. If your child is experiencing severe challenges and/or your teacher has mentioned specific concerns, you might want to seek assistance before then. If your child is older, even in middle or high school, it is NOT too late. Seek out the help they need. Find the best fit for their needs, and go for it. Don't wait, and don't run out of time.

Beacon is here to help with reading lessons and screenings for Irlen Syndrome. We'll be here when you are ready. Call us to schedule your appointment before the end of the year, and we will take 10% off the cost of your lessons. Initial consultation is offered at no cost, and we will tell you if we are not the right fit for your child - we will even assist you in located appropriate resources. Don't wait any longer. Life is not showing any signs of slowing down.

2010 Instructor of the Year

Congratulations to the Beacon Literacy 2010 Instructor of the Year! Heather Faircloth, of Rutland Elementary in Mt. Juliet, TN was given this honor. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of having lunch with Heather and some of the students that she worked with. How fun it is to have pizza with children who are excited about school and about the success they are having in their classrooms and reading! All of the children were thrilled to have a little gathering and talk about their work, praise Heather and the work she did with them, and just to get a little break from the ordinary school day.

Heather is a long-time resident of Wilson County. She resides with her husband, Chris, in Hermitage, TN. They have two children, Ashlyn, 13, and Devan, 7. Having been employed with Wilson County Schools for six years, Heather can honestly say, "I LOVE my job!" She thoroughly enjoyed working with the students at Rultand and making a positive impact on their lives. The ten students that Heather worked with at Rutland made an average gain of 1.12 years, all in 16 sessions or less! We, at Beacon, are looking forward to more success stories from Heather and her students.

Thank you, Heather for your commitment to your students, to your school, and to your community! It is an honor to call you a part of the Beacon Family!